Swinney Syrah 2021

Swinney Syrah is a Frankland River Shiraz from a near-ideal growing season.

Rob Mann rates 2021 close to ideal for the variety here. Fruit was hand-harvested from selected parcels planted to clone 470, Waldron and Jack Mann's heritage massale Syrah. Although Frankland River is cool-climate continental, shade cloth on the western side softens the light and lowers the temperature around the bunches. Berries were sorted and emptied by gravity into small wooden and stainless steel fermenters, with a barely noticeable 22 per cent whole bunch for structure. Twelve days on skins, then pressing straight to fine-grained 600-litre demi-muids, 12 per cent new, for 11 months. One writer has called this more Hermitage than Grange, which tells you the pitch.

Coiled and deeply scented: peppery spice, silky blue fruit, smoked meat, a touch of whole-bunch lift, all integrated with chalky tannin and impressive palate weight. Serve at 16 degrees, decanted. Pair it with roast lamb, grilled beef or duck with olives.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.