Swinney Syrah 2023

Swinney Syrah is a Frankland River Shiraz drawn from the Wilsons Pool and Powderbark vineyards.

Different clones give different bunch structures, and the parcels here take in 470, Waldron and Jack Mann's heritage mass selection, which is part of how structural complexity gets built. Shade cloth shields the fruit from the harsh afternoon rays, creating soft mottled light, cooling the bunch zone and holding freshness, spice and typicity. The Syrah is trellised, unlike the Grenache and Mourvèdre. Sorted berries went by gravity into small wooden vessels and stainless steel fermenters, with 22 per cent whole bunch for structure beneath the lustrous fruit. Twelve days on skins, then 11 months in 600-litre fine-grained demi-muids, seven per cent new.

Purple flowers and ripe forest fruit with black olive, hung meat and graphite beneath; the palate runs peppery and juicy with coiled power and assertive mineral tannin. Serve at 16 degrees, decanted. Good with roast lamb, aged beef or a lentil and eggplant braise.

*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.