2021 Swinney Farvie Syrah
** Highly Rated **
Critic Reviews
97 + points, Erin Larkin (Robert Parker Wine Advocate)
"The 2021 Farvie Syrah is lighter and finer than the Mourvèdre, yet it is darker in the glass and more mouthfilling. I suppose, in some ways, the flavor profile here is more expected, yet the tannic structure of the thing is more refined and sleek than I have seen in previous vintages. There are notes of blackberry, star anise, iodine, blueberry, licorice and a slash of bone broth. It also has black pepper and aniseed, but not in the warm-climate framework that we are used to seeing/experiencing from regions like Barossa or McLaren Vale. It is odious to compare, I concede, but important from a contextual standpoint. This is Frankland, with its own signature. Syrah continues to be sourced from the two blocks—Powderbark and Wilsons Pool, both home to the WA clone—the Houghton massal selection. This saw no new oak (as per usual), and comes in at a very modest 13.5% alcohol. It is a profoundly elegant wine now, but it will only be better, more complex, more svelte and more complete as time wears on."
96 Points Ken Gargett (Wine Pilot)
"No doubt the Rhône keeps a close eye on what goes on over here, especially in the Barossa and McLaren Vale. Now, they better start paying serious attention to these guys, although if they do, they might be more than a bit worried by what they see. Such a good range of wines here, and this isn’t even the pointy end stuff! Swinney might just be the most exciting winery to emerge in Australia over the last few years. This hails from specific sites in their Powderbark and Wilson’s Pool vineyards. The fruit is berry sorted and then to a mix of wooden and stainless steel fermenters by gravity. 22% whole bunches are included. Wild fermentation and then twelve days on skins before pressing direct to fine-grained large format French oak, of which 12% was new for 11 months maturation. Deep blood red and maroon in colour, we have notes of black fruits, chocolate, animal hides, earth, leather, spices, cloves and florals. A supple texture and there is immaculate balance at every turn plus fine satiny tannins. Bright acidity runs the full journey and helps to drive the palate with very good length. A decade or more ahead, though a cracker now. This, and other wines in this range, are really putting pressure on their big guns (the Farvie range). The score will surely go higher if you have patience."
** Highly Rated **
Critic Reviews
97 + points, Erin Larkin (Robert Parker Wine Advocate)
"The 2021 Farvie Syrah is lighter and finer than the Mourvèdre, yet it is darker in the glass and more mouthfilling. I suppose, in some ways, the flavor profile here is more expected, yet the tannic structure of the thing is more refined and sleek than I have seen in previous vintages. There are notes of blackberry, star anise, iodine, blueberry, licorice and a slash of bone broth. It also has black pepper and aniseed, but not in the warm-climate framework that we are used to seeing/experiencing from regions like Barossa or McLaren Vale. It is odious to compare, I concede, but important from a contextual standpoint. This is Frankland, with its own signature. Syrah continues to be sourced from the two blocks—Powderbark and Wilsons Pool, both home to the WA clone—the Houghton massal selection. This saw no new oak (as per usual), and comes in at a very modest 13.5% alcohol. It is a profoundly elegant wine now, but it will only be better, more complex, more svelte and more complete as time wears on."
96 Points Ken Gargett (Wine Pilot)
"No doubt the Rhône keeps a close eye on what goes on over here, especially in the Barossa and McLaren Vale. Now, they better start paying serious attention to these guys, although if they do, they might be more than a bit worried by what they see. Such a good range of wines here, and this isn’t even the pointy end stuff! Swinney might just be the most exciting winery to emerge in Australia over the last few years. This hails from specific sites in their Powderbark and Wilson’s Pool vineyards. The fruit is berry sorted and then to a mix of wooden and stainless steel fermenters by gravity. 22% whole bunches are included. Wild fermentation and then twelve days on skins before pressing direct to fine-grained large format French oak, of which 12% was new for 11 months maturation. Deep blood red and maroon in colour, we have notes of black fruits, chocolate, animal hides, earth, leather, spices, cloves and florals. A supple texture and there is immaculate balance at every turn plus fine satiny tannins. Bright acidity runs the full journey and helps to drive the palate with very good length. A decade or more ahead, though a cracker now. This, and other wines in this range, are really putting pressure on their big guns (the Farvie range). The score will surely go higher if you have patience."
** Highly Rated **
Critic Reviews
97 + points, Erin Larkin (Robert Parker Wine Advocate)
"The 2021 Farvie Syrah is lighter and finer than the Mourvèdre, yet it is darker in the glass and more mouthfilling. I suppose, in some ways, the flavor profile here is more expected, yet the tannic structure of the thing is more refined and sleek than I have seen in previous vintages. There are notes of blackberry, star anise, iodine, blueberry, licorice and a slash of bone broth. It also has black pepper and aniseed, but not in the warm-climate framework that we are used to seeing/experiencing from regions like Barossa or McLaren Vale. It is odious to compare, I concede, but important from a contextual standpoint. This is Frankland, with its own signature. Syrah continues to be sourced from the two blocks—Powderbark and Wilsons Pool, both home to the WA clone—the Houghton massal selection. This saw no new oak (as per usual), and comes in at a very modest 13.5% alcohol. It is a profoundly elegant wine now, but it will only be better, more complex, more svelte and more complete as time wears on."
96 Points Ken Gargett (Wine Pilot)
"No doubt the Rhône keeps a close eye on what goes on over here, especially in the Barossa and McLaren Vale. Now, they better start paying serious attention to these guys, although if they do, they might be more than a bit worried by what they see. Such a good range of wines here, and this isn’t even the pointy end stuff! Swinney might just be the most exciting winery to emerge in Australia over the last few years. This hails from specific sites in their Powderbark and Wilson’s Pool vineyards. The fruit is berry sorted and then to a mix of wooden and stainless steel fermenters by gravity. 22% whole bunches are included. Wild fermentation and then twelve days on skins before pressing direct to fine-grained large format French oak, of which 12% was new for 11 months maturation. Deep blood red and maroon in colour, we have notes of black fruits, chocolate, animal hides, earth, leather, spices, cloves and florals. A supple texture and there is immaculate balance at every turn plus fine satiny tannins. Bright acidity runs the full journey and helps to drive the palate with very good length. A decade or more ahead, though a cracker now. This, and other wines in this range, are really putting pressure on their big guns (the Farvie range). The score will surely go higher if you have patience."
