Swinney Farvie Syrah 2020

Fourth Generation Swinneys, siblings Matt and Janelle, grew up working alongside their parents and grandparents on the family farm at Franklands, gaining a deep respect for family, farming and the region. Growing and making is a way of life for the Swinney family, so it’s no surprise that even when they ventured further afield to other parts of the world for their respective careers, this special place was always going to draw them back. Today, Matt and Janelle have assembled a uniquely skilled team and are focussed on producing wines that reflect their home and which, ultimately, redefine what is possible from the Frankland River region. This is a remarkable expression of Australian Shiraz and one that puts Western Australia right back in the conversation regarding benchmarks for this variety. Where the two previous vintages were drawn exclusively from Swinney’s Powderbark vineyard, the 2020 includes one-third Syrah from Wilsons Pool, which delivered a slightly fleshier profile this year. Regardless, only a selected area of soil in both blocks is earmarked for Farvie, with the vines fostered in a way that nourishes and balances the fruit to optimum levels to allow dry farming. The vines are on a similar soil profile to the Grenache and are planted to a range of clones, including Jack Mann’s (winemaker Rob Mann’s grandfather!) heritage massale selection. Deep colour. Fresh lifted blackberry, brambly, roasted walnut aromas with attractive bush garrigue, minerally/ lacquer aromas. Very precise and polished wine with pure saturated blackberry, blueberry fruits, some roasted walnut notes, fine plentiful graphite firm tannins and integrated linear fresh acidity. The fruit folds around the tannins very well. A very modern style with power, density and torque to last the distance. An emerging classic. Drink 2024-2032. – Andrew Caillard, The Vintage Journal, 96 points The Finer Details Style – Red Wine Varietal – Syrah Country – Australia Region – Frankland River, Western Australia Vintage – 2020 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 14%