2024 Swinney Syrah

The Swinney family have been farming out here in Frankland River for generations, and they know their land inside out. The Syrah comes from the Wilson’s Pool and Powderbark vineyards – dry-grown vines on rocky ironstone soils that naturally keep yields low and flavours tight. A mix of old massale selections and newer clones adds a bit of depth and complexity to the blend.

The fruit is hand-picked, sorted by hand, and gravity-fed into small fermenters. About a third of the bunches go in whole, all wild-fermented, then left on skins for around 12 days before being pressed to large, mostly old French oak for 11 months of ageing.

It’s a Syrah that feels alive – dark fruit, spice, a touch of olive and that earthy, ferrous note that seems to come from the ground itself. Medium-bodied, firm and savoury, it’s beautifully put together but still feels natural and unforced.

96 points
"an absolutely superb Frankland River Syrah"
- Ken Gargett (Wine Pilot)

95 points
"This feels very 'syrah' all up. It's beautifully composed"
- Mike Bennie (Halliday Wine Companion)