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International Fine Wines
International Fine Wines
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Swinney Farvie Syrah 2020

$164.00
Out of stock
Swinney Farvie Syrah 2020
Producer Swinney
Region, Country Frankland River, Australia
Bottle Size 750ml
Case Size 6
Product Code 20334-750

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.


Unlike the bush-vine Grenache and Mourvèdre, the Syrah is trellised, although there are plans to plant single-stake Syrah in the future. The vines are meticulously managed, and the fruit was sorted in both the vineyard and winery. Although Frankland River is cool-climate continental, Swinney also uses shade cloth for the Shiraz on the western side, creating a soft, mottled light to protect the skins and lower the temperature in the bunch zone. Rigorous shoot positioning and bunch selection further refine the unique expression so critical to the personality of this fruit.


Sorted berry-by-berry, Rob Mann incorporated 67% whole bunches to build structure and texture while promoting bright and spicy aromatics. Everything was gravity-fed to a French oak vat and two demi-muids for wild fermentation. The wine spent only 11 days on skins before it was basket-pressed directly to fine-grained, large-format French oak, where it was raised for 11 months before bottling.


Swinney Farvie Syrah 2020

Reviews

"This is a Syrah that will make the wine world sit-up and think what is possible for this variety in Frankland River. In fact, it is one of a number from several producers showing a new direction and exploration for Syrah from this region. The typical Australian model for Shiraz has been tossed out here. It has an incredibly deep and dense colour, and once again the regional ironstone, ferruginous character comes through. There’s an inky pepperiness with a subtle liqueured prune character and dark chocolate notes, albeit slightly understated. The texture and brightness of the palate is a feature. It is also a wine that is unafraid to show its tannins. Winemaker Rob Mann says it is inspired a lot by what is drunk in Europe. He has adopted a similar oak regime to the Grenache and makes it in a reductive way so there is no pumping over. The whole bunches and berries go into upright older oak vats where it is left achieving a slightly carbonic style. Of course, all this is possib
98 points, Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot
“An utterly gorgeous nose awaits. Ferrous, blood plum, rust, pastrami, blackberries in summer, black cherries and mulberries too. 2020 was warm and yields were low. Across the board, berries were small. An odd observation perhaps, until you encounter the tannins. This is concentrated and textured, with fine-grit tannins that shape the palate and encase the fruit. It insists on a decant as it’s tight as a drum currently – you will miss the complete spectrum of texture if you decide to wade right in. This is a monumental wine of gravitas and poise, the flavour all clustered on the back palate. I suspect we haven’t seen the best of it yet. Drink 2022–2042”
97 points, Halliday Wine Companion
“Very deep, saturated purple-red colour with a deep and brooding bouquet of dark-berry fruits, licorice and ferrous, ironstone, dried-blood-like nuances. The wine is very powerful and firmly structured, with abundant firm tannins. A bigger wine than expected; concentrated, power-packed and very persistent”
96 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review

Reviews

"This is a Syrah that will make the wine world sit-up and think what is possible for this variety in Frankland River. In fact, it is one of a number from several producers showing a new direction and exploration for Syrah from this region. The typical Australian model for Shiraz has been tossed out here. It has an incredibly deep and dense colour, and once again the regional ironstone, ferruginous character comes through. There’s an inky pepperiness with a subtle liqueured prune character and dark chocolate notes, albeit slightly understated. The texture and brightness of the palate is a feature. It is also a wine that is unafraid to show its tannins. Winemaker Rob Mann says it is inspired a lot by what is drunk in Europe. He has adopted a similar oak regime to the Grenache and makes it in a reductive way so there is no pumping over. The whole bunches and berries go into upright older oak vats where it is left achieving a slightly carbonic style. Of course, all this is possib
98 points, Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot
“An utterly gorgeous nose awaits. Ferrous, blood plum, rust, pastrami, blackberries in summer, black cherries and mulberries too. 2020 was warm and yields were low. Across the board, berries were small. An odd observation perhaps, until you encounter the tannins. This is concentrated and textured, with fine-grit tannins that shape the palate and encase the fruit. It insists on a decant as it’s tight as a drum currently – you will miss the complete spectrum of texture if you decide to wade right in. This is a monumental wine of gravitas and poise, the flavour all clustered on the back palate. I suspect we haven’t seen the best of it yet. Drink 2022–2042”
97 points, Halliday Wine Companion
“Very deep, saturated purple-red colour with a deep and brooding bouquet of dark-berry fruits, licorice and ferrous, ironstone, dried-blood-like nuances. The wine is very powerful and firmly structured, with abundant firm tannins. A bigger wine than expected; concentrated, power-packed and very persistent”
96 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review

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