Swinney Farvie Syrah 2020

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 possible because of the fastidious approach adopted by owner Matt Swinney in the vineyard where the search is for the best bunches on the vines.  It’s an obsessive and uncompromising approach which yields just 3 tonnes to the hectare.  A wine that redefines Syrah in much the same way the Grenache has redefined that variety. Ray Jordan - The West Australian