SWINNEY Syrah 2021

Robert Parker Score: 96+ points

Reviewer: Erin Larkin — April 2023 Week 16 Apr 2023

Drink 2023–2043

The 2021 Syrah is a haunting, glowing crimson in the glass. I love the tannins here—they're so good that they compel me to look beyond the fruit and to the structure, which is a rare occurrence. There are notes of pink peppercorns and Sichuan peppercorn, and the fruit has purity, clarity and a supple flow through the mouth. The tension through the finish makes this wine a superb example of Australian Syrah. It is mineral and structured, devoid of heavy oak impact and layered with ductile tannins, supple fruit and spice.

This was made with 100% Syrah, with a small percentage of whole bunch (22%) and 8% new oak. "We buy a new barrel each year, and this is where it goes," says winemaker Rob Mann. The Swinney Syrah includes some of the new clonal material in the vineyard. Planted in the Powderbark vineyard is the WA Selection—originated from Houghton. This gives the texture (and is what goes into the Farvie Syrah). It's monochromatic new material, not complex but very strong in certain aspects. It's very handy to have a selection of clones to work with: 470 (Rhone isolates), 174 (Rhone isolates) the latest ripening, none included in 2021, Waldron (from Craggy Range, New Zealand).