SWINNEY Farvie Grenache 2018

Robert Parker Score: 96+ points

Reviewer: Erin Larkin — June 2024 Week 213 Jun 2024

Drink 2024–2038

The 2018 Farvie Grenache has now been in bottle since some time in 2019, and when the wine was released, it caused a stir. Firstly, it was premium and priced accordingly. Secondly, it was intentionally making a statement about the quality of Frankland River as a premium Grenache-producing region, and it landed with good effect. The wine was warmly received, because it not only showed the prowess of sensitive winemaking and detailed viticulture, it also displayed a regional personality that was distinct from the established regions of Barossa and McLaren Vale within the context of Grenache. So here, years after release, is the first Farvie vertical.

On the nose, the wine has evolved, but slowly. It is both floral and ferruginous, as it's inextricably shaped by the red ironstone soils and gravels in which the fruit is grown. Most pleasingly, on the palate, the wine shows that it is evolving very slowly indeed, and far from descending into the meaty, carnal space that Grenache can go to, at pace, it is holding purity of fruit and chalky tannins at the very core of the wine. It's impressive, to say the least. Graphite and black tea through the finish, and the tannins are, one must say satisfyingly, the last thing to fade into the memory they're chalky, a little chewy and very fine. Great. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.