When there's an emphatic consensus amongst wine critics that Australia has a new benchmark producer from an unexpected region, it's worth taking notice.
Swinney Wines, in Western Australia's Frankland River, has become something of a century-in-the-making overnight success story in Australian wine.
The Swinney family's roots in Frankland River stretch back over 100 years, with George John Alexander Swinney being a pioneer of the region, settling there in 1922. Now run by fourth-generation brother and sister Matt and Janelle Swinney, they are propelling their relatively new family label to great new heights.
With sixth-generation winemaker Rob Mann crafting the wines, and viticulturalist wizard Lee Hazelgrove tending the vines, they've been setting the bar for the region in recent times with their magnificent (and highly awarded) suite of wines.
Mike Bennie has been quoted as saying the Swinney Grenache is, "one of Australia’s finest versions of the variety born of excellent farming and a unique place." No small praise for a WA winery when South Australia has such depth and history with the variety.
It's a magical mix of the right people with the right varieties in just the right place at the right time that has seen Swinney catapulted into the spotlight in recent years.
"There is no question that this vineyard and the style being crafted under one of Australia's finest winemakers, Rob Mann, have redefined syrah and grenache. These are now the established benchmarks and should be on the buy-now list for anyone with an interest in contemporary Australian wine."
- Ray Jordan (The West Australian)
Their 2021 release brought with them another raft of unanimous praise. The 2021 Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre from Swinney have received top scores from multiple publications, most recently with each one getting a huge 96 points from Erin Larkin at The Robert Parker Wine Advocate.
We have a small allocation of these benchmark, elite WA reds to share with you today, as well as a limited amount of our Swinney Tasting Pack that includes one bottle of each at a great price.
You'll find their 2022 Frankland River Riesling amongst the bunch as well, unsurprisingly with equally great accolades from the wine media and set to age gracefully in the cellar if you wish.
It's rare that a producer emerges to the front of the pack in such a short span of time. And unnervingly, the Swinney label is only just starting to take flight. We strongly recommend them and encourage you to explore this gem of Western Australia right here.
These are new Australian classics in the making.
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