Description
Swinney isn’t just another vineyard—it’s a gutsy, go-big-or-go-home operation set on a vast grazing property in Frankland River, deep in Western Australia’s Great Southern. The Swinney family—Graham, Kaye, and their kids Matt and Janelle—have been on this land since 1922, but in the ‘90s, they decided sheep alone weren’t cutting it. Enter 160 hectares of vines, spread across four vineyards, including the famed Powderbark Ridge, planted in ‘98 with the help of ex-Hardys winemaker Peter Dawson.
While plenty of their fruit ends up in the hands of premium winemakers, the best stuff stays put, turned into world-class wines by Rob Mann—yes, that Mann, grandson of WA wine royalty, Jack Mann. And let’s just say, he knows what he’s doing.
Here, Swinney’s bush-vine grenache and mourvèdre defy expectations, proving that these varieties can thrive in this rugged landscape. The reds are bold yet detailed—layered with ironstone minerality, fine-boned tannins, and a savoury edge that keeps things interesting. Shiraz and riesling are stars too, of course, but it’s the sheer difference in these wines that makes them so thrilling.
Here is a three-pack of their excellent and highly-rated reds for you to get acquainted with this excellent WA producer.
- 2023 Swinney Grenache
- 2023 Swinney Syrah
- 2023 Swinney Mourvedre
2023 Swinney Grenache
This is arguably the best Grenache produced in Western Australia and now one of the most consistently excellent examples in the whole country.
Swinney have in recent years risen to the top of WA's winemaking ranks, and with the enviable combination of Rhys Thomas, one of the most respected viticulturists in the West, Rob Mann, a sixth-generation winemaker who's name is synonymous WA wine, and their remarkable, ironstone-soiled, Frankland River bush vines, it comes as no surprise.
The Swinney Grenache is at once powerful yet svelte, with a unique ferrous character that is unique to this renowned vineyard. The reviews for this Grenache are consistently exceptional, and it is a must-try for any Grenache lover.
96 points
"Outstanding grenache has been the calling card of Swinney, drawing gaze to their wonderful vineyard in Frankland River and rewriting the code with their medium-bodied, perfumed and succulent styling... With all this, an urgency to gulp – the wine, again, a high water mark for elegant reds of Australia." - Mike Bennie (Halliday Wine Companion)
96 points
"The pretty much perfect season in Frankland River has resulted in some of the best grenache yet released from this region. This is certainly a case in point... A ripper."
- Ray Jordan (www.rayjordanwine.com.au)
95 points
"The Swinney vineyard in Frankland River has rewritten the map for Australian grenache, pulling focus from the traditional South Australian heartland and shining a light on WA's remote south-west..."
- Nick Ryan (www.theaustralian.com.au, Best Wines of 2024 & Top 20 Red Wines Over $35, November 2024)
2023 Swinney Syrah
The Swinney family’s dedication to showcasing the potential of Frankland River shines in the 2023 Swinney Shiraz. Crafted by the expert team of Rob Mann and Rhys Thomas, this wine is a stellar example of Syrah from one of Western Australia’s most exciting producers.
Sourced from dry-grown vines on the Swinney Wilson’s Pool and Powderbark vineyards, this Shiraz brings together a mix of mature Massale Selection Syrah and newer clones, adding complexity and depth. Meticulous vineyard practices, like the use of shade cloth to protect from the afternoon sun, and careful winemaking choices, such as 22% whole bunch fermentation, wild yeasts, and aging in large-format French oak (just 7% new), all contribute to its layered profile.
A deep, vibrant purple in the glass, it opens with an aromatic swirl of black pepper, salted liquorice, and a touch of nori. On the palate, it’s a symphony of flavours—ripe mulberries and blueberries meld with fennel seed and Szechuan pepper, while fine tannins and a cool, mineral undertone carry the wine to a long, satisfying finish. It’s silky, savoury, and utterly compelling.
Ready to enjoy now but built to age gracefully, the 2023 Swinney Shiraz is an impressive display of skill, passion, and the unique character of Frankland River Syrah.
96 points
"This excellent syrah includes the newly introduced clones 470 and 171, which contribute to a new level of complexity. It’s been made with a light winemaker’s touch and only a tiny amount of new French oak to spice things up. Brilliant and bright with such a vibrant palate profile."
- Ray Jordan
95 points
"Deep, dark, inky and opaque in the glass. Heady aromas of mulberry, blueberry, graphite, ferrous earth, Asian spice, nutty oak and bramble. Full bodied, plush and opulent in flavour. Fabulous concentration and balance."
- Aaron Brasher (The Real Review)
94 points
"Defined by its elegance, and by its finesse. It tastes of peppercorns, black cherries, maybe some plums, and definitely rounds of florals, twiggy spices, redcurrant, and cloves. It feels velvety but the fruit makes an impression, as does the dry rake of its tannin. It’s light, structural, and intense at once. In short, it’s impressive."
- Campbell Mattinson (The Wine Front)
2023 Swinney Mourvedre
The team at Swinney firmly believe that great wine comes from great fruit - for them, it's as simple as that.
Grown on Swinney’s dry-grown bush vines in ironstone-laden gravelly loam, this Mourvèdre hums with earthy energy. Aromas of fresh plums and white pepper are layered with savoury hints of blood pudding and wild herbs, pulling you right into the vineyard. On the palate, it’s all about complexity and finesse—think pomegranate molasses, juicy berries, and a sprinkle of Chinese five spice, all wrapped up in fine, powdery tannins and a rusty, ferrous edge that speaks to the soil.
This wine is built with care: handpicked fruit, wild fermentation with 30% whole bunches, and a gentle 11-month rest in large-format seasoned oak. It’s unfined, minimally filtered, and as authentic as they come—pure Mourvèdre, without a hair out of place.
If you’re after a red with character, this is it. Pair it with something bold like spiced lamb chops or pour a glass and revel in the rich, savoury layers all on their own. For all lovers of a luscious, rich and spicy red, you'll definitely find a lot of drinking pleasure within.
95 points
"A very fine example of the variety – deeply flavoured, touched with floral and game meat aspects, distinctly herbal and savoury and yet imbued with pitch-black berry fruitiness... Beautifully balanced and epic in drinking."
- Mike Bennie (Halliday Wine Companion)
95 points
"Yet another remarkable Rhone variety expressed perfectly from Frankland River. The aim appears to have been to present this as true a reflection of the vineyard as possible... It all contributes to a beautifully expressive wine capturing the distinctive ferrous regionality and the soft supple fruit of the variety with a little dried herb and sage bush lift."
- Ray Jordan (www.rayjordanwine.com.au, August 2024)
94 points
"This is about as polished an expression of Mourvèdre as you will come by... It has an admirable freshness as well, and for all its complexity it somehow manages a grapey quality. That’s a good thing. And this is a very good wine."
- Campbell Mattinson (The Wine Front)
| Price Bracket | $41 to $50 |
| Type | Red |
| Region | Great Southern |
| Australian State | WA |
| Feature |
High Score |
| Size | 9 |
Swinney
The Swinney family - Frankland River, WA Swinney
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