Swinney Grenache 2021
- 95
- $46
- Drink by: 2022-2032
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The Grenache coming from the Swinney team, both at this level and with their Farvie range, has stunned winelovers and there is no let-up here – another absolute cracker. From their Wilson’s Pool vineyard, the fruit is handpicked, destemmed and berry sorted into small wooden and stainless steel fermenters, by way of gravity. 25% whole bunches with a natural fermentation. The wine spends fourteen days on skins before it is pressed directly to fine grained, large format, seasoned French oak for eleven months maturation. The final blend is 90% Grenache, 7% Mourvèdre and 3% Syrah. A vibrant crimson hue, this offers a fully fragrant nose with cranberries, exotic spices, pepper, florals, raspberries, a hint of coffee grinds plus a touch of the delicatessen. Such an alluring nose. A mid-weight style with good focus and a seductive texture, through to a lingering finish, which is just slightly drying, thanks to the tannins, which are a mix of the silky and sandy, something we do see with this variety. This should drink superbly for at least a decade.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
