Swinney Grenache 2023
- 96
- $46
- Drink by: 2024-2034
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Been said before, but this far distant region in Western Australia is not supposed to be making some of the best Grenache in Australia. There must be plenty of noses, in both the Barossa and McLaren Vale, that are very much out of joint. Seeing this latest release is not going to make them any happier. This wine is just beautifully perfumed with notes of strawberries, cherries and plums. We see some milk chocolate, cassis and raspberries emerging on the palate. Seamless, with fine balance, good focus and real energy, there is a delightful juiciness here and a lingering finish with the silkiest of tannins. A gorgeous Grenache for drinking into next 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.
