Swinney Riesling Frankland River 2026
- 94
- $40
- Drink by: 2026-2036
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If ever a producer was evidence that it really does not take long to become a cult favourite, if you can make the wines to do so, these guys are it. That said, no doubt there were many years and endless work behind the scenes to achieve this. A range of wines like these are not concocted from smoke and mirrors. Intriguingly for a winery from the Frankland River region, it has not really come on the back of some of the most obvious varieties, such as Riesling. That said, with the quality of this wine, it could well have. The colour is a shimmering pale lemon and the wine fresh and intense, ever-so-finely balanced. On the nose, we have aromas of lemons and grapefruit, florals notably jasmine, wet slate and honeysuckle. Attractively perfumed, but equally well structured with good balance, focus, intensity and a lingering finish with juicy acidity. That intensity is maintained throughout this wine of good length. Enjoy over the next seven to ten years.
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.
