Swinney Syrah 2023
- 94
- $46
- Drink by: 2024-2034
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A superb Syrah (Shiraz) from Frankland River, which includes newly introduced clones, 470 and 171. The fruit comes from their Wilson’s Pool and Powderbark vineyards. 22% whole bunches, wild fermentation, twelve days on skins before eleven months in large format oak, 7% new. Deep maroon in colour, the nose offers an array of flavours, weaving amongst notes of mulberries, chocolate, dried herbs, tobacco leaves, dusty roads, plums and a hint of aniseed. Well balanced, this is a wine of medium length, sleek tannins, good focus and much appeal. A ten year proposition.
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.
