While South Australia, and more specifically McLaren Vale, might be the most well-known region in Australia for Grenache, Swinney—located in the remote Western Australian region of Frankland River—are quietly making Grenache not to be missed. As a variety, Grenache is a bit of a chameleon, able to produce bold, highly concentrated styles, or alternatively, more Pinot-esque, floral examples, delicate on the palate with pale color in the glass. The trending style in Austrlaia in recent years, like many other Grenache-dominant regions in the world, has often swung from the former to the latter. The 2022 Swinney Grenache seems to walk the ridgeline between the two styles, avoiding any indication of over-ripeness or jammy fruit, while still showcasing fantastic concentration of red fruit flavors—red cherry, juicy red plum, wild thimble berry—balanced so well by gently gripping tannins and bright, fresh acidity. Faint dried orange peel, licorice and potpourri add complexity, and the finish is long and savory. While this is one of Swinney’s “Estate” wines, the winemaking has the same level of rigor and attention as the “Farvie” top bottlings: the fruit is handpicked from dry-farmed bush vines, often in several passes to ensure that only the bunches that have reached full phenolic ripeness are harvested, and any destemmed fruit is inspected berry by berry. The wine is fermented with 15% whole cluster and aged in older French oak vats for 11 months. This is an excellent and versatile food wine that would pair with so many dishes: grilled vegetables, roast chicken, paella, or even wood-fired oven pizza. Swinney might just be putting Western Australia on the global wine map for the newest region to keep an eye on for Grenache enthusiasts.

Elegant yet wild at heart, this Grenache brings serious energy. It's bright, lifted, and juicy - with silky red fruit, gentle spice, and a dusty edge that feels like a warm breeze though old vines. It reminded me of a great Chilean red: rugged in soul but polished in style. There's a quiet confidence here - structured, fresh, and endlessly drinkable. A beautiful balance of earth and brightness that will keep you coming back for more.

This is a little bit of a mid-point stylistically for Grenache, it's neither the lighter and juicier sort of Pinot-adjacent style, nor is it fat, rich, and over extracted. The nose is definitely more opulent and rich, a lot of fruit there with a little bit of a stewed quality to it, but it stops short of being jammy or fat. Cherry, blackberry, purple flowers, and a touch of more neutral barrel. The body is overall medium-light with a lot of fruit, but a bit of a cedarwood in the back. The fruit is dark and rich, very ripe with a moderate tannin grip. This is serious and absolutely begs for some food to be had with it. There's just a great level of acidity for all the fruit that's just pushing through the whole palate and driving everything up a notch. Absolutely sensational, and for the price a really compelling late-week bottle.