The 2021 Syrah is a haunting, glowing crimson in the glass. I love the tannins here—they're so good that they compel me to look beyond the fruit and to the structure, which is a rare occurrence. There are notes of pink peppercorns and Sichuan peppercorn, and the fruit has purity, clarity and a supple flow through the mouth. The tension through the finish makes this wine a superb example of Australian Syrah. It is mineral and structured, devoid of heavy oak impact and layered with ductile tannins, supple fruit and spice. This was made with 100% Syrah, with a small percentage of whole bunch (22%) and 8% new oak. "We buy a new barrel each year, and this is where it goes," says winemaker Rob Mann. The Swinney Syrah includes some of the new clonal material in the vineyard. Planted in the Powderbark vineyard is the WA Selection—originated from Houghton. This gives the texture (and is what goes into the Farvie Syrah). It's monochromatic new material, not complex but very strong in certain aspects. It's very handy to have a selection of clones to work with: 470 (Rhone isolates), 174 (Rhone isolates) the latest ripening, none included in 2021, Waldron (from Craggy Range, New Zealand).

96+ points, Wine Advocate (April 2023)

No doubt the Rhône keeps a close eye on what goes on over here, especially in the Barossa and McLaren Vale. Now, they better start paying serious attention to these guys, although if they do, they might be more than a bit worried by what they see. Such a good range of wines here, and this isn’t even the pointy end stuff! Swinney might just be the most exciting winery to emerge in Australia over the last few years. This hails from specific sites in their Powderbark and Wilson’s Pool vineyards. The fruit is berry sorted and then to a mix of wooden and stainless steel fermenters by gravity. 22% whole bunches are included. Wild fermentation and then twelve days on skins before pressing direct to fine-grained large format French oak, of which 12% was new for 11 months maturation. Deep blood red and maroon in colour, we have notes of black fruits, chocolate, animal hides, earth, leather, spices, cloves and florals. A supple texture and there is immaculate balance at every turn plus fine satiny tannins. Bright acidity runs the full journey and helps to drive the palate with very good length. A decade or more ahead, though a cracker now. This, and other wines in this range, are really putting pressure on their big guns (the Farvie range). The score will surely go higher if you have patience.

96 points, Wine Pilot (November 2022)

An impressive wine from the first whiff through to the long, swooping finish. Fine but persistent tannins bookend the palate, and the feel and fruit flavours are mouth-watering and lingering, yet despite all this, the wine is only medium-bodied.

95 points, Wine Companion (August 2022)

This is a brilliant release. The length of the finish and the extensive curl of tannin – matched to bright, pretty fruit, lots of bass and lots of treble – pushes it straight into elite territory. One sip and I was hooked. Blue, black and red berried fruit, a little red liquorice, lots of cloves and assorted spices. It’s exotic, it’s lively, it’s deep and it’s long. This is a river you want to step into.

95 points, The Wine Front (October 2022)