Swinney Syrah

Background

"SwinneyÕs 2020 Syrah was hand-harvested from a selection of parcels planted to a range of clones, including 470, Waldron clonal material and Jack MannÕs heritage massale selection of Syrah. Unlike the Grenache and Mourv�dre, the Syrah is trellised (although there are plans afoot to plant single-stake Syrah in the future). In the winery, the berries were sorted and emptied to small wooden and stainless-steel fermenters via gravity. A barely noticeable 31% whole-bunch component was integrated to build structure. The 2020 spent two weeks on skins before being pressed directly to fine grained, 600-litre demi-muids (13% new) for 11 months."

Tasting Note

"A striking Syrah where cracked black pepper, plum and dark berries meld seamlessly into a faint background of discreet and subtly handled oak. With a medley of black cherry, plums and spice, the silken textured palate combines power and finesse while sculpted, chalky tannins taper to an impressively long finish. ItÕs shaping up to be really outstanding and would not look out of place in a line-up of topflight Northern Rh™nes."