2012 Swift Blanc de Blancs, Orange

This is the second disgorgement from the '12 vintage — a cool, wet season that broke a prolonged drought and proved especially favourable for sparkling varieties. Sourced from the Newbridge vineyard at 1000m, it has spent 12 years on lees and was finished with a low dosage of 1.25g/L. Candied grapefruit, apple crumble and pumpkin seed lead, followed by hints of red peanut skin and developing tertiary depth. Bright acidity churns through the core, energising the orchard fruit. Subtle notes of biscotti and walnut shell lend a gentle bitterness, while a tonic-like spritz appears at the finish. There is unmistakable chardonnay presence here; green apple and lemon pith still grip with vice-like precision. A beautiful late-disgorged wine, expansive and assured, with a long road still ahead. Drink to 2032.

97 points Shanteh Wale for Halliday Wine Companion, July 2026

More about this wine

This is the second disgorgement of the Swift flagship, a 100% Chardonnay from a Printhie vineyard at 1000m altitude.

The hand-picked fruit was fermented in stainless steel at temperatures not exceeding 15 degrees and spent six months on lees without malolactic fermentation before tirage bottling. This was followed by eleven years in bottle on secondary fermentation lees. The dosage liqueur is based on a barrel fermented and foudre matured 2023 Chardonnay for added richness and texture.

The wine is dry in style and can be kept for at least a decade from release.

About Swift

The Swift sparkling wines have established themselves as some of the best traditional method sparkling wines made in Australia. Made by the Swift family of Printhie, the wines draw on fruit grown in the continental cool-climate of Orange, NSW.

Printhie Wines was established by Jim and Ruth Swift in 1996 when they planted the first vines on the family’s property near Molong in the Orange region. Their sons Ed and Dave returned to the family business in the early 2000s and have overseen the expansion of the estate to 33 hectares. Today four estate vineyards span elevations from 630 to 1,070 metres in a region defined by altitude. The continental climate and long, cool growing season produce wines of natural aromatic lift and restrained structure. With experienced winemaker Drew Tuckwell at the helm since 2008, Printhie has become regarded as one of the region’s most consistent producers across its wide range of wines.