2024 Swinney Mourvedre, Frankland River

This comes from dry-grown bush vines, was wild fermented, and spent eleven days on skins; matured in used, large-format oak barrels. Violet floral lift, scents of game meat, a good dose of cinnamon, garam masala, dried cranberry, dark cherry and cola. The palate is similarly set up – chewy and dusty with slender tannins, a core of dark fruit and woody spice, game meat finishes and is accompanied by herbs (fresh, dried and cool). It's a finely tuned expression, pure and fine boned, detailed with fruit, spice and savoury elements. Fantastic drinking.

95 points Special Value Mike Bennie winecompanion.com.au

The Swinney Mourvèdre from Frankland River is a rare and captivating expression of this Mediterranean variety in Western Australia, crafted with the precision and detail that have made Swinney one of the most exciting names in Australian wine. The Swinney family has farmed in Frankland River since 1922, and today their vineyards are recognised for producing fruit of exceptional character thanks to meticulous viticulture, dry-grown bush vines and a strong commitment to sustainability. While Grenache and Syrah are the better-known stars of the estate, Mourvèdre has quietly become one of their most intriguing bottlings.

Planted on ironstone gravel, loam and clay soils at elevations around 250 metres, the Mourvèdre vines are dry-grown and low-yielding, producing small, intensely flavoured berries. Frankland River’s cool nights and warm days allow the variety’s thick skins to ripen fully without sacrificing freshness, giving the wine both depth and definition. Winemaking is deliberately restrained, with hand harvesting, gentle extraction, wild fermentation and maturation in large-format French oak to highlight perfume and structure over oak influence.

In the glass it is deep crimson with purple edges. The nose is aromatic and complex, showing dark cherry, blackberry and mulberry layered with lavender, thyme, earth and a savoury, gamey edge typical of Mourvèdre. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied with dense fruit at its core, framed by firm yet polished tannins and vibrant acidity. Flavours of black plum, spice, graphite and dried herbs carry through to a long, savoury, mineral finish.

Food pairings play to its robust, earthy style: slow-roast lamb shoulder, venison ragù, chargrilled kangaroo, or vegetarian dishes like mushroom and lentil stew or roasted eggplant with miso. With its structure and concentration, this wine will cellar beautifully for 12 to 15 years, evolving into a layered, savoury wine of great complexity.