2024 Swinney Farvie Syrah

The 2024 Swinney Farvie Syrah is one of the most profound and complete Syrahs produced in Australia — a flagship wine that continues to place Frankland River among the world’s elite regions for the variety. Sourced from meticulously selected parcels within the Powderbark and Wilson’s Pool vineyards in Western Australia, the wine is crafted by Rob Mann with obsessive attention to site expression and structure. The 2024 release saw 67% whole-bunch fermentation, wild yeasts and maturation in large-format seasoned French oak, resulting in a Syrah of extraordinary mineral precision, savoury complexity and controlled power. The nose is intensely aromatic and hauntingly layered, revealing blackberry, blueberry and dark plum alongside cracked black pepper, violet and aniseed spice. There are deep savoury notes of smoked meats, graphite, nori, olive tapenade and wet slate, with the whole-bunch component adding lifted herbal spice and floral complexity. The aromatic profile feels simultaneously brooding and ethereal, sitting stylistically far closer to great Northern Rhône Syrah than traditional rich Australian Shiraz.

On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied with immense concentration wrapped in incredibly fine, high-tensile tannins. Dark berry fruits, plum skin and crushed rock minerality unfold across a tightly wound ironstone spine, while vibrant acidity gives the wine remarkable freshness and drive despite the warm 2024 season. Compared to fuller, oak-driven Australian Shiraz styles, the Farvie emphasizes savoury detail, structure and mineral tension over overt richness. The finish is extraordinarily long and persistent, carrying lingering notes of graphite, spice, black olive and ferrous earthiness with monumental ageing potential.

Ben’s Recommendation:
At Wine More Cellars, this is unquestionably one of the benchmark Syrahs in Australia — and increasingly one of the great Syrahs of the world. Compared to richer Barossa or McLaren Vale Shiraz styles, Farvie offers astonishing finesse, savoury complexity and Rhône-inspired structure while still delivering immense depth and concentration. The 2024 vintage is especially compelling because it combines the muscle and intensity of a warm year with remarkable freshness and precision, thanks to Swinney’s meticulous vineyard work and earlier picking decisions. Critics have already described it as “spellbinding” and “a superstar,” with serious long-term ageing potential.

Already breathtaking with extended decanting, but this is absolutely a wine for long-term cellaring. Drink now with patience or cellar confidently through 2045+ as it develops further leather, olive, spice and tertiary savoury complexity. Exceptional with venison, lamb shoulder, chargrilled beef or richly savoury dishes.