2025 Swinney Margaret River Chardonnay

95 Points - Ray Jordan, rayjordanwine.com.au

“This opens with a slightly savoury nose with hints of brioche, marzipan and light stone fruit. The palate is fine and pristine, with a subtle savoury, nutty and mealy character, supported by some lees influence. All Gingin clone, planted in 1984 from cuttings sourced from Leeuwin Estate, this is a vineyard of remarkable intensity and purity. Winemaking is deliberately uncomplicated, with high solids and natural yeasts, allowing the inherent intensity of the vineyard to shine. It is a richer, riper style, with flesh, personality and character. Slightly lower in acid than many Margaret River chardonnays, but with excellent richness and complexity.”

95 Points - Ken Gargett, WinePilot

“From the Swinney’s new project in Margaret River, the fruit comes from their vineyard, purchased in 2022, which sits on the banks of Wilyabrup Brook. The Chardonnay in this vineyard was planted in 1984 and is the Gingin clone. The planting density is 2,800 vines per hectare. The team picked a wonderful vintage to kick things off, 2025 proving to be yet another exciting year in the region. The fruit was a whole bunch into French oak barriques, 25% of them new. The wine then spent nine months on lees with 25% undergoing malolactic fermentation. As with all Swinney wines, production is limited to several hundred cases, so do not hesitate. The colour is a gleaming yellow gold. It is immediately obvious that even in Margaret River terms, this is an elegant and refined style of Chardonnay. On the nose we have aromas weaving through gentle stone fruit touches, hints of cashew, melon, florals and a flick of peach pit. There is just a hint of chalky earth in support, well in the background. The wine is beautifully textured, has balance, precision and length, with good energy and a lingering finish. This will easily provide pleasure over the next eight to ten years.”