"The 2023 Swanesang is 100% Syrah from a site four kilometers from the ocean on granite soils, planted at slightly higher density than elsewhere. Using 90% whole-cluster fruit, it was aged 80% in cement vats and 20% in barriques, with the former racked twice. It has a perfumed bouquet with a mixture of black and blue fruit and hints of black olive coming through with aeration—beautifully delineated but quite backward. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip, driven by marine-influenced black fruit. It’s powdery in texture toward the finish that’s redolent of a fine Cornas. Very persistent, this is a classy offering." -Neal Martin