2016 Swift Vintage Sparkling

96 pts Trophy!
An exceptional Australian sparkling with an impressive run on the show circuit this year.

Price:
Sale price$70.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

If you needed definitive proof that the high-altitude vineyards of Orange are producing world-class sparkling wine, this is it. The 2016 Swift Vintage hasn't just won a few medals; it has absolutely dominated the 2025 show circuit. We are talking Best Sparkling trophies at the Royal Queensland, Sydney Royal, NSW Wine Awards and the Orange Wine Show (where it also took out Best Wine of Show).

The secret here is patience. Winemaker Drew Tuckwell and the Swift family left this wine on lees for a staggering eight years before disgorgement. That extended slumber is what transforms a good sparkling into a great one, building those complex layers of baked pastry, brioche and texture that you usually have to look to Champagne to find.

A blend of 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Noir, it balances power with precision. As Nick Ryan put it in his Top 100 Wines of 2025, it offers "piercingly pure grapefruit, lime juice squeezed on chalk... wrapped in croissant dough." It is structured, complex and undeniably one of the genuine stars of Australian sparkling.

96 points - "Top 100 Wines of 2025 The Swift family and winemaker Drew Tuckwell have done more than anyone to seed, shape and substantiate the idea that the elevated vineyards of Orange could be a source of world-class sparkling wines. And they’ve done it with scintillating, thrilling wines like this. Piercingly pure grapefruit, lime juice squeezed on chalk, Granny Smith apples and nougat wrapped in croissant dough. It wears its eight years on lees lightly and could easily push on for more. A genuine star of Australia sparkling." - Nick Ryan (The Australian)

96 points - "Top 100 Wines of 2025 The Swift family and winemaker Drew Tuckwell have done more than anyone to seed, shape and substantiate the idea that the elevated vineyards of Orange could be a source of world-class sparkling wines. And they’ve done it with scintillating, thrilling wines like this. Piercingly pure grapefruit, lime juice squeezed on chalk, Granny Smith apples and nougat wrapped in croissant dough. It wears its eight years on lees lightly and could easily push on for more. A genuine star of Australia sparkling." - Nick Ryan (The Weekend Australian)

"Best Sparkling Trophy Royal Queensland Wine Show 2025 Best Sparkling Trophy Sydney Royal Wine Show 2025 Best Sparkling Trophy NSW Wine Awards 2025 Best Sparkling Trophy Orange Wine Show 2025 Best Wine of the Show Trophy Orange Wine Show 2025 Best Single Vineyard Wine Trophy Orange Wine Show 2025" - Trophy Room (Australian Wine Shows)

The combination of a citrus core from chardonnay complimented by the
red fruit highlights from pinot noir produces a lovely fruit profile. Add in
the 8 years of lees ageing in bottle to build the baked pastry, brioche
character and textural complexity. Soon after disgorgement it has a latent
power and structure that will blossom with time as the Vintage typically
does. Everything is in place and perfectly proportioned.
Analysis Alc – 12.5%, pH – 3.01, TA – 8.3gL, RS – 3.5gL
Cellaring
After 8 years of lees ageing this wine has developed wonderful complexity.
Now that it has been disgorged it will continue develop – more along the
lines of typical bottle maturation. It should drink well as it evolves over the
next 5-10 years

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type Sparkling
Country Australia
Region Orange
Australian State NSW
Feature High Score
Trophy Winner
Reviewed By The Australian
Critic Score 96
Size 750ml
Vintage 2016
Closure Cork

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