2021 Swinging Bridge William J. Shiraz

93 pts
Trophy-winning, elegant cool-climate Syrah from one of Orange's finest producers.
4.0
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
1 Review

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Description

Swinging Bridge stole the show at the 2023 Orange Wine Show, winning the Trophy for Best Exhibitor, but also the Trophy for Best Wine of Show for this deliciously classy Shiraz.

Named for winemaker Tom Ward's son, this is in every sense a 'cool climate' style of Shiraz, with destemmed fruit and a large whole berry component preserving the wine's freshness and pretty perfume.

It's not without punch and flavour though, and surely represents some of the best value in the Orange region!

Best Wine of Show at the 2023 Orange Wine Show

93 points - "Cracked black cardamom pods, blackberry and cherry skin. Winter pine, fresh bay leaf and wild raspberries. There is a slinkiness across the palate and acidity that screams, ‘Drink more of me.' The wine's cool-climate shape brings together freshness and drinkability with a hint of savoury bresaola/cured meats on the finish and silky tannins. Classy." - Shanteh Wale (Halliday Wine Companion)

Customer Reviews

4.0
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 1 review
Total 5 star reviews: 0 Total 4 star reviews: 1 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
1 review
  • MP
    MARTA P.
    Verified Buyer
    1 year ago
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Delicious drop

    Dark berry fruit, spice, licorice.

    Dry, full body, fresh acidity, soft tannins.

MEET THE WINE

The Swinging Bridge Winemaker Series, like their namesakes, are unique. They reflect the best of the Orange Region, capturing the essence and terroir of the vineyard. Like Will, Tom’s son, this cool climate Shiraz is both vibrant and generous, it is complex and has a youthful energy that shows it is destined for a bright future. This Shiraz has integrated notes of spice and white pepper that perfectly
complement the dark and red fruit. Aged in French Oak for nine months, developing an intricate complexity, this is a wine that will reward cellaring.

EXPLORE THE VINTAGE

The William J Shiraz comes from the Wandoo Vineyard (650m) on Amaroo Road. It comes from Block 1 (Clone SA 1127) and Block 3 (Clone Minato). The blocks are picked separately and treated differently although they ripen on a fairly similar timeframe. The rows are North to South and are Vertically Shoot Positioned with a permanent spur cordon.

APPRECIATE THE WINEMAKING

The fruit is picked by machine in the cool of night and processed first thing in the morning to keep the fruit at a cool temperature. It is destemmed into bins and tipped into the fermenters to try and maintain as many full berries as possible. The ferment is cold soaked for 3 days and then allowed to ferment and warm up to 28C for fermentation. It
is then pressed off just before the end of the ferment to tank and then transferred to barrel. French Oak puncheons are used with about 20% of them new. The wine is left to mature in barrel for 9 months with 2 rack and returns. Barrels are then tasted and the best barrels and parcels are allocated to the William J Blend.

ENJOY THE CHARACTERISTICS

Colour: vibrant ruby with purple rim
Nose: perfumed raspberry and cherry
Palate: cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper
Food Pairing: summer bbq, or a lamb roast

Price Bracket $31 to $40
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Shiraz
Country Australia
Region Orange
Australian State NSW
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 93
Alcohol 13%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2022
Closure Screw Cap

Swinging Bridge Wines

Swinging Bridge is one of Orange’s premier producers.

This producer has always served up extremely well-priced, classically styled wines, but recent years has seen the quality and variety go to another level.

Owner/winemaker Tom Ward has a vision for Swinging Bridge to be renowned for its premium Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and for innovation, and they're making great strides.

Their Chardonnay is already as good as any in the region; the Pinot Noir, while early days, is winning trophies and shows great promise, the innovative '# Series' is full of all sorts of deliciously quirky experiments.

An excellent producer and a leader for the future for Orange and NSW wine.

Tom Ward of Swinging Bridge Swinging Bridge

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