Description
Frankland Estate was established in 1988 by Barrie Smith and Judi Cullam who continue to be actively involved in every aspect of the vineyard and winery. They are now assisted by their daughter Elizabeth Smith, son Hunter Smith and a small, hardworking team who enjoy the diverse and idiosyncratic challenges associated with working in a family business. The winemaking philosophies at Frankland Estate reflect these influences as well as the hard-earned lessons gained from some 17 vintages in the Frankland River region.
The winemaking approach is based on the principle that the most significant characteristics of a wine come from the soil and the vineyard environment. The goal is produce wines that reflect nature rather than the hand of the winemaker. The commitment is for sustainable farming and to work the land in accord with the cycles of nature. Viticultural practices resulted in organic certification in 2009 while the 2010 vintage wines being released with the certified organic “bud” logo.
Riesling wines from the Frankland River region are renowned for their intense varietal flavors and crisp fresh acidity. The Frankland Estate “Isolation Ridge” Vineyard Riesling is consistently ranked among the best in Australia and has won widespread critical acclaim.
Sourced specifically from two clones planted in 1988, this world class Riesling is a little different as 10% of the fruit is barrel fermented in neutral oak and all of the components are left on lees 10 months for additional texture and complexity.
98 points #26 Top 100 World Wines 2024 James Suckling! Already the nose has an enormous depth of white peach fruit, honeysuckle and citrus blossom aromas, new nuances emerge with each swirl of the glass. Super-concentrated, medium-bodied palate with a totally compelling interplay of creaminess from long lees contact with juicy stone fruit and pink grapefruit character, plus mineral acidity. The very long, salty finish pulls you back for more of this masterpiece. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
94 points Wine Advocate! This is one of two dry single-vineyard Rieslings that Frankland Estate makes, along with the Poison Hill. The 2021 Riesling Isolation Ridge is powerful, textural and rich, with layers of preserved lemon, salted pink grapefruit, Granny Smith apples, crushed gravel, black tea, eucalyptus leaf and white pepper. It is structured and austere and shows the line and poise that Rieslings from this area so often achieve. The phenolics through the finish leave a real desire to chew and move after it’s gone…