Frankland Estate Single-Vineyard Release

“Ooh la de da. It’s now a Syrah,” quipped Gary Walsh on tasting the latest edition. The 2017 Isolation Ridge- back when it was plain old Shiraz – cleaned up at the 2019 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards, you’ll recall, picking up three trophies including Best Shiraz. The Wine Front critic’s tongue-in-cheek remark doesn’t detract from his reverence for this “very impressive wine” which is “sweetly fruited and fragrant, but savoury and packed with stony tannin, cool acidity and fresh, juicy raspberry length”. Yep, that’s the trademark class right there.
The change in nomenclature is no flight of fancy. Frankland Estate’s style has always been perfumed, silky, elegantly restrained yet deep flavoured, with a yin and yang of sweet fruit and savoury nuances. This has been heightened by the healthier, happier and stronger vines as a result of organic viticulture. A modest rise in yields has allowed longer hang times, giving fruit the time needed to ripen well but slowly. Combined with the cooler aspect of the southern part of the Frankland River region, the family is achieving fresher, crunchier and brighter wines.
In the cellar, shallower ferments aid in gentle extraction at lower temperatures providing finer tannins. In the mid-noughties the 300-litre hogsheads were traded in for 500-litre puncheons; the move towards larger oak has seen us graduate to a 3,500-litre foudre in ‘18. These little tweaks matter – but you only make the right tweaks when you’re right on top of your vineyard and what’s needed to make it shine. Isolation Ridge has been lovingly farmed for more than 30 years with a combined family experience of 120 vintages. “This kind of viticultural intimacy, required to make truly great wine, is the sort that can be seen in our team at Frankland Estate,” says Hunter Smith. “Our daily routines in the vineyard and winery show great thoughtfulness and minute attention to detail. This level of fine tuning and knowledge only comes from living and breathing the vineyard life we live.”
These exciting steps with Syrah, combined with the  exceptional and increasingly lauded 2018 vintage, was enough to convince the family that a SmithCullam Syrah was due. It’s been 10 years since a red has been released in tribute to founders Judi Cullam and Barrie Smith. It shows how seriously the team takes the selection process for this wine. Was the faith well placed? “It’s cool and long, distinctly ‘mineral’ and firm to close,” declares Gary Walsh. “A new benchmark for this producer.”
It seems improbable to get this far into a Frankland Estate offer before chancing upon a mention of Riesling. Here we have three from the 2019 vintage, a challenging year whose cool finish led to the retention of particularly high natural acidity levels. Not a problem for the crew at Frankland Estate, who left the fruit to hang a bit longer to glorious effect. The reviews are yet to start rolling in from the usual suspects, but suffice to say all the usual purity, precision and detail are there in spades.
The offer is rounded out with the 2017 Olmo’s Reward, the Cab Franc-dominant blend Huon Hooke declared “Concentrated, essency, dense and powerful, it lingers very long on the farewell”, while James Halliday proclaimed it “a distinguished wine”. Both dished out 96 points – but who’s counting?
Even with this embarrassment of riches, there’s loads more depth to dig into within the Frankland Estate range – all of it detailed below. The accomplishments here are remarkable, and we’re honoured to present you with this latest offer.

NEW SINGLE-VINEYARD WINES

2019 RIESLING VINTAGE
A typical winter and spring ensured some good vine growth and yield potential. A dry summer ensured classic medium- to small-sized berries with good fruit set. The cold nights through the summer and early autumn retained extremely high natural acidity levels and we made the decision to gain additional ripeness to bring on lower acidity prior to harvest. For Riesling this typically meant some higher than normal sugars and higher than normal acidity. It was a challenging season; patience and our 30-plus years of Riesling experience resulted in an outstanding Riesling harvest. We picked the Riesling between 10th March and 7th April. – Hunter Smith, Frankland Estate

2019 Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Riesling RRP $45
This wine is 100% Riesling from the Isolation Ridge vineyard at Frankland Estate. Riesling vines from two different clones were planted in 1988 on undulating north- and east-facing slopes with duplex soils of ironstone gravel over a clay subsoil. A number of trellis systems are used throughout the vineyard, which is situated 256m above sea level. The cool nights and long, slow ripening periods typical of the Frankland River region allow maximum flavour development while maintaining distinctive vibrant acidity The vineyard is farmed according to certified organic principles and this is reflected in the clarity and complexity of the pristine fruit.
Grapes are pressed immediately on arrival at the winery, with the juice left to settle in tank overnight before being racked to fermentation vessel. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures (less than 15°C) over 8 weeks with minimal intervention in order to obtain the purest expression of the fruit. The wine is then left on its lees for eight to nine months. A small parcel was fermented and aged in (neutral) oak foudre for the same time. These parcels obtain complex textural components and greater opulence
. – Hunter Smith, Frankland Estate

This exudes such pristine life from the glass with elegant, floral notes and fresh lime juice, sliced yellow grapefruit, green apples and powdery bath salts. The palate has a sleekly defined and attractively pithy core of lime-juice flavours with an exceptionally long finish that holds such juicy, pristine citrus-fruit flavours. So long. From organically grown grapes. Drink over the next decade or more. Screw cap. 97 points. Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com April 2020

2019 Frankland Estate Poison Hill Riesling RRP $45
Poison Hill Vineyard lies on the northern edge of the Frankland River township. Its distinctive name comes from its location on a hill where the Heart-leaf poison bush is found, which is poisonous to all but indigenous animals. This tiny 3ha Riesling vineyard is planted on a unique white clay and weathered quartz soil, which is reflected in a complex, alluringly perfumed and silk-textured wine. Like all vineyards in the Frankland river region it benefits from the cool nights and long, slow ripening period that promote maximum flavour development while maintaining the distinctive vibrant acidity.
The fruit was lightly pressed and allowed to settle overnight before being racked to fermentation vessel. The wine was then fermented at low temperatures (less than 15°C) over 8 weeks with minimal intervention in order to obtain the purest expression of the pristine, organically grown fruit from the Poison Hill vineyard. . – Hunter Smith, Frankland Estate

A very pristine nose with aromas of crushed stones, white pepper, lemons, yellow grapefruit and lightly spiced pastry. The palate has striking acidity that floods in early with plenty of citrus-dominant flavours and then chisels in tight, before launching long into the finish. Like a baseball pitcher’s wind up, it lands right in the strike zone! From organically grown grapes. Drink over the next decade. Screw cap. 96 points. Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com April 2020

2019 Frankland Estate SmithCullam Riesling RRP $62
100% Riesling grown on the Isolation Ridge Vineyard at Frankland Estate. Only made in the most suitable vintages, fruit for this wine was sourced from Geisenheim clone Riesling vines planted in 1988. This clone is renowned for retaining high levels of acidity throughout the growing season.
Handpicked when ripe in the early morning and whole bunch-pressed for fermentation in a 1000-litre French oak ‘foudre’ over four weeks. Towards the end of fermentation, when the ideal balance of sugar, fruit weight and acidity had been achieved, the wine was chilled to arrest fermentation. The wine remained on lees in barrel for nine months to gain additional complexity and texture.
A complex, beautifully balanced combination of fruit intensity, complexity of flavour and alluring finish. A wine of exceptional elegance and poise where texture is enhanced and massaged throughout by the combination of fruit integrity, natural acidity and a well-crafted retention of residual sugar. This “off-dry” (16g/L residual sugar) style results in enhanced fragrance and aromatics. It has tension and energy at the same time as presence and a salivating “moreishness”. – Hunter Smith, Frankland Estate

With striking clarity and purity, this is the sort of Riesling you can get lost in, merely by breathing in the aromas of fresh sliced limes, white peaches and grapefruit, as well as nuances of white flowers, gun flint and spice. The palate has a similarly complete and composed style, leading you along with pristine lime, apple, white-peach and fresh-pear flavours. Long and effortless, this is all so pleasurable. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 96 points. Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com April 2020

MUSEUM RIESLING

2010 Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Riesling RRP $68
A touch of reduction on opening, giving way to crystalline minerality, fresh cut lemon and talc; dry and uncompromising laser-like acidity provides great energy, drive and length; purity is the key, with the hallmarks evident of another classic Isolation Ridge. 95 points. James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion August 2011

2009 Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Riesling RRP $68
The wine is still unbelievably young. Bright straw-green, beautifully poised and balanced on ballet shoes of acidity, the lemon/lemon curd flavours of the wine providing top-class hedonistic pleasure. 96 points. James Halliday, Halliday Magazine September 2019

THE REDS

2018 Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Syrah RRP $45
With three clones of Syrah now planted at our Isolation Ridge Vineyard across seven small, hand-tended blocks, the resulting Syrah has complexity and refinement. A sniff of Viognier (4%), some whole bunches (7%) and 15 months’ maturation on lees in 3,500-litre foudre, is a culmination of much experimentation and experience over the past 30 years. The resulting wine is one of style and real integrity. The wine’s intent is to demonstrate our viticultural consideration without forcing any point; rather, reflecting the hands-off nature in which its crafted. – Hunter Smith, Frankland Estate

Perfumed and peppery, dark cherry and blackcurrant, jasmine and a little apricot. It’s medium bodied, sweetly fruited and fragrant, but savoury and packed with stony tannin, cool acidity and fresh juicy raspberry length. It’s a very impressive wine, with perhaps a bit more to come. 94+ points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front April 2020

A striking, fine white-pepper edge to the intense dark berries with bergamot and black-tea notes, too. The palate has a very plush, fine bed of tannin that wraps around concentrated blackberries and dark plums. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 94 points. Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com April 2020

Oh boy, when you get a good year down in the Great Southern, it really does show in the wines. This one is a real breakthrough for Frankland Estate. The wines over the years have been consistently very good, but this one is in another zone. It’s medium bodied and so exquisitely elegant. Spicy plum notes and grainy, minerally tannins running deep. Texture with a fine deft touch. Outstanding. 96 points. Ray Jordan, The West Australian May 2020

Medium-weight in the glass, pale-purple colour with red edges. Loads of spice to the nose: white pepper, aniseed, cinnamon and blackberries. It’s soft and spicy when sipped – though serious and sinewed at the same time. Purple berries and black cherries, a spine of dried herbs to match its finely grained tannins. Delicious. 95 points. Nick Butler, The Real Review March 2020

2018 Frankland Estate SmithCullam Syrah RRP $120
While the Isolation Ridge Vineyard wines are the benchmark of Frankland Estate, a new release of SmithCullam breaks new ground for the winery and is regarded as a culmination of our experience and confidence both viticulturally and in winemaking. A particularly exceptional portion of Syrah from among the best parcels of Isolation Ridge was identified and bottled under the SmithCullam label as a tribute to  founders Barrie Smith and Judi Cullam.
This release is crafted from the original east-west facing “Winery Block” Syrah (94%) planted on Isolation Ridge in 1988. The row orientation gives shading throughout the day resulting in finesse to the fruit profile. This is enhanced by vine age, a small addition of Viognier (5%), and a drop of Mourvèdre (1%). There is an underlying power and authenticity that comes from this, certified-organic, 30-year-old site. A lightness of touch and juiciness of fruit is retained through the 15-month maturation in 3,500-litre foudre. Isolation Ridge Vineyard sits high in the landscape on rugged ironstone soil, providing a ferrous minerality that infiltrates the wines when handled tenderly. – Hunter Smith, Frankland Estate

The quality of tannin is what marks it out as a special wine. It’s all stone and graphite, a landslide of wonderful tannin, wrapped in succulent black fruit, perfume of jasmine and cracked black pepper. It’s cool and long, distinctly ‘mineral’ and firm to close. A new benchmark for this producer. 96 points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front April 2020

This has a very composed, complete feel with attractively spicy and savory nuances, cast across bright red-plum and berry aromas. The palate is very focused with intense, red-fruit flavours, delivered in a fresh and smooth mode. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 93 points. Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com April 2020

A wine of enormous concentration and flavour impact, yet it does this with a medium body. Ripe satsuma spicy plum characters and just a little licorice. It has a subtle gamey, meaty minerality in the palate with a deep succulent middle. Fine and so elegant. It’s another groundbreaker from this vintage for Frankland Estate. 97 points. Ray Jordan, The West Australian May 2020

Deep crimson-red colour with brighter edges. A bouquet of tension showing graphite and raspberry liqueur, cool-climate pepper, bay leaf and sage. A beautiful wine on first sip – tightly-wound, unfurling at its own pace with rhubarb, mulberries and red-berry acidity driving through to a soft-tannined finish. Pristine fruit. 94 points. Nick Butler, The Real Review March 2020

2017 Frankland Estate Olmo’s Reward RRP $83
69% Cabernet Franc, 14% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec. All four varieties used in the blend were dry grown on mature vines in the Isolation Ridge Vineyard at Frankland Estate. Each variety was fermented separately, as slowly as possible at temperatures not exceeding 27°C. Open fermentation tanks facilitated working the cap with gentle plunging, taking care to minimise tannin extraction. After fermentation, an extended maceration period allowed desired flavour and tannin resolution. The component wines were blended on completion of the malolactic fermentation and then aged in 500-litre French oak puncheons for 15 months.

A blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, each variety open-fermented separately, matured for 15 months in French oak. As rich as it is complex and vice versa. A distinguished wine. 96 points. James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion August 2019

Deep red colour with a good tint of purple, and a lifted fragrance of raspberry and red cherry, cassis, cedar and blueberry hints, the palate full-bodied and firm, densely packed with flavour and tannins. Concentrated, essency, dense and powerful, it lingers very long on the farewell. Tightly packed. Lots of detail. A most impressive red, Cabernet Franc clearly leading the charge. 96 points. Huon Hooke, The Real Review March 2020

ALSO AVAILABLE…

ESTATE RANGE

2019 Frankland Estate Riesling RRP $29
A beautifully intense yet ethereal nose to this exemplary Riesling with limes, lemon pith, lime leaves and hints of green mangoes. The palate has a seamless build of smooth-honed fruit that follows the same, citrus and stone-fruit thread as seen on the nose. Just superb in every way. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 94 points. Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com April 2020

White peaches and citrus blossoms, an open and complex nose. Palate-weight is matched with lemony acidity – ripe, and driven at once. Approachable, no doubting its capacity to age, but hard to imagine it looking better than it does now. 94 points. Nick Butler, The Real Review February 2020

2017 Frankland Estate Chardonnay RRP $29
Light yellow colour with a spicy, smoky reduction bouquet, which is quite complex and inviting. Its mid-palate is fine and restrained but loaded with grapefruit flavours, the palate refined and taut, long and crisp, with lively energy and a clean, crisp and dry follow-through. Grapefruit flavours are the main event. 92 points. Huon Hooke, The Real Review March 2019

2017 Frankland Estate Shiraz RRP $29
A peppery shiraz with plenty of dried meat, brambleberries and fresh herbs. Dried yet vibrant red fruit is bolstered by chewy tannins and bright acidity sends this long. Drink now or hold. 93 points. Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com June 2019

2018 Frankland Estate Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $29
Loads of charm to the bouquet, cinnamon and mixed red berries, raspberry coulis and toasty, cedary oak. It’s silken and beautifully balanced – ripe fruit allowed to sing without the heavy hand of oak. Exceptional value. 94 points. Nick Butler, The Real Review February 2020

EXPERIMENTAL BOTTLINGS

2019 Frankland Estate Alter Weg Riesling RRP $34
A barrel-fermented and matured style (the old way) which offers a fresh, more savory impression than the standard estate-Riesling bottling. Stony emphasis and lime-scented bath salts on offer. A dry, taut palate, too. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 93 points. Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com April 2020

2018 Frankland Estate Touriga Nacional RRP $34
There’s some real complexity, in the spice zone, where aromas range from oregano and nutmeg, to juniper berries and spearmint. Then comes the overlay of brambleberries and dark cherries with some dark chocolate. Tobacco leaves, too. Full-bodied and juicy, but quite structured and savory on the palate. From organically grown grapes. Drink now and enjoy. Screw cap. 94 points. Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com May 2019