From the Winery

97% Shiraz and 3% Viognier from the Frankland River region. Fresh lifted aromas of plums and cherries abound with black pepper and spice. Earthy savoury hints combine seamlessly with subtle oak flavours. Dried herbs and spice on the palate is balanced with blueberry and a soft creamy palate. A long textured palate with mouth coating grainy tannin. An elegant cool climate Shiraz.

A wet spring provided good early vine growth followed by a dry and warmer than average January and February. The summer cooled considerably in early March slowing ripening with the Shiraz harvest starting on the 28th March and concluding the 7th April. Fruit was harvested in clean and ideal condition.

This wine was made from Shiraz and Viognier grown on the family’s estate vineyard. A selection of fruit was harvested from the younger vines planted 2006 on a high ironstone rocky ridge and the original vines around the winery. The Isolation Ridge vineyard is managed under organic principals (certified organic 2010), a practice we feel is important for reflecting the uniqueness of the site.

This wine was fermented as long and slowly as possible, at temperatures not exceeding 30C in open fermentation tanks that allowed the cap to be worked by plunging and gently pumping over. An extended maceration period followed completion of the ferment to allow optimal colour, flavour and tannin extraction. It was aged for 18 months in 500 litre French oak puncheons.


Reviews

"Bright, full crimson-purple; the variety and the terroir seek to impose each one's stamp over the other, both failing in their attempt, the perfect win-win outcome. Blackberry fruit, spice and black pepper lead the way on the bouquet and medium-bodied palate alike, French oak (subtle) and tannins (ripe, but fine) completing a great portrait of cool-grown shiraz." 95 Points, James Halliday - The Wine Companion

"I’m over in Great Southern et al in a couple of weeks and I hope to drop through Frankland Estate. About as ‘Aussie’ as you can get for a setting for a winery, and the folks are bloody unreal. Shiraz is often in the wake of riesling at Frankland Estate, but rarely is a slouch.
Sweet red berry-black berry, smoke, faint eucalyptus, lavender scents. Pretty and savoury at once. The palate is glides on soft acidity, shows sweet red currant fruit, but a twist of herbal complexity lays interest into the wine. It’s soft, medium weight, easy to drink, cool and reserved, elegant in its way. Really lovely, is apt words." 91 Points, Mike Bennie - The Wine Front