2022 Frankland Estate Shiraz Organic, Frankland River

Super savoury and highly appealing from the first pour. Certainly there are dark plums in the mix but also lots of woodsy spices, ferrous earth, wood smoke and some Aussie bush fragrance. Fuller bodied, yet the palate is neatly shaped with grainy, drying tannins and lithe acidity.

92 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

Frankland Estate Shiraz Organic from Western Australia’s rugged and remote Frankland River is a brilliant example of cool-climate Shiraz with a distinctly Australian identity. Farmed organically and with an unwavering respect for the land, this wine is crafted by the Smith Cullam family, pioneers of sustainable viticulture in the region since the 1980s.

The wine shows off the region’s hallmark elegance and structure. It opens with dark forest berries, black olive, cracked black pepper and dried herbs, supported by a graphite-like minerality that speaks of the ancient granitic soils. There's a gentle perfume of violets and bay leaf, adding a savoury edge to the lifted fruit. The palate is medium-bodied and beautifully balanced, with silky tannins and a core of freshness that gives it both vibrancy and length.

Frankland River’s isolation and continental climate—warm days and cool nights—allow for full phenolic ripeness while preserving natural acidity. The wine spends time in seasoned French oak, allowing the fruit and spice to shine rather than being masked by overt oak influence.

It’s a versatile wine for food, pairing superbly with chargrilled lamb, smoky eggplant dishes, or a black pepper beef stir fry. It will evolve gracefully over the next 8 to 12 years, gaining complexity and polish with time in the cellar.