2018 Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Syrah Organic, Frankland River

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