Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Riesling 2023

Preorder for May 1st Release.

This wine was made from 100% Riesling grown in the Isolation Ridge vineyard at Frankland Estate. Riesling vines from two different clones were planted in 1988 on undulating northern and eastern facing slopes with duplex soils of ironstone gravel over a clay sub-soil. Several trellis systems are used throughout the vineyard, which is situated 256 meters above sea level. The cool nights and long slow ripening periods typical of the Frankland River region allow maximum flavour development while maintaining the distinctive vibrant acidity for which Rieslings from this region are renowned.

In the winery small ferments with an increasing focus on spontaneous fermentation and barrel ferment (with many parcels not exceeding 1,000Ltrs). As is now tradition, they left the wine on lees for nine months post fermentation as they enjoy the texture and personality this imparts. It highlights the subtle yet distinct flinty ironstone notes, which are wrapped up in the mouthfeel of the wine. Some 10% of this wine was matured in barrel from their old vines in their 'Pole' block and their 'Outback' Block, with the same aim in mind. They also pick the grapes slightly riper than we used to 10 or so years ago. This allows us to achieve the “resolved” acid profile where it melts into the wine. These numerous small ferments allow complexity in the resulting wine through the diversity of yeasts, ferments and combinations of stainless-steel fermented parcels and barrel fermented parcels.