Frankland Estate Masterclass
This significant operation is situated on a large sheep property established by Barrie Smith and Judi Cullam. The vineyard has seen progressive growth since '88. The introduction of an array of single-vineyard rieslings has been a highlight; the Isolation Ridge Vineyard is organically grown. Frankland Estate is now in the capable hands of 2nd-generation siblings Hunter and Elizabeth Smith. Elizabeth's husband Brian Kent has been at the helm of winemaking for over a decade. JAMES HALLIDAY
Frankland Estate is a superb, family-run, ecologically sensitive estate in a beautiful, extremely isolated location. JANCIS ROBINSON MW
Nestled in the remote and pristine Frankland River region of Western Australia, and Established in 1988 by Barrie Smith and Judi Cullam, the estate remains in family hands today, with their children continuing the legacy. They are the epitome of an under-the-radar gem of the Australian wine industry though word is out about the incredible quality of the wines so that statement may no longer be as trues as it once was. Over the past decade, their dedicated and talented team led by Hunter Smith, has pushed their stable of rieslings to quality heights that has them sitting firmly at the top of the tree for the variety.
While the examples they product are some of the finest in Australia, with pure citrus fruit, bright acidity, and age-worthy structure their reds are hot on their heals. Their Shiraz and Cabernet-based reds today, are equally acclaimed-elegant, restrained, and driven by the region's granite soils and long, mild growing season. They have gone from good to stonkingly great; inky, savoury and nuanced, examples, now, benchmarks of the cool climate genre.
Committed to sustainability and organics, the winery is certified organic and
takes a hands-off approach in the vineyard and winery, allowing the site to
shine. With a balance of tradition and innovation, Frankland Estate delivers
wines that are both expressive and uniquely Western Australian.
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Frankland Estate Smith Cullam Riesling 2023An off-dry style, and a portion is usually aged on lees in old oak and the rest in stainless-steel tank. This is lovely. Full of mandarin juice and peel, makrut lime and the creamiest nougat lees flavour – divine. It’s delicate, stylish and so appealing. Most importantly, the acidity brings everything in alignment, so the sweetness just fleshes out and rounds out the palate. (96) JANE FAULKNER, Halliday Wine Companion
If Isolation Ridge is a melt-in-your-mouth kind of Riesling, Smith Cullam is all racy, ceaseless energy in the glass. It offers quite the contrast, even though the fruit is also sourced from the Isolation Ridge vineyard. Speaks with an airy, floral aroma intensity, citrus and talc. Hunter Smith’s winemaking breaks the usual Aussie Riesling mould in its use of whole bunches and fermentation (40%) in seasoned 500L oak as well as in stainless steel, followed by nine months on lees. Delicate, lemony and spicy with a barley sugar-like sweet tingle on the middle palate. Texture is building and a distinctive flintiness combined with vibrant acidity completes one impressive Riesling. And, it might be added, it’s very much a young wine in building mode. (95) JENI PORT, Wine Pilot2021RieslingAustralia504$75.00 As low as $67.50 -
Frankland Estate Alter Weg Riesling 2024Alter Weg means the old way. Old oak fermented in foudre and kept on it's lees for 10 months for extra texture and palate weight. See why Ned Goodwin MW calls this 'Consistently among the finest iterations of Riesling in the New World'
This wine was made from 100% Riesling grown in the organic certified Isolation Ridge Vineyard at Frankland Estate. A selection of small ferments was made from parcels of fruit harvested in some younger close planted Geisenheim clone vines planted in 2006 on a high ironstone rocky ridge. This combines with some of Frankland Estate’s original parcels of Riesling planted in 1988.
2024RieslingAustralia504Special Price $30.00 Regular Price $36.00 -
Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Riesling 2024A very exciting dry riesling with a nose of chamomile, yellow grapefruit, lemon blossoms and fresh garden herbs. Great concentration and textural complexity. The interplay of the fine tannins and pronounced stony minerality with the creaminess from maturation on the lees is beautiful. The touch of grapefruit-pith bitterness accentuates the drive in the long, positively austere finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink from release. (95) STUART PIGOTTm JamesSuckling.com
On completion of my first sip, I leant back, crossed my arms, tilted my head, and let out a wry smile—soft and relaxed, like a resting hammock. As always, this wine kills. Leaning further toward savoury characters than the ’23 vintage, I enjoyed the punchy floral prettiness and overall intensity. A bouquet of white peach, tangerine peel, green mango and lime. One of the many parcels sees oak (5% of the total makeup), and the wine spends eight months on lees before bottling—building a slatey texture and complementing the tight framed, puckering acid. Pith, chalk, pressed lavender and mandarin—it’s a fruit salad breakfast in the Mentawai Islands. This is one of Australia’s best-value wines, and once again, Frankland Estate is pushing boundaries in the vineyard and the industry—redefining what Australian Riesling can look like—and they’re doing it from WA. This wine doesn’t need food, but an autumn nectarine salad and poached chicken would pair nicely. (96) CYNDAL PETTY, Winepilot.com2024RieslingAustralia504$55.00 As low as $49.50