Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Riesling 2025

Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Riesling 2024

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. As in all years, the best parcels came off our old vine blocks (1988 plantings) Olive, Pole and Outback blocks and contain both the Geisenheim clone and Houghton’s WA heritage clone. 

Fermentation was carried out in numerous small batches, primarily in stainless steel, with
an increasing emphasis on spontaneous fermentation and select barrel ferments, many
not exceeding 1,000 litres. Approximately 5% of the wine was matured in barrel from the
Outback and North Pole blocks to enhance texture and highlight the variety’s flinty
ironstone character. Grapes were picked slightly riper than in previous decades to achieve
a more resolved, integrated acid profile. The diversity of ferments contributes depth and
complexity, while reduced yields in 2025 resulted in a total production approximately 25%
lower than average.

Pure aromatics of chalk dust, salted preserved lemon, dried mandarin peel, lime blossom and slate, this is incredibly pure and linear with little pops of exoticism built throughout. There’s such an energy to the fruit here and in a world of demonstrably terse Australian Riesling this stands out. Everything feels so well balanced, not forced or under ripe, just perfectly in the zone and plentiful. It’s razor sharp and poised through the middle, the flow and line just so well defined that there’s nothing hard or disjointed whatsoever, peaking with deliciously moreish acidity and a lovely tonic bitters, pithy grip. This is iconic Riesling, easily the best we’ve tried this year, and deliciously approachable straight out the gate – with all the stuffing and structure to last an eternity!

Much of this wine feels reserved but it goes up a gear through the back palate and through the finish, and that really is the best of signs. This is excellent. It’s all apple, lime and slate, it feels fresh and classy at once, though the summarising word is that it feels classical. It’s not an overt wine but it is an absolute beauty. 95 Points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

Lime, crisp green apple, a vanilla/white flower perfume, slight aniseed, spice, and a general chalky/stony thing happening. It’s tight, but flavoursome, a powdery grip to texture, a sizzle of green apple acidity through lime rind and white nectarine, tight and zesty on a finish of outstanding length, a little apple skin and citrus peel cinch to close. Such crunch and energy. Very good. 95 Points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

You’d call this pristine. Beautiful, too. It’s everything you want in a riesling from this top producer, with fruit off its organically managed, exceptional vineyard. Delicate aromas of lemon blossom, quince and ginger flower with a more complex oyster shell character. Pure flavours of citrus, glacé lemon and a touch of phenolics and silky creaminess all cruising along the palate. There’s balance between texture and the vibrancy of superfine acidity. A slip of sweetness rounds out this superb wine. 97 Points - Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion

Concentration-plus! Organically grown Isolation Ridge vineyard in the super cool Great Southern consistently produces one of the more concentrated and intense Rieslings in the country. The ’25 offers another superlative example. Super bright and zesty, it reveals hidden depths which excite now but, boy, in the future they will only intensify. Citrus blossom, lime zest, lime cordial, lemon with hints of curry leaf, lemongrass and sweet-smelling herbal aromas. Arrives zesty, zippy and dry with lime to the forefront. Lime and citrus carry forward with wildflower florals, wild herbs, a pinch of curry leaf and ginger – an exotic note – growing deeper and gathering weight and intensity as it closes. And the acidity, the wine’s secret weapon, is mouth-wateringly juicy fresh. Superb. 96 Points - Jeni Port, Wine Pilot