the journal of frankland estate...royal melbourne wine show triple triumph discover our new and...

ENTWINEDTHE JOURNAL OF FRANKLAND ESTATE

GOLDEN YEAR Reflecting on what may well be a near perfect 2018 vintage

Royal Melbourne Wine Show Triple Triumph

Discover our new and exciting varietals

No.11 Spring/Summer 2019

The Frankland Estate Journal

WE’VE BEEN MAKING RIESLING in the Frankland River region since we first

planted vines over thirty years ago, it’s the varietal that we’re often renowned for.Whilst winemakers often talk of idyllic vintage conditions, there’s been few years that we’ve been so excited about as we are 2018. It was near perfect – a wet three months from July to September 2017 set up the vines beautifully for a flourish of spring growth. The weather gods then shone upon us with sunshine sparking an onset of good flowering, which resulted in average to above average crops. Rainfall was below average, but the cool daily temperatures meant that the vines showed no water stress.When the time came to harvest the fruit and see it carefully make its way into the winery, it was nothing short of pristine. We knew we had both excellent flavour ripeness and good acid levels – mouth-wateringly good!

PATIENCE NOW BEING REWARDEDWhilst the perfect ripening conditions have helped produce an exceptional 2018 vintage, the three decades of vineyard management and evolution of viticultural practices are also starting to pay dividends in terms of quality. Tweaking our pruning regimes and trellising systems, selecting particular varietal clones of wines and utilising organic fertilisers to encourage a unique microbiology in our soils to allow them to flourish, are all having an impact on the evolution of what defines our brand. It’s now been fourteen years of managing the vineyards organically and we’re confident that the depth and complexity of the flavours is due to this constant pursuit of excellence.

The exceptional conditions are now being highlighted in the wines, with the 2018 Isolation Ridge Vineyard and 2018 Poison Hill Vineyard Rieslings living up to our very high expectations for the vintage. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

TOP OF THE CROP:

2018 ISOLATION RIDGE VINEYARD RIESLING

“OMG. Incredible complexity on the nose with crushed-stone, slate and lemon character.

Some nutmeg and white pepper, too. Full-bodied with a crunchy and creamy palate

that highlights the bitter-lemon and mineral flavours. Very, very long.”

James Suckling, June 2019...........................................................................

96 points Nick Stock jamessuckling.com, June 2019

96 points Huon Hooke The Real Review, May 2019

96 points Top 100 Wines 2019 Gourmet Traveller Wine 2019

95 points Gary Walsh The Wine Front, May 2019

95 points James Halliday 2020 Australian Wine Companion

2018 POISON HILL VINEYARD RIESLING

“Wonderful clarity to this riesling with white peaches, minerals and hints of

spearmint. Full-bodied, dry and fruity. Beautiful length. Stones and tangy fruit

at the finish. Drink now.” James Suckling, June 2019

...........................................................................


94 points Gary Walsh The Wine Front, May 2019

94 points James Suckling jamessuckling.com, August 2019

2018 FRANKLAND ESTATE RIESLING

“A delightful citrusy, appley nose with some stone fruit in the background. Complex, textured and layered example with good

development potential. Drink now or within 10-15 years.” Decanter WWA, 2019

...........................................................................

95 points Decanter World Wine Awards 2019


93 points Toni Paterson The Real Review, May 2018

OUR FINEST RIESLINGS IN 30 YEARS?Frankland Estate’s Hunter Smith reflects on what may well be a near perfect 2018 vintage.

Buy online franklandestate.com.au or call our Cellar Door on (08) 9855 1544 and we’ll help with your selection.

WHAT THE CRITICS HAVE TO SAY...

Vol: 11, 2019 3

F rankland Estate Isolation Ridge Vineyard Riesling has had a long

history of being selected to be served in the First Class cabins on Qantas. On showing the selection committee the 2018 Isolation Ridge Vineyard Riesling they have again put it up the very pointy end of the plane alongside the 2015 Olmo’s Reward.

We’re sure Dr Harold Olmo, would be pleased to know (in his humbled way), that the wine Judi and Barrie named in his honour is now flying at 30,000 feet across to his homeland of America in First Class!

This year marked All Nippon Airways’ (ANA) maiden flight from Perth to Tokyo, and we had a fortunate turn of events. Hunter had a chance encounter with a few of the wine selection panel for ANA and he just happened to have a bottle of riesling in his hands.

While not many words were exchanged it was decided on the spot that the 2018 Frankland Estate Riesling would be served in Business Class.

A great accompaniment to the Daichi Ramen.

FLYING HIGH

LOOKING TO ADD SOME OF OUR 2018 SINGLE-VINEYARD RIESLINGS

TO YOUR CELLAR?

Don’t delay, they are drinking superbly right now and with accolades continuing to be

received they won’t last long.

QANTAS & ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS SERVING OUR RIESLING

When the time came to harvest the fruit and see it carefully make its way into the winery, it was nothing short of pristine.

The Journal of Frankland Estate

TRIUMPHorganically over 14 years ago and gained Australian Certified Organic accreditation in 2009 so it is particularly satisfying to receive recognition for our pioneering efforts.” Hunter Smith, Owner & Vigneron

“Despite all the changes in the wine industry, one thing has remained the same; great wines are made in the vineyard. Organics has brought our Isolation Ridge Vineyard to life, literally! Enormous energy, over many years, has been poured into the Isolation Ridge Vineyard Shiraz and we’re proud to be recognised as one of Australia’s best wines.” Brian Kent, Head Winemaker.

Shiraz accounted for 25 percent of all entries in the competition, but it was the 2017 Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Vineyard Shiraz that came up trumps in a field of 745 wines beating many well-known and higher priced wines.

T HE ROYAL MELBOURNE WINE SHOW IS ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS SHOWS ON THE

AUSTRALIAN WINE CIRCUIT.

The 2019 show was certainly one to remember for Frankland Estate, with the 2017 Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Vineyard Shiraz, picking up the Trophy for Best Organic/Biodynamic Wine, Trophy for Best Western Australian Shiraz and the famed Trevor Mast Trophy for Best Shiraz of Show.

Hunter and Brian were on hand to receive the awards and were thrilled, it is a great result not only for our wines but for awareness of the region on the national stage.

“Shiraz in Western Australia has seen some great advances and I’d say the heartbeat of this change is here in the Frankland River region. We started managing our vineyard

Royal Melbourne Wine Show

A TRIFECTA OF TROPHIES FOR FRANKLAND ESTATE

AboveHunter Smith and Brian Kent celebrate at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show.

Matt Harrop, Chair of Judges at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards, said “It’s beautifully fragrant with a poised palate - spicy, intriguing and just so lovely. That wine is the complete package.”Unsurprisingly the Frankland River region is widely becoming recognised as being one of Australia’s finest Shiraz growing regions. The Mediterranean climate of warm days and cold nights, combined with the unique ironstone soil found in our Isolation Ridge Vineyard, produces Shiraz of power, refinement and finesse. This Shiraz aims to capture all the quintessential fruit opulence, black pepper and spice notes for which the region has become renowned.

TROPHY WINNER 2019BEST ORGANIC OR BIODYNAMIC WINE

TROPHY WINNER 2019BEST WESTERN

AUSTRALIAN SHIRAZ

TROPHY WINNER 2019THE TREVOR MAST TROPHY

FOR BEST SHIRAZ

“It’s beautifully fragrant with a poised palate - spicy, intriguing and just so lovely. That wine is the complete package.”

Matt Harrop, Chair of Judges Royal Melbourne Wine Awards

The 2017 Shiraz is selling quickly.

Don’t miss out on this award-winning wine.

This is your last chance to order the 2017 Isolation

Ridge Shiraz, Visit our website or see enclosed

order form.

Vol: 11, 2019 5

different bunch characteristics not only in appearance but in taste and texture. Seen as a chance to trial some new material in the aim of providing greater complexity, the new shiraz clones 174 and 470 are from the heart of the Rhône Valley and whilst exerting all the quintessential classic shiraz characteristic they can vary in flavour very subtly and provide an extra dimension to our final shiraz wines.

INNOVATIONS WITH OAKAfter a visit to the Rhône Valley in 2004 a decision was made to work with large format French oak barrels, the 300 litre hogshead barrels traded in for 500 litre Puncheons. However continual refinement of the way we use the French oak has also been important to allow the subtlety of ironstone terroir to be revealed. For the 2018 vintage a 3,500 litre French oak foudre was purchased and this has been truly exciting evolution as the wine can now rest on its lees providing an unmatched elegance and poise to the wine. With another foudre purchased for the 2019 harvest, drinkers of Isolation Ridge Shiraz will see the results of some of these subtle and exciting changes.

BLENDING VARIETIES IN SHIRAZOn top of the new shiraz clones we have also experimented with a range of grape varieties over the years, such as mourvédre, viognier and touriga nacional. Our ideas have come from our global travels and uncompromising dedication to drinking as many truly fine shiraz wines as we possibly can from all over the world. It is a tough job - but someone has to do it.Mourvédre was considered for its ability to have complexity of savoury notes and incredible intensity of flavour without taking on a big demeanour. Mourvedre will provide an exciting point of complexity for us to consider in blending the final wine for Isolation Ridge Shiraz and Frankland Estate Shiraz. Viognier was planted again in the Isolation Ridge Vineyard in 1998 with the aim of

F rankland River as a region has established a great name for producing top shiraz for a number

of years. Planted as early as the late 1960’s, shiraz has established itself as a benchmark variety in the region. Through the early 2000’s Frankland Estate set about redefining shiraz from the region. A number of changes were implemented with the aim of highlighting the uniqueness of this part of the world and putting our cool climate and elegant style on the international map.

ATTENTION TO DETAILWhen a family have been dedicated and focused to one site for 30 years with the combined family experience of 120 vintages, the level of refinement and evolution is bound to pay dividends. This kind of viticultural intimacy, required to make truly great wine, is the sort that can be seen in our team at Frankland Estate. Our daily routines in the vineyard and winery show great thoughtfulness and minute attention to detail. This level of fine tuning and knowledge only comes from living and breathing the vineyard life we live.

ORGANIC VITICULTURE PAYS DIVIDENDSWe strongly believe that the second generation of Frankland Estate, through Elizabeth, Brian and Hunter are certainly taking the wines to new heights. It also seems that calculated foresight in our family’s viticultural approach has catapulted the current release shiraz to new levels. The super-premium quality we are now tasting in our shiraz is due not only to organic viticulture, which began back in 2005 with certification in 2009 onwards, but also this forward-thinking approach to the style of wines. Organic viticulture was one element which came out of a desire for healthier, happier and stronger vines. With this a lift in yields has eventuated (albeit very modest) resulting in some longer hang times, giving

fruit the time needed to ripen well but slowly. Combined with the cooler aspect of the southern part of the Frankland River region, we are achieving fresher, crunchier and brighter wines.

MINIMAL INTERVENTION IN THE WINERYIn the winery there has also been some evolving calculated changes, brought about by improved grape quality through organic production and advancing vine age. In essence these hark back to the ongoing belief that great wines are made in the vineyard. The quality of fruit stipulates the intervention needed on the wine making front when talking wine making techniques, as the adage of “less is more” comes into full swing. Gentle fermentations to minimise tannin extraction have been an ongoing goal to increase textural delicacy, a trait seen in the very best examples of fine shiraz. Smaller ferments, or rather shallower ferments aid in gentle extraction at lower temperatures providing finer tannins.With better health and balance in the vineyard we have also seen more even and slower ripening. Hand harvesting of bunches that have seen full lignification, or “yellowing” of stems, provide the winemaking team with the ability to utilise whole bunch fermentation. This is done with small select parcels and the results are compelling, giving some parcels an added degree of freshness and crunchy fruit tones. This brightness and tannin structure (a faint stemmy “ash” characteristic) can then be beautifully interwoven into the remaining shiraz wines; the blends resulting in far greater complexity.

NEW SHIRAZ CLONESNew clones have increasingly become a topic of conversation amongst the vineyard and wine boffins. Frankland Estate has very much taken this up and included two new clones of shiraz in our Isolation Ridge Vineyard. These clones provide some slightly

building different dimensions into our shiraz wines. Viognier provides texture and softness to shiraz, a delicious moreishness and aromatic lift with the smallest of additions. After many trials it is common place for viognier to be added to select ferments of shiraz the day of harvest at about 5% which after blending with different ferments makes up around 2% of the final wines.Touriga nacional, has recently been planted in the Isolation Ridge Vineyard. The first vintage in 2018 was a truly exciting success and we have made a single varietal wine. We have also used it in the Frankland Estate Shiraz wine, in only a very small percentage and will continue to refine and use it more in our premium shiraz blends into the future.

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDSWe will continue to evolve the style of our shiraz, with a combination of new clones, new varietals, and the gentle evolution of wine making techniques. This will support the benefits of an increasing vine age and enhance our shiraz wines, providing a very exciting foundation for the future.

SHOWCASE: FRANKLAND ESTATE SHIRAZOWNER AND WINEMAKER HUNTER SMITH ON THE CONSTANT LOVE AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL THAT’S REAPING REWARDS

SHIRAZ CELLAR RELEASE PACK

Above from left Cold morning shiraz pick, new barrel for shiraz, shiraz on the vine.

Three truly great vintages of Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Vineyard Shiraz in one neat pack delivered to your door. A great way to see how these wines age and evolve in the bottle.

2017 ISOLATION RIDGE VINEYARD SHIRAZ



See order form for details.

4 x

4 x

4 x


JOIN THE ISOLATION WINE CLUB

Insider parcels, undiscovered by most

A win like the Royal Melbourne Wine Show Trevor Mast Trophy for the ‘Best Australian Shiraz in Show’ continues to put Frankland Estate in the spotlight. The result is that our small parcel wines are selling out quicker than ever, especially our prized Olmo’s Reward, SmithCullam releases and the odd very small batch experimental wines. As a Wine Club member you will be given early access to these wines.

Whether you’re looking for the iconic releases, or something to just sit back and savour with friends, there’s an option for everyone.

As an “Isolation Wine Club” member there’s a raft of benefits:

• Exclusive access to small parcel releases

• Free shipping

• Discounts off additional purchases

• Opportunity to purchase museum releases and current wines prior to wider release

• No joining fee or cancellation fees. Select wines to suit your taste and budget. We’ll deliver direct to your door and only process payments at the time of dispatch

Want to ensure that you don’t miss out on your favourite Frankland Estate Wines? Join our wine club and be in the know.

Vol: 11, 2019 7

10% off on purchases of 12 or more bottles with no limit

15% off on all wines with no limit 20% off on all wines with no limit 25% off on all wines with no limit

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Exclusive access to Museum, cellar release and large format wines (highly collectable)

An annual offer to join the Frankland Estate Team at our working lunch, wine tasting and winery experience.#

*Choose any wine. Purchases must meet minimum Single Vineyard requirements

#Advanced Booking Required

Stay connected with Frankland Estate and receive a discount on every direct sale of 12 bottles or more.

A first step onto our unsealed ironstone road.

Far removed from the everyday; gain access to our special releases.

Not for everyone; experience what others can only imagine.

With limited places available, this membership is for those seeking rare wines and exclusive experiences with like-minded individuals.

Solitude Amongst Friends membership rewards our most committed members with access to limited and rare releases, priority booking for the Flowering Of The Vines and other events, 25% discount and three dozen bottles delivered to your door annually.

No commitment Commitment

2 x dozen bottles per year delivered to your door.

Your wine will be delivered in February and June each year.

20 x Estate wines, 4 x Single Vineyard wines.

Commitment


Your wine will be delivered in February and June each year.

20 x Single Vineyard wines, 4 x Special Release wines including Olmo’s & Smith Cullam.

Commitment


Your wine will be delivered in February, June and October.

30 x Single Vineyard wines, 6 x Special Release wines including Olmo’s & Smith Cullam.

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FRANKOPHILE (SUBSCRIBER ONLY)


MOURVÉDREBack in 2005 discussions with close friend and viticulturalist John Brocksopp got us thinking seriously about mourvèdre. We embraced the opportunity to plant some, as we believe it has great potential as a blending partner with shiraz to build complexity and diversity. Mourvèdre is grown in many regions around the world, perhaps most famously in the Rhône and Provence regions of France as well as the Valencia and Jumilla regions of Spain. Normally a perfect blending partner with syrah, mourvèdre can often have wild game or earthy qualities with healthy amounts of natural tannin.Our mourvèdre was planted in 2005 from cuttings sourced by John Brocksopp. Now 14 years of age and farmed organically for most of its life, the wines have started to show their true potential. Our medium weighted mourvèdre with earthy aromatics and delicate tannin grip offers beautiful complexity to blend with shiraz or when released as a single varietal.

THE WORLD OF WINE CONTINUES TO EVOLVE RAPIDLY. Consumer’s are seeking

different beverage options and winemakers have to keep pace and adapt to both a changing climate and evolving tastes. We’re seeing that even the more regulated and traditional regions like Bordeaux are allowing new varietals to be included in their appellations, reflecting a growing awareness that they need to adapt to survive. As a small, nimble and dynamic winery we can be open minded about what shapes our future, and the opportunities are plentiful. We’re constantly searching for new varietals and interesting clones that we can utilise in our wines, either as a blending option or as a small-parcel release.

TOURIGA NACIONALTouriga nacional is a Portuguese varietal from Portugal's northern Dao and Douro wine regions. It is dark-skinned grape variety that has traditionally been a key component of fortified ports but is now becoming very fashionable as a dry table wine - some believing it creates the finest dry red wines in Portugal. Following the proliferation of aromatic dry styles noted by Hunter during numerous European trips, it was decided to plant of touriga nacional at Frankland Estate. Interestingly, this variety is one of the newly allowed grape varietals soon to be grown in Bordeaux. Again, the excellent growing conditions in 2018 produced our first straight touriga nacional wine. The resulting wine has aromas of violets and bittersweet cocoa, with flavours of soft generous blueberry, plum, blackberry and fine velvet tannins. The wine has elegance and balance. We are very pleased to see it has already received some good reviews...............................................................................95 points Gold Medal, Wine Show

of Western Australia, 2019

94 points James Suckling, June 2019

..............................................................................“There’s some real complexity, in the spice zone, where aromas range from oregano and nutmeg, to juniper berries and spearmint. Then comes the overlay of brambleberries and dark cherries with some dark chocolate. Tobacco leaves, too. Full-bodied and juicy, but quite structured and savory on the palate. From organically grown grapes. Drink now and enjoy.” Nick Stock, James Suckling, June 2019

DISCOVER SOMETHING DIFFERENT

BE QUICK TO TRY OUR NEW AND EXCITING VARIETALS

Looking to taste something a little different? Here’s a few different styles and varietals to add to your cellar.

2018 MOURVÈDRE

2018 was a great year for the later ripening red wines in the

Frankland River region as both dry conditions and mild

temperatures allowed for good maturation on the vine.

In 2018 we felt our Mourvèdre was too good to blend and has

been released under our experimental range.

RRP $32.

Vol: 11, 2019 9

ALTER WEG RIESLINGThis wine perhaps needs less introduction and as a variety is nothing new to Frankland Estate, but it’s a different style of riesling that some may not have discovered. The Alter Weg (translated to mean the “old path”) is at the forefront of our ongoing exploration of both viticultural and winemaking evolution as well as experimentations with this variety."Made by exploratory viticulture and winemaking processes including barrel fermentation and maturation in oak for 11 months - an approach borrowed from Germany. It has certainly added layer upon layer of richness, but with an assured hand. There is no phenolic kickback, all as the bright straw-green hue alluded to as when you picked up the glass the first time." James Halliday, 2020 Australian Wine Companion..............................................................................96 points The Wine Front, Mike Bennie

95 points James Suckling jamessuckling.com


..............................................................................

MARSANNEMarsanne is the most popular white wine grape planted in the Northern Rhône wine region, particularly on the famous hill of Hermitage. It is best known in a textural white blend with roussanne and viognier. Marsanne generally adds depth and a richness of texture with flavours and scents of roasted nuts, honeydew melon, pears, white peaches, baking spices and white flowers. Marsanne was also planted in the Isolation Ridge Vineyard in 1998. While only 0.3 hectares was planted, this trial planting remains and increasingly we have seen merit in making a very small parcel as a single varietal along with blending small amounts into our shiraz and viognier to give added aromatics. As the vines have aged, we are seeing great rewards with the fruit slowly expressing more of its varietal flavour. Our patience has paid off. The 2018 vintage is shy at first but with a little time opens up beautifully. Almonds and nutty Persian spice mix with melons, peach and apricot kernel. Soft and lively upfront, the acid races across the palate giving the wine focus and length showing almonds, nectarines, apricot flavours and a mealy texture. It is a perfect match with blue swimmer crab for Boxing Day lunch.

MADALENA’S BAR - JOEL REES

Madalena’s Bar has very quickly become the darling of the beaches in Perth, with a waiting list for bookings most days. Owners Joel Rees and wife Dani modelled the bar after the places they loved during their time in Brazil. Riesling and seafood is without doubt one of the great food and wine matches, and Madalena’s takes it to another level.

Chef Adam Rees (Joel’s brother) brings a different perspective to seafood at Madalena’s Bar, which mirrors our own alternate take at Frankland Estate over the past few years and results in an exciting food match with our Alter Weg Riesling.

Owner Joel Rees pairs Alter Weg Riesling with fresh Albany sardines and has been kind enough to share the recipe. Matching to the slightly generous and textural nature of the Alter Weg, it plays spectacularly well with the oily rich flavours of fresh sardines.

Method

Scaled, gut, remove spines of sardines and cook on charcoal for 4 - 6 minutes. Put all other ingredients into a blender and pulse to a chunky texture and not too smooth. Smear this sauce on a plate and place sardines on top. Season with flake salt and lemon juice.

ALBANY SARDINES WITH PARSLEY SAUCE AND CAPERBERRIES

Parsley sauce 375g parsley 150g caperberries 30g garlic 6g lemon zest 75g caper berry juice

300g Extra Virgin Olive Oil 450g blended oil Salt flakes Lemon juice

Freshly caught Albany sardines

DISCOVERY PACKIntrigued about these different wines styles? We’ve made it easy for you to sample with this Wine Adventurers dozen - your chance to try something new with friends and save some for yourself! Selection includes:

3 x 2018 Alter Weg Riesling 3 x 2018 Marsanne 3 x 2018 Touriga Nacional 3 x 2018 Mourvèdre

To read more and order online, visit franklandestate.com.au

WHO’S POURING?

Ingredients (serves 2)

https://www.franklandestate.com.au/


OLMO’S REWARD

F OR MOST OF YOU READING ENTWINED, the South Western tip of Western Australia is hardly uncharted territory for producing

great red wine, perhaps best known for those reds containing cabernet sauvignon. Head a little inland to the Frankland River region and further south than the well-known Margaret River and you will find Cabernet wines in a slightly different style. Much of this is due to the pioneering work of the legendary Dr Harold Olmo.

DR HAROLD OLMODr. Harold Olmo was a pioneering viticulturist and professor at the University of California, Davis and is credited with ‘discovering’ the Frankland River region while he was in Western Australia assisting the agricultural department with viticulture in the Swan Valley, just north of Perth. The Frankland River itself runs all the way down to the Southern Ocean, which serves to moderate the climate year-round. The soil composition and climate of the Frankland River region led Harold Olmo to make immediate comparisons with the famed Bordeaux region of France.Frankland River experiences dry warm days assisted by very cold nights, which lend themselves to great Cabernet wines, including cabernet franc. Whilst very little cabernet franc is grown in Australia (0.4% of total red varietals plantings) compared to cabernet sauvignon (28% of red wine plantings), today it makes up the majority of Olmo’s Reward. It makes sense given that Frankland River is that bit cooler than many of Western Australia’s regions. It’s also a great validation of the vision that Judi Cullam

OUR NOD TO THE PROFESSOR OF VITICULTURE WHO DISCOVERED OUR REGION

and Barrie Smith showed in first planting Frankland Estate back in 1988 and particularly cabernet franc. They were spot on! Cabernet franc is without doubt heading on a greater path of awareness and greatness in Australia. Globally cabernet franc commands a cult following in the obvious examples such as Cheval Blanc in Bordeaux but increasingly cabernet franc is seen as a wine that is grown in more emerging and diverse regions, such as the Loire Valley and Northern Italy. Cabernet franc is

The world is our wine oyster!! Frankland Estate has a strong export focus and is proud to export at least half of our total wine production to over 20 overseas countries. Many of these markets are small and needless to say we focus on the very fine wine, premium avenues within these countries to ensure that our wines end up on the tables of the most discerning of restaurants and wine lists.

As you might have read in the press though, there’s a renewed focus on building the brand of Australian wines in China. China is now Australia’s largest trading partner for all exports, so not surprisingly it has also become the number one wine export market, overtaking the traditional markets in the United States and United Kingdom both by volume and total value. In the 12 months to September 2019, wine exports reached a record value of A$1.25 billion, an annual increase of 18 percent*. Australia is also the number one exporter by value, overtaking France and Italy in the past year. The appetite for Australian wine in China has never been stronger and our distinctive regional style from Frankland River is gathering momentum.

What might surprise a lot of people is that China actually has more vineyards than Australian and is now the 4th largest producer of wine in the world. They are a relative new comer to wine production, so they still have more learning and experience to achieve an increase in their overall wine quality. Chinese wine consumers are increasingly demanding high quality wines as their level of knowledge and taste for fine wine increases.

Despite our remote location, the importance of the Chinese market has not been lost on us. In fact, we have been working diligently to understand the huge logistical and cultural complexity of the Chinese market. Hunter will be spending four full days at Prowein Shanghai 11-15 November 2019 with our importers to fly the Frankland Estate flag. We look forward to sharing some photos with you on our social media channels – stay tuned as Frankland Estate takes on the world!

*Source: Wine Australia wineaustralia.com.au October 2019

FRANKLAND ESTATE TAKES ON THE WORLD HUNTER SMITH HEADS TO PROWEIN IN SHANGHAI AS EXPORTS TO CHINA INCREASE

The soil composition and climate of the Frankland River region led Harold Olmo to make immediate comparisons with the famed Bordeaux region of France.

Vol: 11, 2019 11

generally considered paler, lighter, and fresher along with being softer and more aromatic than that of cabernet sauvignon (Robinson J, 2012). These attributes make it the ideal wine stylistically to be making a comeback as consumers look for more modest weight in wine as they seek food friendly pairings. Great cabernet franc will also express great length and extraordinary complexity of flavour.

OLMO’S REWARD Olmo’s Reward wines today are very much a nod to the original vision Judi and Barrie had. Their vision for more elegant and food friendly styles was very much ahead of the curve at a time when many wine consumers went in search of power and richness in wines. Today, as we know, this has turned full circle and wines with restraint and a greater sense of place are increasingly celebrated and enjoyed.Historically, Olmo’s Reward was strongly influenced by Judi and Barrie’s time in Bordeaux. Today the wine does give a brief nod to the great wines made in the Right Bank of Bordeaux, although Olmo’s Reward is now mapping its own intriguing course, reflecting the uniqueness of location, climate and soil in the Isolation Ridge Vineyard. The wine has certainly grown in depth and complexity with vine age as we combine our 30 years of experience growing cabernet franc. This simply cannot be substituted.

HAVE YOU BEEN TO PRINCE WINE STORE?GREAT FINE WINE APLENTY

The Prince Wine Store is one of Australia’s great independent retailers and always a must stop destination when we have new releases under our arm running around Melbourne and Sydney. As with all great retailers they take their customers on a journey of discovery through the world of wine. The Prince runs education courses for anyone that wants to learn more about the history of winemaking, great wine regions of the world or buying and storing of wine. In Melbourne, Bellota Kitchen is right next door, with head Chef Nikki Riemer matching small courses and bites with the wine as you learn. It’s a wine lovers dream!Prince Wine Stores are located in Zetland, Sydney and Bank Street, South Melbourne. For great wines pop in and tell them you’re a Frankophile!

One of our favourite quotes about Olmo’s Reward is from Ian Cauble MS: “And yet, in the end, this wine veers away from Bordeaux—albeit in an appealing and slightly wild way. In the glass, it’s a deep, not-quite-opaque ruby-black with crimson/garnet highlights, with seductive aromas of ripe blackberry, cassis, black currant, mint/eucalyptus, ground coffee, black pepper, and raw cacao. It is at once burly and luscious, and most importantly, powerful without being overpowering, thanks to well-preserved acidity. The wide diurnal temperature variations in the Frankland Valley allow for slower, more balanced ripening, enabling this wine to avoid a ‘syrupy’ fate; in fact, I think it’s got the structure for 10+ years of aging if you can keep your hands off it, which will not be easy to do. With 30 minutes in a decanter this is a plump and delicious red to enjoy now at 60 degrees celsius in large Bordeaux stems, and will likely be the first wine I reach for at the first sign of cold weather this fall.” The 2017 Olmo’s Reward (like the 2017 Isolation Ridge Vineyard Shiraz) is a reflection of the great vintage, well defined with clear fruit aromas of cedar and plum. In the background there is also crushed raspberry and even a touch of violet and dusty complexity. Cabernet franc remains the majority of the blend (69%) with small additions of malbec, cabernet sauvignon and merlot. The obvious balance, freshness and poise of the 2017 will reward aging and we are confident it will be one of the great Olmo’s Rewards.

2018 ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 is sure to be a much-acclaimed vintage as the wines start to see the light of day post the nineteen or so months of being tended to in the winery and cellars. The 2018 Frankland Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is the first of these fine red wines to hit the street from this fine vintage. The combination of elegance and bright berry fruits is intermingled beautifully with classic Cabernet concentration. No doubt another step up from our highly acclaimed 2017 vintage.

“A medium to full-bodied cabernet that speaks equally clearly of its place and its varietal birthright, which I believe to be the estate's Isolation Ridge Vineyard (the back label is silent on this matter). Blackcurrant is the dominant flavour, assisted by notes of black olive and bay leaf, the tannins firm but ripe, the oak merely a vehicle.” 95 Points, James Halliday’s Wine Companion 2020

2018 ESTATE CHARDONNAYA wet and cold winter in 2017 lead to cool and typically dry conditions from November right through to harvest. The cooler summer meant harvest was delayed by up to two weeks. These conditions were perfect for whites, making for an outstanding harvest for chardonnay.

The chardonnay comes from the 100% organically grown Isolation Ridge Vineyard. Lifted blossom florals and white stone fruit. Lovely minerality. The palate has generosity on the front palate, well integrated oak that leads into an elegant soft and focused palate. There is a complex textured component which plays beautifully with the acid to create a delightful and charming chardonnay.

These new release wines are now available for purchase.

MAGNUM FOR CHRISTMAS LUNCH

LIMITED RELEASE 2005 ISOLATION RIDGE CABERNET SAUVIGNON MAGNUM

2005 was one of the most popular cabernet sauvignons released for Frankland Estate with great intensity and lovely

plush fruits it was always going to age well. A very small number of magnums were made and are now available to

members of our wine club! See page 7 for details.

NEW RELEASES


FRANKLAND ESTATE WINES PTY LTD 530 Frankland Road Frankland River Western Australia 6396 T +61 8 9855 1544 E [email protected]

Visit us at franklandestate.com.au or our cellar door franklandestate @FranklandEstate

2017 FRANKLAND ESTATE OLMO’S REWARD Named after Dr Harold Olmo, who first identified the viticultural potential of the Frankland River Region, ‘Olmo’s Reward’ is Frankland Estate’s flagship red wine. Aristotle’s famous quote, “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts,” applies to this wine, which is a refined and complex red blend comprising Cabernet Franc, with smaller amounts of Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.

96 points Decanter World Wine Awards May 2017

96 points James Halliday, 2020 Australian Wine Companion

2017 ISOLATION RIDGE VINEYARD SHIRAZMatt Harrop, Chair of Judges at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards, said: “It’s beautifully fragrant with a poised palate – spicy, intriguing and just so lovely. That wine is the complete package.”

Trophy Best Organic/Biodynamic Wine

Trophy Best Western Australian Shiraz

Trevor Mast Trophy Best Shiraz of Show, Royal Melbourne Wine Show, 2019

2017 FRANKLAND ESTATE SHIRAZ“A peppery shiraz with plenty of dried meat, brambleberries and fresh herbs. Dried yet vibrant red fruit is bolstered by chewy tannins and bright acidity sends this long. Drink now or hold.” 93 points James Suckling

2017 FRANKLAND ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON “A medium to full-bodied cabernet that speaks equally clearly of its place and its varietal birthright, which I believe to be the estate's Isolation Ridge Vineyard (the back label is silent on this matter). Blackcurrant is the dominant flavour, assisted by notes of black olive and bay leaf, the tannins firm but ripe, the oak merely a vehicle.” James Halliday, June 2019

95 points James Halliday, 2020 Australian Wine Companion

92 points & Top 100 Wines Ray Jordan, Western Australian, July 2019

2018 FRANKLAND ESTATE TOURIGA NACIONAL “There’s some real complexity, in the spice zone, where aromas range from oregano and nutmeg, to juniper berries and spearmint. Then comes the overlay of brambleberries and dark cherries with some dark chocolate. Tobacco leaves, too. Full-bodied and juicy, but quite structured and savory on the palate. From organically grown grapes. Drink now and enjoy.” James Suckling 2019 95 Points & Gold Medal Wine Show of Western Australia, 2019

94 Points James Suckling, June 2019

JAMES SUCKLING “Riesling and shiraz from Great Southern, in particular Frankland River, are also very exciting this year. The best are wines of subtlety and finesse with lots of character and structure that are reminiscent of the best of France, but with Aussie purity.” James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, June 2019

MAX ALLEN 'The 2018 Isolation Ridge Riesling is stunningly pure and aromatic' Max Allen, May 2019

Plaudits from the PunditsREAD OUR LATEST REVIEWS

2017 OLMOS REWARD 97 Points & Gold Medal

2018 ESTATE RIESLING 95 Points & Gold Medal

2016 ISOLATION RIDGE SHIRAZ

91 Points & Silver Medal

Regular visitors to Frankland Estate have seen in the past 12 months small yet continual changes to our cellar door. From very modest beginnings, being a slab of jarrah stretched over a couple of barrels in a corner of the winery, the cellar door now boasts an impressive view out over the vines. Still extremely humble and part of the functioning winery itself, our cellar door allows visitors a great place to book a formal tasting visit amongst the barrels.

Barrie continues to muse that tourism has climbed to an all-time high prompting these humble changes, when last year the cellar door received two visitor in the one day! As much as we encourage you to visit we realise this is no easy feat for many Entwined readers. Easier perhaps is signing up to our Isolation Wine Club.

The perfect way to explore Frankland Estate from afar. Take a virtual tour of why it’s worth taking a trip on our website.

VISITORS WELCOMEReaders of Entwined are always welcome at Frankland Estate. Because our cellar door is conveniently located in the middle of nowhere we like to recommend you ring in advance to let us know of your visit. This will enable us to have someone on hand to assist you sample or purchase our wines and, if you are well behaved, perhaps even show you a few ‘special’ wines from back vintages or from one of our many ‘experiments’. The winery is located on the western side of the Rocky Gully-Frankland Road some 4.5km north of Rocky Gully and 14km south of Frankland.

DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS 2019

VISIT THE FRANKLAND ESTATE CELLAR DOOR

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