Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Syrah 2024
- 95
- $65
- Drink by: 2026-2046
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The same vineyard providing the fruit for a scintillating Riesling and a really superb Syrah/Shiraz – the French would have a fit. The team usually incorporate a small percentage of whole bunches in the fermentation and also a dollop of Viognier. And possibly Mourvèdre in some years. Maturation is in older French oak, large foudres, as well as puncheons. The colour is a vibrant dark purple/magenta. This is beautifully perfumed with aromas of florals, black cherries, aniseed, violets, plums, Asian spices and smoked meats. There is exquisite balance, good focus, excellent length and the wine finishes with very fine, sleek tannins. It remains persistent, while the intensity never wavers. A wine which will provide great pleasure over the next fifteen to twenty years.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
