Frankland Estate SmithCullam Riesling 2023
- 97
- $80
- Drink by: 2024-2044
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From the famous Isolation Ridge vineyard at the Estate, planted in 1988, this wine is only made when the vintage is good enough. The grapes destined for this wine are harvested a few days before the Isolation Ridge Riesling and then whole bunch pressed. Fermentation depends on what the season offers, this vintage 40% went in 500 litre oak for four to six weeks and the rest in tank. After chilling to halt fermentation, the wine spends nine months on lees (barrel and tank). The technique imbues the wine with a gentle off-dry note. Just 110 dozen made. Just love this! Shining yellow, we have balance, intensity, concentration and class. Notes of spices, oyster shells, lemon, grapefruit, riverstones and lemon pith. The highlight is the astounding intensity. The wine is so well balanced, which runs for the full journey. There is a hint of nectarine on the finish. This is a possible twenty year proposition. Just wow!
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.
