Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot
This 2024 Syrah Isolation Ridge shows impressive poise and subtlety with savoury, aged spice and dark earth against a backdrop of blackberry, with excellent fruit definition. Very youthful with a firm base of gravelly tannins while the fresh, integrated acidity is well balanced with layers of cherry compote, earth and spice. There is a charming tension and vitality, a long, fine and streamlined finish showcasing serious potential to flower in a bottle. Still tightly bound, this needs years but is destined for great things. A benchmark Frankland River Shiraz. 96 points
Shanteh Wale, Wine Pilot
From the famed single vineyard planted in 1988 and certified organic vines. This site manages to enhance and illuminate its features, first by capturing the lilac and olive grove aromas, secondly by reinforcing those wild aromatics with potent fruit power. Here blueberries, hawthorn and plum skin. Savoury notes of fresh bay leaf and sage, tapenade and black peppercorn. Red clay and punchy bright acidity makes it a medium bodied drink with some sandy tannins and long lines of flavour. A wine that could compliment almost any tomato braised dish, think charred capsicum, cherry tomatoes and chorizo smooshed into a baguette. Or cellar further for 5-8 years further. A very impressive wine. 96 points
Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
Highly appealing, thanks to the gorgeous colour, heady aromas and plush palate. Floral and spicy with a dash of pepper, fresh herbs and a ferrous influence. There’s a plushness across the fuller-bodied palate as it unfurls, offering dark fruits, textural tannins and fine acidity. 95 points
Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot
A wine that expresses the regionality of Frankland River, but also the meticulous attention to detail in the vineyard from this producer that has seen the wine evolve into one of the finest examples of this variety released in Western Australia. It's in that medium body zone, hence the name syrah. Displays a light cherry and plum note with a little blue fruit on the nose and a fine underlying minerality. The oak is neatly integrated and the tannins fine and chalky. This was a very hot year and yet astute vineyard management and winemaking has produced a most stylish expression of this variety. 95 points
Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
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. 95 points
Cyndal Petty, Wine Pilot
An effortlessly chic Syrah from the cool air of Frankland River. Mulberry, rosehip and warm concrete. In the mouth, it’s medium-bodied, but generous nonetheless, with raw cacao-like tannins that feel both chocolatey and squeaky. The fruit is bright and wrapped in liquorice and rusty-nail minerality. It’s bound tight to begin, I’d suggest throwing it through a decanter and drinking it with a juicy sausage. 94 points
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
Pretty aromatics and a well-composed, mid-weight palate, lead to well sustained finish. Everything here feels impeccably placed. Cherry-plum flavours, roasted peanuts, peppercorns and an array of dried herbs. There’s an aspect of velvet to the texture but overall it feels fresh and energetic. This wine is still properly finding its feet but it will be beautiful in time. 94 points
