2021 Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Mourvèdre

Mourvèdre was first planted on the Isolation Ridge Vineyard in 2005. From 2014 it has been released irregularly as a varietal wine under our “small batch” label in the manner of Grüner Veltliner or Touriga Nacional. With the maturity of the vines – together with our deepening understanding of the grape and the wine it wanted to be – we’re thrilled to announce its ascendancy to the Isolation Ridge range. It is also a key component in Isolation Ridge Syrah, SmithCullam Syrah and – for the first time in the 2020 vintage – Olmo’s Reward. The grapes were destemmed and fermented in small, open pots. The wine was pressed reasonably quickly after primary ferment to keep the tannins in check, then matured in puncheons for 14 months. We love this wine’s savoury aspect and the way it highlights the elegance with power that comes from Isolation Ridge. With vine age, the signature ferrous notes are clearly written. This wine has an exciting future.

Vibrant, translucent ruby in colour. The nose has notes of rose petals, musk and lavender with cranberry, redcurrant, morello cherry, pastrami, sweet spices and terracotta. Though complex, the nose presents as pretty and compact with underlying stoniness, which precisely mimics the first impression in the mouth. There’s small red-berry brightness to the medium-bodied palate, and gradually those charcuterie and dry-earth notes emerge with iodine and graphite. Musky, petally perfumes waft over terracotta on a pin-point finish with powdery tannins. An understated wine with real intrigue. – Hunter Smith, Frankland Estate