Print this Wine         1996 Frankland Estate "Isolation Ridge" Shiraz   FRANKLAND, GREAT SOUTHERN                 January Release   Shiraz       Without any doubt this is the finest release of "Isolation Ridge" to date. Until now the Bordeaux variety blend "Olmo’s Reward" would have been regarded as Frankland’s flagship red wine but now here is a serious challenger. The vineyards are really starting to mature now and producing some of the best fruit anywhere in Australia. Immediately the appearance of the wine dictates that it is loaded with character. The color is a dark blood red with the hues extending all the way to the rim. The nose is highly perfumed with juicy fruit flavors combining with lifted floral aromatics such as violets and five star anise. The fruit flavors evident are dark cherry and stewed plums with a hint of boiled beetroot. Obviously the wine has distinct Shiraz varietal character, however it does not appear to be Australian in nature, leaning more to the Rhone Valley in France. All in all it is very complex, particularly for a fruit driven wine. Again the luscious nature of the fruit is dominant on the palate. All of the spicy overtones are evident and there is a hint of toasty oak but it certainly is in the background given the intensity of the fruit. The wine displays a very smooth texture with a soft finish that has more obvious acid than tannin. The wine will develop over the next 3 - 6 years, however with the lively nature of the fruit it is hard to resist drinking it right at the moment. Select spicy, Asian inspired dishes and the combination of fragrances will work well together. The sweet fruit flavors will counter the salty tang of soy sauce and the acid at the finish of the wine will prevent the sweetness of say a plum sauce being too cloying.

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