Poison Hill Riesling
Since 2001 Frankland Estate has produced limited quantities of two additional single vineyard rieslings (Poison Hill & Cooladerra) to complement the Isolation Ridge Vineyard Riesling.
Poison Hill Vineyard
The unconventional name of this vineyard is a result of it being located on the slopes of a hill where Heartleaf Clover is found. This clover is poisonous to all but indigenous animals and posed a threat to the sheep of early settlers who signalled its presence on their maps in typically blunt style. The vineyard has predominantly clay soils and this is reflected in exotically perfumed wines with a silky texture and gentle earthy flavours.
The three vineyards from which fruit for our single vineyard rieslings is sourced are all located within 25 kilometres of each other close to the Frankland River. All benefit from the cool breezes off the Southern Ocean that flow up the river valley in summer moderating the afternoon heat. This provides long, slow ripening conditions for the grapes.
In addition to growing in very similar climatic conditions, each of these wines was made by the same winemaking team at Frankland Estate. Yet despite having so much in common, they are each distinctively different and demonstrate the diversity of flavours and styles possible within the riesling spectrum.
Our aim in making these wines was to demonstrate that the unrivalled sensitivity of riesling grapes to the environment in which they are grown enables them to transmit a sense of terroir into the bouquet and palate of a wine more distinctly than any other white wine variety.
These single vineyard wines offer compelling evidence of riesling's capacity to reflect the different soils and microclimates in which it is grown.
Frankland Estate Poison Hill Riesling has more immediate appeal as a result of softer acidity and beguiling ripe fruit aromas with peach, spice and honeysuckle notes. Like most 2008 riesling's from the region it is more generous than in previous vintages but still has the requisite level of acidity to provide good ageing ability.