Noted the wines of Frankland Estate were tasted in Adelaide while the wines of Umamu Estate were tasted in Melbourne.

Frankland Estate

Frankland Estate is growing up to be a leading winery of Western Australia. The owner Hunter Smith nowadays is not only a Riesling master, but also a sophisticated maker of red wines. Being certified organic since the 2009. Mixing two different clones for the Riesling vines. Barrel fermented and partial (about 5%) barred aged, staying on lees for 10 months. Made from a low-yielding vintage, Isolation Ridge Vineyard Riesling 2025 was pristine, limpid and refined. Presenting in the glass tardily and distinctively with entrancing aromas of…(for all the details, please subscribe)…toward the finish that revealed terrific balance and vibrancy. Fantastic! Very elegant Isolation Ridge Vineyard Syrah 2024 was sweetly floral and spicy. Olmo's Reward is nearly a straight Cabernet Franc, which includes only 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 0.5% Malbec in the assemblage for Olmo's Reward 2023. All varieties used in the blend are dry farmed on mature vines in the Isolation Ridge Vineyard grown on gravel loams over clays, and the fruits of Cabernet Franc come from the original block where the vines are approximately 40 years old (this best, oldest parcel is also planted with Riesling that is used for producing the flagship white wines Isolation Ridge Vineyard Riesling and Smith Cullam Riesling). Each variety is fermented separately as slowly as possible in the open fermenters, with an extended maceration after the fermentation; punching down; maturing in large oak barrels for 15 months. The unexpectedly aristocratic and extraordinarily lucid sniff made me speechless, with the fairly complete notes of…(for all the details, please subscribe)…strengthened the freshness and vitality. A finesse-styled beauty that would age gracefully for 15-20 years. Arguably the most soul-stirring Cabernet Franc outside France.

Umamu Estate

Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2005 was clean and bright on the well-evolved bouquet of chestnut, marmalade, spices, stone and lime. Beautiful texture, with tiny bitterness toward the finish. Detailed and bright, Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 belonged to elegantly herbal style. Dried flower, fresh herb, spices, blackberry, cranberry, citrus and cedar made up the alluring aroma. Tense and acidic on the ethereal finish that had subtle density.