2024 Isolation Ridge Syrah
From the original 1988 plantings in our Winery block of the Houghtons heritage clone picked on the 23rd April, combined with some exciting newer 2017 plantings of Hermitage clone 470 which we are finding ripens a little earlier (picked on the 11th April) at lower Baumé on our site and adds a lovely red fruited aromatic to the profile. The stems on this fruit also get ripe so don’t have that herbal element in the whole bunch components. Our cool nights and sunny days produce quite a unique style of Syrah that has more similarities to Saint Joseph or Cornas than the Barossa Valley. Organic certification was achieved on these vineyards in 2009 and we are currently in the second year of Biodynamic conversion.
- 1988 Houghton heritage clone from the Winery Block, plus 2017 plantings of Hermitage clone 470.
- Co-fermented with 1.5% Viognier, 21% whole bunch, mostly 13 months on lees in a 3,500 L foudre.
- Cracked black pepper, mulberry and blackberry with ferrous tannins; closer to Saint Joseph than the Barossa.
- Size
- 750mL
- Type
- Red
- Varietal
- Syrah
Vineyard
Viticulture
The 2024 growing season in Frankland River was notably dry, resulting in low yields and fruit of exceptional intensity and concentration. Careful vineyard management was essential to preserve balance and freshness, with the dry conditions encouraging small berries, thick skins, and deep flavour development. The resulting wine reflects both the power of the season and theprecision of site, combining depth of fruit with a striking mineral backbone.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
Deep dark red with vibrant purple hues. The nose is brooding and complex, revealing touches of cedar and char with a slight reductive edge that gives way to cracked black pepper, black jube and fragrant Indian spices.
Palate
Dense and inky on the palate, the wine delivers layers of ripe mulberry and blackberry framed by hints of dark chocolate. Mouth-coating, ferrous tannins provide impressive structure while retaining a juicy core of fruit. Concentrated yet balanced, the wine carries excellent length, finishing with a savoury, brooding persistence that suggests excellent cellaring potential.
Winemaking
Wine Making
This wine is 98.5% Syrah, 1.5%% Viognier co fermented. 21% Whole bunch parcels that were hand harvested and fermented separately. Matured mainly in 3500L French oak foudre for 13 months with a few of the whole bunch parcels fermented in older French 500L puncheons. All parcels are kept on their lees for the duration of their time in oak adding a creaminess and depth to the palate in the same way as our Rieslings. Our aim is delicacy with power.
Certifications
Certified Organic | Vegan Friendly
Critics
- 96 points, Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot
- 96 points, Shanteh Wale, Wine Pilot
- 95 points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
- 95 points, Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot
- 95 points, Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
- 94 points, Cyndal Petty, Wine Pilot
- 94 points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
Distributed in Australia by Principal Wine.