Isolation Ridge sounds like such a lonely place. Windswept and cold. But you know what? The spicy generosity in this super Syrah doesn't show that at all. Made from the 1988-planted old vineyard, this cool and classy Frankland River red is all beautiful purple fruit, with lines of cranberry, mulberry and blue fruits, then this fine, peppery fragrant line right through the middle. It is medium-bodied but does not lack anything; it's a great Australian red.

Introducing the inimitable and unmissable Frankland Estate. Their story starts in the aptly named 'Isolation Ridge'. If you travelled back 40 years and visited this remote outpost, you would probably stumble across a flock of sheep. Lucky for us, in 1985, the owners Barrie Smith and Judie Cullam took a fortuitous tour of the French winemaking regions. It was there that the dice were cast, and they decided grapes were their future. Fast forward to what is now a family affair, with daughter Liz and son Hunter running what has become one of WA's finest wineries. And a special mention to Gladys. Technically a fowl, she is the queen of a flock that manages (devours) bugs and pests who might otherwise damage the vines. Gladys, like the rest of the team, is dedicated to organic viticulture, allowing the soil and environment to do the talking with minimal human disturbance. If Frankland Estate's legacy is to pass on this land in even better condition than they found it, they've surely achieved it. We're just glad we can enjoy their wines in the process.