Fermented in stainless steel, the 2009 Cooladerra Ridge Riesling has pronounced aromas of passion fruit, pineapple and kumquat plus some crushed stones and a fragrant whiff of frangipani. Crisp, dry and with more viscosity than most Rieslings, this medium bodied wine has great concentration and a long finish. Drink it now to 2020+. “We planted Riesling when we planted our vineyard in 1988,” Judy Cullam of Frankland Estate explained when we met. “There’s a big Riesling vineyard next to us that Houghton’s had been leasing, so we knew the variety would do well. Our first vintage was the 1991. In the beginning when we would show the wine people would say to us, ‘Oh no, come back with a Chardonnay’.” Fortunately that attitude is changing and many wine cognoscenti now know that the Frankland region is begetting some world class Rieslings. Since 2001 Frankland Estate has moved from producing a regional blend to making three very impressive single vineyard Rieslings: Isolation Ridge, Cooladerra Ridge and Poison Hill.Importer: John Larchet, The Australian Premium Wine Collection; www.tapwc.com

The 2008 Dry Riesling Cooladerra Vineyard features mineral and lemon-lime aromatics. On the palate it is a touch off-dry (3.8g RS) reminiscent of a fine Mosel Kabinett. It will appeal more to those who struggle with the steely personalities of the finest totally dry Australian Rieslings. It will drink well for another 5-7 years. Frankland Estate is one of Australia’s premier purveyors of Dry Riesling. The 2008 releases are uniformly outstanding.Importer: John Larchet, The Australian Premium Wine Collection; www.tapwc.com.au