2024 Ampersand Rose, Frankland River

The 2024 Rosé is savory and textural: waxy phenolic texture in the mouth creates chew and shape, while the fruit leads with sweet paprika, sumac, strawberries and blood plum. This is good—engaging. Drink 2025 to 2028.

91 points Erin Larkin for The Wine Advocate, June 2025

Ampersand Estates occupies the oldest vineyard site in the Pemberton region, the former Donnelly River Winery, brought back to life by Melissa Bell and Corrie Scheepers after years of dormancy. Pemberton sits in a cool-climate pocket south of Margaret River where deep karri loam soils, generous rainfall and slow ripening produce wines of natural elegance. The estate draws fruit from its own vineyards as well as trusted growers across the region and the Frankland River subregion of the Great Southern. The wines are made in partnership with Rob Mann.

Grenache from Swinney Vineyard in Frankland River is the foundation of this dry rose that also includes 10% of Vermentino. The Mediterranean white variety is known in Provence as Rolle and is often used there to add aromatic freshness and texture to Grenache-based roses. Whole bunch pressed and fermented in old French oak barriques on lees for four months with occasional stirring, giving the wine its characteristic savoury weight without sacrificing the freshness.

The result is lively. Watermelon, raspberry and white-fleshed plum on the nose with a hint of oyster shell. The palate is medium-bodied with a waxy, phenolic texture and a savoury thread of sweet paprika and sumac running alongside the strawberry and blood plum fruit.

Dry and structured, the savoury texture and fruit depth suits a Mediterranean spread: grilled prawns with a romesco sauce and a charcuterie board with pickled vegetables and good bread.

Drink now through 2028.