2024 Ampersand Riesling, Frankland River

The 2024 Riesling is lean and tightly coiled, with lemon pith, verbena, candlewax and brine. It is brisk and crunchy, very attractive indeed. Drink 2025 to 2034.

92 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.

The fruit for this Riesling is from the Swinney Vineyard in the Frankland River subregion of the Great Southern, one of Western Australia's most consistent sources of premium Riesling fruit. Hand harvested in the cool of the morning and chilled overnight before whole bunch pressing, the slightly cloudy juice fermented slowly in tank at low temperature to preserve the aromatics, then rested on lees for four months before bottling.

The 2024 is lean and tightly wound. Lime, lemon myrtle, rosehip and a hint of juniper on the nose with a candlewax and briny mineral thread running underneath. The palate is brisk and crystalline, fine-boned and textural with a steely acid line driving through to a clean, dry finish.

Precise and restrained now with the structure to develop over the next several years.

The wine has clarity and mineral precision that suits clean and delicate flavours. Sashimi with a lighter ponzu and grilled snapper with lemon and capers would both work well here.

Drink now through 2034.