By Fergal Gleeson

I tried my first wine from Rosily Vineyards a few years ago. It was the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc and it was one of the best Australian Sauvignons I tasted that year. So much complexity and depth and all for a very modest $20 per bottle. One to watch.

Rosily Vineyards are a family owned winery in Willyabrup in Margaret River. The vineyards were planted in 1994 and the winery built in 2000. They recently completed the arduous process of getting their vineyards certified organic.

All but their reserve wines are in the $20-27 range. Despite the modest pricing, all the wine is made from estate grown fruit. Rosily have enjoyed considerable trophy and medal success in wine shows.

Winemaker Mick Scott notes that wine show success has further improved since they began farming organically.

Sidebar anecdote: Francophiles will be intrigued that the Rosily name was inspired by a French navigator and cartographer who mapped parts of South West Australia in the late 1700’s and claimed it for France. The French didn’t back up their claim in time with feet on the ground and the English got there first.

An intriguing “what if”  …. beret wearing West Australians whizzing around on their bicycles with obligatory baguettes tucked under their arms …. no meat pies, it’s croc monsieur for lunch… followed by existentialist debate while playing boules.

Fanciful but the Western Australian wine industry would have started 150 year earlier and be many times larger than it is today.

Back to Rosily, here are five of my favourites from the range. Note- I would have also included the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc but it is sold out.

Rosily Vineyards Semillon 2017

Margaret River Semillon is more commonly blended with Sauvignon Blanc but there are plenty of excellent single varietal examples of which this is one. The Rosily Semillon has spent time in oak which provides extra depth and flavour. But it is subtly done, allowing Semillon’s pristine grapefruit flavour to shine.

RRP $25                Rating 3.5 stars

 

Rosily Vineyards Chardonnay 2017

Rosily manage to work a lot of complexity into their whites and so it is with this Chardonnay. This comes from the winemaking but also the variety of different Chardonnay clones that Rosily have available to bring extra detail to the flavour. There is nothing anaemic about Margaret River Chardonnay. Rosily’s is generous and accessible in taste but doesn’t slip down the “buttery slide” of Chardonnays past. They are right in the middle of the regional style.

RRP $27                Rating 3.5 stars

 

Rosily Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay 2016

This is an opulent Chardonnay with plenty of complexity. There are yeast and toast characters courtesy of lees stirring and high quality French oak. The fruit flavours of nectarine, grapefruit and white peach are not overawed. Delicious full bodied Chardonnay.

RRP $50                Rating 4 stars

 

Rosily Vineyards Merlot 2015

This is even better their 2014 Merlot. An outstanding wine that you could slip into a tasting with wines of twice the price and it wouldn’t be out of place. A floral and fruity nose flows through to the taste which has plums and blackberry fruit. Fine tannins to finish. A smooth operator.

RRP $20                Rating 4 stars

Rosily Vineyards Reserve Cabernet 2015

An imperious red which makes it’s mark immediately with a dark brooding presence, black fruit and chocolate flavours. Tannins are prominent but smooth. The Reserves are a relatively new addition for Rosily but absolutely worthy of being given special treatment.

RRP $50                Rating 4.5 stars

More at www.rosily.com.au