2023 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
"So delicate yet with so much flavour. This is a wonderful product of the '23 vintage. Loads of fragrant tropical aromas with a dash of citrus. But the key is a little bit of barrel maturation which takes it to another level of interest and appeal. It's just a tweak but it works beautifully. 92 points." - Ray Jordan, WA Wine Guide 2024
"The Rosily Semillon Sauvignon Blanc retains the traditionally dominant semillon grape as the major variety. This family-owned estate, which recently completed the conversion to registered organics, tends to fly under the radar, but steadily sell out of this delicious rendition of the style each year. While still sitting comfortably in the dry, aromatic summer white style, the mature vine semillon, and partial fermentation in oak, adds texture and provides an extra richness and depth to the wine. There’s the youthful, limoncello and grass aromatics with, as Estate Manager Sam Castleden describes it, a dash of “pineapple” and “leatherwood honey” beneath.
Like so many 2023's this sings sweetly from the first whiff. Aromatics are reminiscent of limoncello, lemongrass, loquat, hay and honeysuckle. The palate has all the zing and freshness demanded of the style, with an extra layer of flavours and modest richness. Think concentrated lemon, kaffir lime, mandarin pith, wax and subtle toast. Competes very favourably with many of its prestigious Margaret River neighbours". 92/100 - Paul Edwards, The West Australian 25/11/23
"This wine gets some toasty oak treatment, but not enough to subdue the lovely tropical fruits backed by nettles, cut grass and lemons. This is a towering SSB, with rich, ripe, exciting flavours that flood the senses. It’s terrific drinking already but history shows that these wines fill out for several years. 96 points. Bargain BUY" - Kim Brebach, bestwinesunder20.com.au Aug 2023
"The Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2023 is very good. Tastes of green apple, oear and some grassy notes. Oak fermentation and ageing provides extra weight and complexity but the wine remains fresh and vibrant. 3.5 stars" - Fergal Gleeson, greatwineblog, Aug 2023
Past Vintage Reviews and Awards
2022 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
"Okay, so this is an SSB, but there is something lurking in the background – muscadelle. I don’t know who thought of it, but it works so well, just adding the faintest additional infusion of complexity to a style that is generally quite predictable. I like the idea and I like the wine which retains its vibrant fresh fruit-driven characters. Oh, and there is a little French oak influence as well. An interesting style. 92 points" - Ray Jordan, WA Wine Guide 2023
"Plenty of energy and drive with this varietal duo working in unison. Finger limes, crushed makrut lime leaves, lemon balm and Chinese gooseberries lead the flavour profile. There’s texture and depth and all in all, it's a stylish wine. 90 points." - Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion, Nov 2022
"The white blend that Margaret River does best. It’s fresh, crisp and tangy in its youth, and mellows gracefully for 5 years or more. There’s a twist of lemon and fine acidity from the Semillon, and some time in oak has rounded things out and added extra interest. Perfect pitch. 94+ points. BUY." - Kim Brebach, bestwinesunder20.com.au, July 2022
2021 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
- Silver medal - 2021 Australian Small Winemakers Show
"This SSB has spent time in oak, and it more restrained as a result, and more complex, and will need more time to reach its peak, usually around 4 – 5 years. 93+ points. It’s a BUY but I prefer the preservative-free version at this stage". - Kim Brebach, Bestwinesunder20.com
"Dried herb and bracken-like aromas, the palate restrained and delicate, pleasantly dry and crisp with appetising flavour and texture. A less-grassy style of this blend of varieties from this region, which appeals. Good intensity and length. #2 of 18 Australian 2021 Semillon Blends" - Huon Hook, therealreview.com, 18th Sept 2021
"Bright juicy lemon, touch of floral, good handling oak" - WA Boutique Wine Show judges comment, Nov 2021
2019 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
"An exotic blend of 61.4% semillon, 33% sauvignon blanc, 3% chardonnay and 2.6% muscadelle. It's fast out of the blocks with its array of fruits, mainly tropical ex the sauvignon blanc, but also with a generous dose of lemon from the semillon. Its quality comes from the elegance and persistence of the finish and aftertaste. 95 points." - James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, July 2020.
"The best young Semillon Sauvignon Blanc I’ve tasted in a year or more. It’s young of course, crisp and crunchy with searing intensity and real depth of flavour. Lemons, grass and nettles sing in harmony here, while a gentle touch of oak adds polish and texture. A seamless wine of great line and length, with perfect pitch. Will fill out in the next year or two, and turn into a soft, round creature over several more years. 96 points". - Kim Brebach, bestwinesunder20.com.au, Sept 2019
2018 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
- Gold medal - 2018 Australian Small Winemakers Show
- Silver medal - 2018 Royal Sydney Wine Show
- Silver medal - 2018 WA Boutique Wine Show
"An estate-grown, hand-picked 60/40% blend that has an impressive show record, 28% matured for 2 months in new French oak (which is particularly evident on the bouquet). It's not until the finish and aftertaste of the palate that it makes its mission statement where tangy, citrussy acidity brings the flavours into the front row. You have to believe there's more to the wine that will become evident over the next 4+ years. 94 points." - James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, Aug 2019
"This cleverly made blend has been quite a winner for rosily in recent years. It gets a dab of French oak, which transforms the abundant primary fruit into something with more complexity and interest. This is the product of a very good vintage. Crunchy and alive with punchy, driving flavour. Handles cellaring too - 92 points" - Ray Jordan, WA Wine Guide 2019
2017 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
- GOLD & TROPHY - Best Semillon and Sauvignon Blend, 2017 Margaret River Wine Show
- GOLD - WA Boutique Wine Show 2017
- SILVER - Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2017
"Fresh and crunchy, long and lovely, perfect seafood wine. A touch of oak adds a hint of creamy complexity as the wine ages – they hold back a portion of the wine for 5 years – but it doesn’t impact on the blush of youth. Classic Margaret River SSB, pitch perfect. 94 points." - Kim Brebach, bestwinesunder20.com.au, Aug 2017
"Follows the Rosily style of adding a smidgeon of oak. It works so well and creates the structure and palate to enable it to age for a few years, creating something beyond the standard fare for this blend. Texturally terrific. Crunchy and vibrant with a juicy character that is so appealing. You could drink a bit of this - 92 points" - Ray Jordan, Aug 2017
"Very light straw-green hue and an intense herbal, lemon, cedar and snowpea aroma. A smidge of oak, well used. The palate is quite intense and has some concentration, which is rare in this category. The palate is balanced, with lively acidity balanced by good flavour which persists. Firm finish. (60/40 blend)." - 91 points, ranked #1 of 15 Australian Semillon / Sauvignon blends tasted - Huon Hooke, huonhooke.com, 29/09/17
"A 60/40% blend, 700 dozen made, 30% matured (not fermented) in new French oak for 6 weeks. Given the 5 years in bottle for the '12 Cellar Release, it may well be even better than the '12, now released as a museum special. 91 points." - James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, Aug 2018
2016 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
GOLD - Royal Perth Wine Show 2016
GOLD - Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2016
GOLD & TROPHY - Winewise Small Vignerons Awards 2016
GOLD - WA Boutique Wine Show 2016
GOLD - Australian Small Winemakers Show 2016
Ranked #1 of 18 Margaret River Semillon blends tasted - huonhooke.com 4/3/17
"Slightly reductive aroma with a mineral, smoky, 'crushed rock' aroma. The wine is fresh and crisp, tangy and lively on the tongue, with excellent flavour and minerality. It has more than a suggestion of Sancerre about it. Lovely wine, much more than simplistic fruit." Drink 2017 - 2022, 4.5 stars, 93 points. - Huon Hooke, huonhooke.com March 2017.
2015 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
"Bright, light to medium yellow colour, with a slight savoury, nutty note of barrel fermentation. The wine is rich and intense, with good fruit concentration skilfully balanced with some oak inputs. The finish is long, savoury, dry, balanced and resonant. Properly ripe grapes. Excellent wine." 4.5 stars, 93 points - Huon Hooke, Huonhooke.com 29/8/2016
- Ranked #1 of 15 Margaret River Semillon blends tasted - huonhooke.com 29/8/16
- 90 points - James Halliday, 2017 Australian Wine Companion
2014 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
"A 65/35% blend from estate grown fruit, 40% aged in new French oak for two months. Lovely depth of fruit, with an added textural element from the oak ageing. Citrus and herbal notes with a fresh, mineral finish. Drink 2015-2018. Decanter Magazine Margaret River 2015 Lift-out "Dream Dozen; great white Bordeaux blends from the 2014 vintage"
"Low-cropping 20-year-old vines have produced an intensely flavoured 65/35% blend with an added dimension ex French oak maturation. There are grassy/ herbal notes ex the semillon, tropical ex the sauvignon blanc – the two strands seamlessly bound together. The wine will gain from two years’ maturation. - 93 points" James Halliday's Wine Companion, top value wines under $20.00
"The best Semillon Sauvignon Blend we’ve tasted in some time. Searing freshness combines with real depth of tangy flavour, great line and length, benchmark SSB, will improve for 2-3 years. 94 points. Bargain BUY." Kim Brebach, www.bestwinesunder20.com.au
"Just a little dab of French oak has added the finishing touches to this wine. Tropical herbaceous primary fruit characters have the lemon oak influence to thank for pushing it to another level of interest. Clean fruit and a balanced crisp finish. Nice wine - 92 points." – Ray Jordan, The West Australian Wine Guide 2015
2013 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
◦GOLD 2013 Small Vigneron Awards
"A 65/35% estate-grown blend, 40% matured (not fermented) in 100% new French oak for 12 months. Over the years the wine has won numerous gold medals, and more than a few trophies - this a gold medal at Winewise '13. The thoroughly unconventional vinification works well, leaving the focus on the sweet, fleshy citrus/lemon and tropical fruits, bolstered by very good mouthfeel. Great value - 95 points". James Halliday, July 27 2014
"Green citrus, spring onion spicy and hint of nutmeg. Structure. Tightness. Viscosity. Intensity. Very balanced. Pessac-Leognan like. ****" CH'NG Poh Tiong , Decanter China March 2014
2012 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
- GOLD & TROPHY 2013 Boutique Wine Awards
- GOLD 2013 National Cool Climate Wine Show
"Bright, medium to full yellow colour and a very attractive lemon, herb, honey and subtle toast, cedar and nut bouquet. The wine is intense and rich in flavour, and has built some very tasty complexities with age. The finish is long and emphatic, the wine endowed with power and persistence. Very stylish wine and great value. (Trophy, best white blend, 2013 Boutique Wine Awards. 65/35 blend. 40% was aged in new French oak for 2 months)" - 96 points, ranked #1 of 17 tasted 25/09/17. Huon Hooke, Huonhooke.com
"With the use of French oak here, this wine was set up from the start to support medium term ageing. And it has come along quite beautifully with a toasty lemon butter aroma and a rich engaging palate. It shows yet again that, when well made with some winemaking influence, these wines really do have cellaring potential, reaching another dimension in complexity - 93 points." - Ray Jordan, WA Wine Guide 2018
"A complex and classy SSB. There's mandarin and lemon zest with herby grassy notes, all backboned by a firm structure and a silky smooth texture thanks to a lick of oak." - Gold Medal (95 points)- Scoop Magazine blind tasting, Spring Issue 2013
"An estate-grown 65/35% blend, 40% matured in new French oak for two months; a consistent winner of show awards over the last seven vintages. This wine has a tightly focused and structured palate with grass, herb and lemon zest to the ore, and the barest hint of toasty oak. It has considerable length, and will cellar well. Exceptional value. 520 dozen made. - 93 points" - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2013
"Light yellow colour. Nutty and spicy aromas suggesting a hint of barrel, over savoury and only lightly herbal fruit. Light but intense, dry and long. I like the savouriness of this style. It's not a fruity wine by any means. The flavours would not pall." Huon Hooke, Huon Hooke.com Aug 2013
"The influence of French oak leaves quite a statement on the nose. It certainly adds to the distinctive character and works neatly with the lemon dominance of the Semillon. Balanced and crisp with a racy acid to the long finish. A wine that will work well over the next few years." – Ray Jordan, The West Australian Wine Guide 2013
2011 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
◦GOLD 2015 Margaret River Wine Show
◦SILVER 2014 Royal Perth Wine Show
◦SILVER 2013 Royal Perth Wine Show
◦SILVER 2012 Decanter World Wine Awards
"Light to medium yellow hue, youthful for its age, and a fresh salad-leafy aroma, with some green herb notes as well. Chervil. The palate has a trace of spritz as well as a touch of grip. It’s a nicely shaped and balanced wine. Very intense, and also very appealing in the mouth. It concludes with a touch of spice. Lovely drinking dry white, still fresh and young at five years" 4.5 stars, 93 points, ranked #3 out of 32 Margaret River 2011 Semillon blends tasted. - Huon Hooke, Huonhooke.com 29/8/2016
"It’s museum release and it shows how long-lived these SSB blends can be. It’s still quite fresh and crisp, with more complexity than the younger whites, and more texture from a touch of French oak. 94 points. BUY. Kim Brebach, May 2016, www.bestwinesunder20.com.au
"A tight and somewhat bracing SSB made along classic Margaret River lines. I like the intensity of the fruit and the gentleness of the acid. It all seems to sit so well together. A little French oak has brought a level of sophistication to the wine which elevates it to another level. An excellent wine for the next few years. - 93 points" - Ray Jordan, The West Australian Fresh, March 29 2012
2010 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
◦SILVER 2011 Decanter World Wine Awards
◦SILVER MEDAL 2010 Sheraton Wine Awards
◦SILVER 2010 Royal Perth Wine Show
◦SILVER 2010 Margaret River Wine Show
"This quiet achiever from Margaret River excels, and here is a classy example of the regions most famous blend; intense and focussed, showing crunchingly pure-white tropical flavours, a hint of spicy oak and a vibrant zippy finish." – Peter Forrestal, STM Magazine February 6th, 2011
"This was still just so tight at the time of tasting but looked unbelievably promising. There's a small amount of french oak in there, which works perfectly with the grassy herbal and subtle lemon tropical fruits. A well made wine that will improve." - 92 points – Ray Jordan, The West Australian, 7th Oct 2010
2009 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
◦SILVER 2009 Royal Perth Wine Show
"Takes the approach of the Sauvignon Blanc one step further, due in part to the 65% Semillon component, and also maturation in oak. Has good length, structure and persistence of flavour in a white Bordeaux style." - 94 points – James Halliday
2008 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
◦GOLD 2008 Royal Hobart Wine Show
◦SILVER 2009 International Wine Challenge
"Slight coffee notes with fresh lemon and nettles on nose. Dry full and herbal on palate, fresh with good length." International Wine Challenge
2007 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
◦GOLD 2007 Small Winemakers Show
◦SILVER 2007 Qantas Wine Show
◦SILVER 2008 Royal Sydney Wine Show
"Another quality wine from this small producer, highly vegetal lifted aromas of cut zucchini and tomato leaf. Also sweet hits - lemon drops and fruit sherbet. Buttery oak complexity provides a foundation for a seamless green fruit palate with firm finish. A shining example of crafted wine. Poised." Spice Magazine
2006 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
◦GOLD & TROPHY 2007 Decanter World Wine Awards
◦TOP OF CLASS 2007 Boutique Wine Awards
◦SILVER 2007 International Wine Challenge
"Fine, elegant, long and fresh; a seamless flow of fruit and a light touch of barrel ferment French oak. Top class and great value". Rating 93 points, drink to 2010 – James Halliday
"The 2006 vintage was the coolest on record, giving the award winning wine both good flavour and acid backbone, though perhaps atypical of the area. It is a fresh, early drinking wine with complexity thanks to some well-managed oak, and goes well with seafood. We’re thinking crayfish and scallops" – Decanter.com
2005 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
◦GOLD 2006 Royal Sydney Wine Show
◦SILVER 2005 Qantas Mt Barker Show
"More than a decade of hard work is paying off for the Allan and Scott families. This is their best SSB yet, with greater intensity than before, attractive tropical fruit flavours, a hint of grassiness,fresh, zesty and vibrant." – Peter Forrestal
2005 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc Reserve
◦Silver 2008 Margaret River Wine Show
◦Silver 2008 Australian Small Winemakers Show
"A very sophisticated blend with powerful fruit intensity merged with a seamless touch of French oak. Excellent balance with nice acid to finish. A wine that will continue to improve. Rating 90 points" – Ray Jordan
"Parsley and snapped twig herbal aromas; a lacing of nutty French oak which solices well with the regional fruit flavour. Good weight, depth, and a firm dry finish." – Huon Hooke