Vasse Felix

Written By Angus Hughson

2026 Vasse Felix Chardonnay Release

The 2024 Margaret River growing season was warm, dry and compact with picking taking place four weeks earlier than the average. The widespread and abundant flowering of Marri trees kept the birds busy and away from the vineyards. It was a short and sharp vintage but the results are brilliant, aided by Virginia Willcock’s and her team’s exceptional winemaking skills. Heytesbury is an example of purity and precision, while the standard chardonnay (based on primarily gin gin clone) is more that standard. It’s an exceptional release that offers a classic Margaret River Chardonnay experience. The Single Plot DHH1 Chardonnay, from five-year-old plantings in Wallcliffe, is more than half-decent but is caught between the Ying and the Yang. Nonetheless this is an exceptional release and highlight’s Vasse Felix’s leading edge.

2024 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay, Margaret River – Western Australia

Pale colour. Lovely pure grapefruit nectarine tonic water aromas with hints of marzipan. Supple and minerally with ample grapefruit, lemon curd, nectarine flavours, fine looseknit chalky textures, attractive mid palate richness, a touch of vanilla/ marzipan and underlying saline/ crunchy acidity. Super long and tangy at the finish, giving the wine freshness and mineral length. Will develop further with bottle age. A reference Margaret River Chardonnay. Maturation in French oak barriques (85%) and puncheons (15%). Roughly 53% new and 47% seasoned barrels for 10 months and a further 6 months in tank. Drink now – 2040. 13.5% alc 98 points

2024 Vasse Felix Single Plot DHH1 Chardonnay, Margaret River – Western Australia

Pale colour. Lifted and expressive grapefruit, white peach, hint grilled nut aromas with tonic water notes. Bittersweet palate with ample grapefruit, lime, lemon pastille fruits, fine lacy/ touch al-dente textures, very good overall richness and long indelible/ cutting acidity. Bitter lemon/ lime notes with a phenolic twist at the finish. Refreshing and engaging style. Ready to drink. 11 months maturation in seasoned French oak barriques. Drink now – 2032 13.5% alc 94 points

2024 Vasse Felix Chardonnay, Margaret River – Western Australia

Pale colour. Intense grapefruit, yellow peach, nectarine, hint vanilla aromas with bitter lemon notes. Creamy and expressive with ample pure grapefruit, ripe peach, marzipan, flavours, fine slinky/ light chalky textures, lovely mid-plate viscosity and well-balanced fresh acidity. Some toasty complexity at the finish. This is about as good as it gets with this price point. 10 months maturation in 30% and seasoned French oak barriques followed by five months in tank. A great success. Punches well above its price point. Drink now – keep for a while. 13.5% alc 96+ points

2025 Vasse Felix Release

2023 Vasse Felix Single Plot DHJ1 Chardonnay, Margaret River – Western Australia

Pale colour. Lovely grapefruit, lemon curd, tonic water aromas with marzipan vanilla notes. Superbly balanced wine with ample grapefruit, bitter lemon flavours, fine slinky al dente textures, lovely mid-palate viscosity, underlying vanilla, grilled nut notes and fine cutting acidity. Finishes bittersweet with lemon tonic notes. A textbook gingin clone chardonnay with incredible volume, richness of flavour and mineral freshness. Drink now – 2032 12.5% alc 96 points

2023 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay, Margaret River – Western Australia

Pale colour. Intense grapefruit, bitter lemon aromas with roasted almond, vanilla notes. Pure, buoyant and refined with fresh grapefruit, honey dew melon, tonic water flavours, fine loose knit al dente textures, attractive creamy mid-palate and well-integrated marzipan vanilla notes. Finishes chalky, crisp and minerally. Delicious wine. Drink now – 2036 13% alc 97 points

2021 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec, Margaret River – Western Australia

Medium deep crimson. Classical blackcurrant, redcurrant pastille, dark chocolate aromas with cedar, roasted chestnut notes and hints of herb garden. Beautifully concentrated and inky deep claret style with ample cassis, mulberry, redcurrant fruits, fine grainy tannins and superbly balanced roasted chestnut, vanilla, cedar wood notes. Finishes firm and tight with chinotto, hint leafy nuances. Refined and elegant with superb definition and flow. A top-notch Magaret River Cabernet with a great cellaring future. Keep for the medium to long term. 81% cabernet sauvignon, 19% malbec. 62% new and 32% seasoned (2-4 yrs) French oak Barriques. 14% alc 98 points

Angus Hughson
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