Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay 2023

Vasse Felix, situated in Western Australia's Margaret River region, has emerged as a symbol of outstanding winemaking ever since its establishment in 1967. This highly regarded winery has been instrumental in elevating Margaret River to the status of one of Australia's top wine regions, leaving an indelible mark on its development and reputation. Vasse Felix got its name from its founder, Dr. Tom Cullity. An avid historian, Dr. Cullity named the vineyard Vasse Felix, which means 'lucky/happy' Vasse. He hoped that the vineyard would enjoy a happier fate than the original Vasse, a French sailor who sought refuge in the region in the late 18th century. The name Vasse Felix has since become synonymous with the winery's commitment to excellence and its role in shaping the Margaret River region into a premier wine destination. Vasse Felix wines embody the spirit, passion and unparalleled quality that have come to define the Margaret River region in Western Australia. With a legacy spanning over five decades, Vasse Felix stands as a beacon of winemaking excellence, consistently producing wines that showcase the unique terroir and character of the region. The Margaret River wine region in Australia is known for its exceptional wines and beautiful landscapes. With a maritime climate and diverse soils, it provides ideal conditions for grape cultivation. The region's commitment to small-scale, artisanal winemaking produces high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and other varietals. 

At the heart of Vasse Felix's portfolio is their iconic Cabernet Sauvignon, a true testament to the winery's dedication to crafting world-class wines. Grown in the region's renowned gravelly soils, these Cabernet Sauvignon grapes develop exceptional complexity, depth and structure. The resulting wines display an elegant balance of ripe black fruits, refined tannins, and a lingering finish, making them a true delight for any wine lover. In addition to their stellar Cabernet Sauvignon, Vasse Felix is equally renowned for their expressive Chardonnay. Grown in the region's cool climate and ancient soils, these Chardonnay grapes produce wines of remarkable finesse and vibrancy. Vasse Felix's commitment to sustainable viticulture is evident in their vineyard practices. Embracing organic and biodynamic principles, the winery ensures that their vines are in harmony with the environment. This dedication to sustainability not only preserves the land for future generations but also enhances the purity and authenticity of their wines.

Crafted from selected sites and clones producing lighter bodied and elegantly weighted Chardonnay fruit. Each parcel was handled with respect to the unique qualities imbued by the vineyard with natural fermentation, varying solids levels, judicious use of oak and batch specific battonage. For the first time crafting this wine we incorporated three new, large format French oak foudres for maturation in combination with French oak barriques. The foudres allowed for great preservation of fruit and some unique development characters. Following seven months maturation the individual parcels were seamlessly blended. The selected fruit parcels and the winemaking approach combine to produce a wine of harmony and finesse with balance, complexity and a clean, bright palate. The result is a typical Vasse Felix varietal Margaret River Chardonnay. Maturation in French oak barrique and foudre 5% new barriques, 5% new foudres, 90% 1-7 year old barriques, 7 months.

This is a contemporary house style with versatile drinkability. It is a vibrant and modern Chardonnay with pure fruit, wild complexities and mouth-watering natural acidity. An earlier drinking style with alluring savoury nuances from Vasse Felix’s quality-led, minimal intervention winemaking approach.

Nose - Vibrant, Tangy, White Flowers
Opens with pretty fruit fragrances of peach blossom, mandarin pith and lemon sorbet notes. Underpinned by hints of apple pie crust, lemongrass and lightly spicy sandalwood. With time, these notes will develop more beautiful savoury complexities.

Palate - Toasty, Leesy, Juicy Acidity
An incredibly fresh entry with a juicy and soft palate fills the mouth, then morphs into a light, dry flowing finish. Beautifully balanced floral, green apple and firm nectarine notes

Finish - Saline, Zesty, Biscuity
Finishes fresh, with traces of lemon sorbet and granita biscuits.

A doorway to the renowned Vasse Felix style (but a delicious wine in its own right) this opens with vibrant, tangy fruit, like fresh pressed pineapples, woven with lemon verbena and white blossoms. There's just a hint of toasty saline character underneath. The palate follows a similar through line with lovely texture and a subtle barrel-and-lees influence that's well integrated with the tingly, crunchy acidity. Drink now and over the next few years. - Christina Pickard, WineEnthusiast.com

The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Margaret River, Western Australia
Vintage - 2023
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.5%