Stay in touch with the latest news and happenings at Vasse Felix, in Margaret River and on tour around the world.
It's always exciting to enjoy a wine that's been in your cellar for years. You've been patiently waiting to drink this special bottle and you want to be sure it's in the best possible condition when you serve it. Estate Sommelier, Evan Gill, takes us through the process of decanting and its importance for both young and old wines.
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Young, structured and powerful Cabernet Sauvignon, even the most poised, balanced and elegant Margaret River wines, can benefit from decanting in their young age. Through the introduction of oxygen, decanting can help bring to life complex components that have been 'trapped' in the bottle. Allowing oxygen into a young Margaret River Cabernet is like sunlight to a young vine in spring, it helps to open up the beautiful flavour compounds and structural elements of the wine.
Aged wines, 10 years and older, tend to accumulate sediment over time when cellared. Whilst it's an important piece of a good aged Cabernet, it's best to decant these wines before serving to remove the sediment.
Evan's Decanting Tips
1. Stand the bottle upright before decanting so the sediment may fall to the bottom.
2. Pour the wine steadily into your decanter, fast enough to allow a steady stream without causing excessive bubbling of the wine. Stop pouring when the sediment reaches the neck of the bottle.
3. Allow the wine to breathe in the decanter, this can mean anything from a couple of minutes to perhaps one hour. Discretion is advised with older wines (20 years or so) so as to not aerate the wine too much.
4. Taste the wine and watch it come to life!
Author | Loic Avril, Head of Wine, Lucas Group
For me the uniqueness comes from the place that is Margaret River. Not only from a geographical point of view, but also from the region’s emphasis on quality. It’s also the mildness of the climate. Perth is very warm, and you think Western Australia is very warm and dry, but as soon as you're in Margaret River, there's such a picturesque aspect of greenery, and a microclimate that really defines this region. That was what struck me, in terms of Margaret River, and at Vasse Felix.
The factors that make this Cabernet special? First, Vasse Felix are the pioneers, or some of the pioneers of Margaret River, producing early Cabernets and Chardonnays in this part of the world, that define great history. So it’s first, the story. Two, is that the pocket of Margaret River is unique. Three, is the dedication of early pioneers, like Vasse Felix, who encouraged a community of people to grow some of the finest Cabernets and Chardonnays in the world. That for me, is unique.
From my point of view, I really think that by not traveling to this region, you don't understand the Margaret River style. You're only reading Cabernet and Chardonnay. But by visiting the region, you really see why Margaret River or Vasse Felix Cabernets are some of the finest in the world. This is the way I look at it.
I think in terms of vintages, I think '93, '94, '97 would be some of my vintages to look at in the catalogue of all vintages. The vintages in the 90s, for me, are the key vintages that really show that [Margaret River Cabernet] is age worthy. They have such great acidity, and low alcohol, that sometimes we're not expecting from Australia. Also, just the quality, the beauty, and there’s an element of ‘Bordeaux-esque’ that is there. You don't see it in a glass in other Cabernet that I see, from let's say South Australia or even in the old days in Victoria. So yes, '93, '94, '97 will be some of the key vintages I will look for.
Why do I like to introduce Margaret River? First and foremost, a key reason would be as a Cabernet for wine drinkers that love Bordeaux or Napa. And two, because these wines are great for a consumer to buy early, keep in their cellars and age for years. They’re going to always deliver the best aspects of what you can see in Bordeaux, or perhaps what you can see in Burgundy for Chardonnay.
There's a good acidity level in the wines, a great tannin structure, and I think there is a broader diversity of vineyard, aspect, and geology in this region, that really brings Margaret River to be unique, in my opinion.
What is also very important to consider, is that in Margaret River, they are not scared to look at the new days and experimentation, for example with the no-oak movement. Grapes that are grown in Margaret River really show your oak influence and how it shapes a wine, and I think there’s not many regions that are trying to challenge that. And I think Vasse Felix is one of the key wineries, where they’re really looking outside of the box, at how to produce wines with less interventions, showcasing the value of raw or naked grapes, out of the vines.
Author | Yuki Hirose MS, Sommelier, Lucas Group
Whenever I hear the name of Vasse Felix, Virginia pops up in my head because I associate the wines with her – she’s been there forever and is inspiring with her conversation and energy. I still remember at Rockpool, years ago when I first met her, and I didn’t know much, thinking that the wines are great, but how she talks about regions and philosophies sticks in my mind quite clearly. She always brings the same energy, and I always learn something new. Even if I already know it, hearing from Virginia brings it to life.
Margaret River Cabernet is great value. It’s got consistency. Yes, there is vintage variation, but overall, each winery has established styles, however it’s always consistent, which is good for a person dining in a restaurant. In Margaret River I trust the producers, I know what to expect, and the wines deliver. You could say that is predictable, but I think to consistently produce high quality at a moderate price point is something not many regions can do.
Australia is a Shiraz-driven country, and Cabernet Malbec comes second. I am much more excited by Margaret River than other regions. It’s not small, but not big. I quite like the Cabernet. If I have the choice of Shiraz or Cabernet, 9 times out of 10, I’ll jump on Cabernet.
More on 50 Years of Margaret River Cabernet here.
Last Thursday marked the first pick of the original Tom's Blocks. A beautiful sunrise greeted our pickers early morning in our I Block old-vine Cabernet and the quality looks fantastic.
Grown on their original rootstocks on the ancient Ironstone gravel soils of our Home Vineyard, these vines have weathered all the grape-growing years known to Margaret River and remain strong with consistent yields and berries.
These old vines are our trusted indicator of quality for Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon. Their experience of the vintage plays a crucial role in guiding the direction of each release of TOM CULLITY Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec.
Author | Evan Gill, Estate Sommelier Vasse Felix
In May 2017, I was fortunate enough to be involved in the very special 50th anniversary celebrations at Vasse Felix.
I will never forget the events of Saturday 6 May.
With Paul Holmes à Court welcoming guests on the lawn, I positioned myself inside The Vault museum entrance. My task was to open, taste and decant four bottles of the 1979 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon (coincidentally my birth year vintage), perfectly timed with the entrance of the guests from the lawn.
Four bottles from one of Margaret River's most lauded early vintages.
I set about my task with Paul's welcoming address just making 'earfall' thanks to the sea breeze.
Four bottles, four perfect corks, four incredible sips of a wine that had aged so beautifully. Pure elegance but still so 'present' and alive.
I poured the glasses as the welcome wrapped up and could not wipe the smile from my face as I served guests walking into The Vault, the place where it all began.
The experience was elevated further when David Gregg, winemaker from 1972 until 1989 (and owner from 1984 - 1987) walked in the door.
Along with David there was also a veritable who's who of WA wine.
The quality of these bottles and the guests I poured them for made Saturday 6 May 2017 one of my most memorable wine experiences.
Heritage, provenance, quality and celebration all rolled into one moment, and one wine.
More on 50 Years of Margaret River Cabernet here.
A glorious Margaret River day greeted pickers last week in our Gnarawary Vineyard as they hand harvested our precious plots of Icon and Premier grade Gingin clone Chardonnay.
Pristine bunches of Gingin (our heritage Margaret River clone) Chardonnay were picked in the GYD1 and GYE1 plots, the latter of which helps to establish the beautifully precise line and length of our Heytesbury Chardonnay.
Hand harvested, these parcels were then chilled and whole bunches pressed, before being transferred with full solids to premium French oak barriques for wild fermentation. More to come soon.
Author | Freddy Bulmer, Wine Buyer, The Wine Society
For me, wine is first and foremost about people. Whether that’s the people you share a bottle with or the people who helped to produce it. One of the great joys of working in this industry is sitting around a table while a bottle provides the perfect backdrop for chat, laughter and doubtless some form of inspiration for a hare-brained plan…
I have been lucky enough to drink Vasse Felix wines on numerous occasions and every single time has been a treat, whether it’s a memorable back vintage of chardonnay or any opportunity to taste TOM CULLITY, however it’s on the day that I am writing this that I have been lucky enough to share a particularly delicious bottle of the Cabernet Sauvignon in my kitchen at home, with a couple of dear colleagues.
The wine world ebbs and flows. Or it seems to for me anyway. There are periods of great productivity and frantic energy, preceding or following moments of lethargy and vacuums of enthusiasm. A two week period of the latter was bought to an uplifting full-stop today thanks to a pre-released bottle of 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine who’s vibrant energy, plush fruit and luxuriousness catapulted me face-first into a tidal wave of excitement, uplift and much needed inspiration. Conversation with my lunch guests flowed like a river as we drank this bottle; ideas ignited like flames and once again, all was right in the world of wine. Or at least my own little world of wine.
To me this is an example of the power of good wine. That bottle played every bit as much of an important part in a humble lunch as any of the rest of us around the table. Perhaps even more, as it was the catalyst and driving force we needed and the treat that we all felt we deserved.
More on 50 Years of Margaret River Cabernet here.
As is tradition, we christened the beginning of vintage with a bacon and egg roll at the annual vintage breakfast this morning. The perfect opportunity for our vintage crew to settle in, meet the broader Vasse Felix team and share stories of vintages past and present, from wine regions around the world. The action began early last week, with the first hand harvest of our Gibraltar Chardonnay blocks, more on that here.
Thank you to everyone who has signed up for the all-important job of picking and nurturing our 2024 harvest. We look forward to sharing more behind-the-scenes vintage action over the coming weeks.
Vintage 2024 has begun, with the first pick taking place in our Gibraltar G Block Chardonnay in the Home Vineyard. These chardonnay parcels often make it into our Premier Chardonnay due to their elegance, power and wild complexity.
Warm and steady conditions have heralded a slightly early start to harvest this vintage, with quality and yields looking very promising. Explore scenes from this first pick below.
Author | Corinne Mui, Founder Corvino Wine School, Wine Educator & Writer
Vasse Felix was the first Margaret River winery I visited back when I was travelling with my family in my university years. I didn’t know much about wine at the time but as my family love history, we chose to go to Margaret River’s founding wine estate to learn about their wines and unique story.
It was the Vasse Felix cabernet that I tasted on that visit that sparked my interest in Margaret River wines. There is something special and unique about Margaret River cabernets. They are approachable, powerful yet elegant. The sea spray perfume brings in great freshness and energy and the lovely chalky tannins evoke shape and complexity. They are definitely world class cabernets with a strong sense of place, distinctive of the Margaret River region.
This was affirmed at a recent international top cabernet blind tasting event I attended where a few of the Margaret River cabernets really stood out amongst other notable cabernets from the rest of the world. The charisma of Margaret River cabernets is really something!
More on 50 Years of Margaret River Cabernet here.
Author | Caleb Dreaver, Hospitality Manager Vasse Felix
When I moved to Margaret River in 2011 the region's Cabernet Sauvignon was an "acquaintance” rather than a friend. Coming off the back of the big bold red craze in Perth, my palate couldn’t comprehend the subtlety of this beautiful, elegant wine.
My tastes quickly evolved to appreciate the love and care that Vasse Felix puts into every aspect from vine to bottle. Cabernet for me is a wine that can be fresh and exciting and very quickly gone from the glass, or conversely, still sitting there an hour later as I contemplate the many layers it has to offer. It works wonderfully with food, and a decade of dish matching in our Restaurant has cemented in my mind the incredible versatility of this wine.
A special vintage for me is the 2021, marking both Vasse Felix's 50th vintage and 10 years of my personal journey with Vasse Felix Cabernet. It’s also ridiculously delicious.
Author | Cam Jones, Head Chef Vasse Felix
The first time I had the pleasure of opening a bottle of the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon was in celebration; our team had just been awarded WA Good Food Guide's Regional Restaurant of the Year, along with a three star ranking.
I was also celebrating a personal milestone, my partner and I were celebrating our anniversary. In honour of the occasion, we hiked up to the Castle Bay whale lookout, taking with us a picnic of cheese, charcuterie, and a bottle of the 50th vintage Cabernet.
While sitting there enjoying great food and incredible wine with my favourite person, I realised I've never felt more at home than I do here in the southwest.
It was week of many great memories and a couple of nights I will never forget.
More on 50 Years of Margaret River Cabernet here.