Vasse Felix Wines in 2020 James Halliday Wine Companion
It is no secret that Margaret River is a Wine Paradise, the ideal environment for growing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, yet we were thrilled to see this reflected in the recent 2020 Halliday Wine Companion Best of the Best by Variety awards. ⠀
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Out of the 43 Chardonnays that scored 97 points or above this year, 21 were from Margaret River. And in the Cabernet Sauvignon and Family categories? 23 Margaret River Cabernets out of 55 in total - more then any other region - made the cut.⠀
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An incredible result and testament to the quality of this region's core varieties. Keep reading to see Halliday's reviews of the Vasse Felix Wine Family.
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96 Points
A noble blend of 78% cabernet, 20% malbec and a dollop of petit verdot, conferring ample richness and an authoritive spine; saline, maritime acidity and detailed grape tannins, moreish and ripe, attesting to an extraction regime of courage and confidence. While this full-bodied wine demands patience, one can already detect cassis, lead, cedar, graphite, a herbal potpurri, a swab of black olive and a bay leaf lingering across cedar oak beams.
2017 Heytesbury Chardonnay
98 Points
Consistently at the forefront of Australian Chardonnay, attention to detail as important for the smallest detail as the largest. Texture is as important as flavour, although it can’t always be possible to deconstruct the two.
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
94 Points
86% cabernet, 11% malbec, 3% petit verdot. This is reflective of the stride in the top at this estate: less of everything and with that, more drinkability; more energy; finer bones. Textbook: currant, bouquet garni, graphite, pencil lead and dried cigar. Mid-weighted, highly savoury, classically styled and eminently gulpable. But this will age very well. Your choice.
2017 Chardonnay
95 Points
This takes the Vasse Felix chardonnay trio into serious wine territory. All the aspects are here: barrel fermentation in French oak, neither too much new, nor too little; the picking regime / decisions are integral to the vinification, the aim being to avoid the need to acidify; time in barrel is also an important consideration with an increasing practice to finish maturation in tank.
2017 Filius Chardonnay
93 Points
2016 Filius Cabernet Sauvignon
90 Points
2018 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
94 Points
Special Value Rating
2016 Shiraz
95 Points
2018 Classic Dry White
92 Points
Special Value Rating
2017 Classic Dry Red
91 Points
Special Value Rating