Vintage 2021 Photo Essay | Preparing young vines for harvest

Checking on the progress of our young Tom's Block Chardonnay vines at the Home Vineyard.

These young blocks have been receiving a little extra attention in the lead-up to harvest in the form of weeding, water monitoring and fertigation - delivering a combination of organic fertilisers to the vine root system through our irrigation lines.

We look forward to seeing the fruits of our labour this coming vintage. 

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Vintage 2021 Photo Essay | Fruit Analysis, Chardonnay

Determining the perfect date for Chardonnay harvest involves a little intuition and a little science, which comes in the form of an interesting viticulture contraption - a refractometer - shown below.

The refractometer helps to measure the Baumé - sugar and ripeness - of our fruit, by analysing the density of the Chardonnay juice.

These tests in our Valley Block Chardonnay are showing veraison is perfectly on track, with our Chardonnay harvest expected to kick off in the coming week.

 

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Vintage 2021 Photo Essay | New French Oak Arrives

Our fresh new French oak barriques have arrived in the Winery and none too soon, with Chardonnay harvest expected to kick off next week.

Sourced from 150-180 year old trees in France and aged for approx. 34 - 46 months with exposure to the elements, the subtlety of this French oak perfume is a perfect match to the elegance and finesse of our Margaret River fruit. 

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Filius Cabernet Sauvignon makes a splash in the US

The 2017 Filius Cabernet Sauvignon has been making quite a stir with US wine critics, featuring at #46 in the Wine Spectator Top 100 late last year and most recently in the Wall Street Journal's article on 'Where to find the Best Cabernets for $25 [USD] and Under'.

The 2018 vintage, widely accepted to be one of Margaret River's best Cabernet vintages in recent years, is now available. Explore the 2018 Filius Cabernet Sauvignon here.

Peruse the reviews below or follow the links to see the full selections.
*Please note the Wall Street Journal article is subscriber access only.

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Wine Spectator Top 100 2020

#46 | 2017 Filius Cabernet Sauvignon

"Firm, showing off the region's signature fresh herbal notes, which give this aromatic lift and linger on the finish. Bay leaf, rosemary and cedar details are effortlessly infused into the cassis and plum flavors. A hint of black tea adds to the complexity, as does the seamlessness of the velvety tannins. Drink now through 2035."

92 points
 

Wall Street Journal

Where to Find the Best Cabernets for $25 and Under | 2017 Filius Cabernet Sauvignon

"Filius is the entry-level Cabernet from Vasse Felix, the founding wine estate in Margaret River, Australia. The wine is well structured with firm tannins and great purity of fruit, unmasked by excessive oak."

Vintage 2021 Photo Essay | Netting the Vines

Late January we began placing nets on the vines in our four Margaret River Vineyards to protect our pristine fruit from the curious local bird population. 

Explore the collection of photos below which show our team setting nets in the Gibraltar Blocks of our Home Vineyard late last week.

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Vasse Felix featured in Critic's Top Wines of 2020

We were thrilled to finish the year with a number of Vasse Felix wines featuring in key wine critic's Top Wines of 2020.

Notably, the 2016 TOM CULLITY was featured in Tyson Stelzer's Top 12 Australian Wines of 2020 and in James Suckling's 2020 Top 100 Wines of Australia alongside the 2018 Heytesbury Chardonnay. The Heytesbury was also selected by Sarah Ahmed as one of her '24 Vinous Highlghts of the Year', published on her UK blog The Wine Detective. And from our contemporary, versatile Filius collection, the Filius Cabernet Sauvignon featured at #46 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines! An excellent way to round out the year.

For us, these awards reflect our commitment to expressing and exploring the very best of Margaret River, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Peruse the reviews below or follow the links to see the full selections.

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Tyson Stelzer's Top 12 Australian Wines of 2020

#4 | 2016 TOM CULLITY

"The fragrance of cabernet and the savoury detail of malbec unite to distinguished effect in this long-ripening season, giving birth to one of the greatest blends in the lauded history this legendary estate. Intricately scaffolded, with ethereal fruit, enduring, powder-fine tannins and sensitive oak interlocking seamlessly, this is a masterfully crafted creation. It is impeccably polished from the outset, yet possessing staggering longevity. Kudos, Virginia Willcock."

98 points 

 

James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of Australia 2020

#44 | 2018 Heytesbury Chardonnay

"Deeply complex and so richly fruited, this is all wrapped in very tautly in a flavor-soaked and seamless chardonnay. Aromas of wet stones, yellow grapefruit, flint, green lemons, fresh oak and white peaches are all tightly arrayed. The palate has mouthwatering punch and crispness. Very assertive and driving with a sleek overall feel, but packed with powerful, pristine white-peach, lemon, apricot and green-mango flavors. So long. This is a modern benchmark. "

97 points
 

#66 | 2016 TOM CULLITY Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec

"This has a very complex, integrated array of red-plum, redcurrant and mulberry aromas with cedary nuances, as well as forest wood, fresh earth, graphite, pepper, leaves, shitake mushrooms and more. The palate is finely layered with grainy, powerful tannin and gives an overall impression of focused power with deeply rich dark berries, plums, berries and mulberries. Seamlessly composed.. This has a long life ahead."

96 points

 

The Wine Detective Sarah Ahmed's 2020 in 24 vinous highlights

2018 Heytesbury Chardonnay

"Finely drawn, long and beautifully composed, with insinuating mineral acidity and a savouriness which is not in the least overblown. It reveals waxy, nutty pink fir potato and nougat nuances to its jangly grapefruit, with lightly spun subtle lees influence and crystalline, mica minerality to the finish. Seamless, very classy."

 

Wine Spectator Top 100 2020

#46 | 2017 Filius Cabernet Sauvignon

"Firm, showing off the region's signature fresh herbal notes, which give this aromatic lift and linger on the finish. Bay leaf, rosemary and cedar details are effortlessly infused into the cassis and plum flavors. A hint of black tea adds to the complexity, as does the seamlessness of the velvety tannins. Drink now through 2035."

92 points

Artist in Residence at Vasse Felix

We have recently been joined by Ross Potter in the Art Gallery, as part of an artist in residence program in association with 'Tracing the Swan,' the latest exhibition from the Janet Holmes à Court Collection.

Ross Potter is a Kamilaroi man, who was born and raised in Brisbane. Since making a move to Western Australia in 2007, Potter has become part of the Perth art scene working full time as a visual artist. He has been described as a “highly skilled draftsman” and with the use of graphite on paper, he dedicates his time to capturing the details in things that we connect with on a daily basis.

Ross will be working from the Vasse Felix Art Gallery from 29 November - 20 December. We welcome you to stop by for a chat or to peruse his stunning pieces.

The current exhibition - Tracing the Swan - will run until Sunday 7 February. More info here.

    

Images courtesy and copyright of the artist;
1. Ross Potter, The Witness, 2020
2. Ross Potter, Envy the Raven
3. Ross Potter, Studio Shot FAC 
4. Ross Potter, Black White and Blue

Vasse Felix brings you Summer in Margaret River, Wine Paradise

The inside scoop from your favourite Margaret River locals, the Vasse Felix Cellar Door team.

MORNING | Grab a fresh juice or smoothie from the Yallingup General Store (Andy’s) at the top of Yallingup Beach Road (open 6am daily). Their smashed avo or a piping hot ham and cheese croissant are excellent if you’re on the go. And if not, we recommend driving around the corner and parking up to watch the surf.

SWIM | Castle Rock Beach is the perfect spot for a relaxing dip. It tends not to be as crowded as some of the more popular locations nearby, but we still recommend getting down there early for a carpark.

SNORKEL | Surfers Point at Prevelly is often overlooked due to the waves, but the underwater canyons there are deeper than most realise and house all sorts of interesting sea life. This one is best before the onshore breeze blows in. 
The Aquarium (Yallingup) is of course, a must, and suitable for most ages and abilities.

    

BREW | A new discovery by the team, the Rocky Ridge Brewing Co. in Busselton, comes highly recommended. Located in a refurbished 1930s home on Marine Terrace, the tap room has up to 25 beers at any one time and hosts food trucks Friday through Sunday from midday.

KIDS | Tour with Koomal Dreaming and take a customised cultural journey through the country of the Wadandi people.
See over 30 different species of reptile and amphibian at Discover Deadly, the largest display of its kind in the south west.
The high ropes and zipline course at Next Level Monkey Business is a fun challenge for all ages.

  

BIKE | The Carter Road trails (creek trails) is a good spot for some mountain biking closer to the Margaret River town. The trails in Meelup Regional Park are great fun if you’re looking for something closer to Dunsborough (parking can be found adjacent to Endicott Loop). 

HIKE | The Eagle Bay to Bunker Bay via Rocky Point trail is a reasonably flat walk which mostly follows the coast. Stop in at the Bunkers Beach House café to refuel before turning back for home.
There are a number of walking trails from the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse around the stunning bays and beaches of the Cape. A favourite is the trail to Sugarloaf Rock. If lucky, you may be treated to some whale watching during the migratory period September - December.

  

EXPERIENCE | Experience the wonders of the Margaret River cape with local track specialists, Cape to Cape Explorer Tours on the Cape to Vine Tour. After working up an appetite exploring the wonders of the track, indulge the senses at Vasse Felix. A private tour takes you behind the scenes on winemaking, before a tasting of the wine collection. Then enjoy a five course tasting menu paired with wines at the Vasse Felix Restaurant. The experience completes with a walking journey through the original vineyards of Margaret River, learning about the unique geology and climate of the region that defines the wines of Vasse Felix.

Alternatively, Walk into Luxury’s signature four day Cape to Cape Walk combines four days guided walking on the best sections of the Cape to Cape Track with luxury accommodation and a celebratory four course lunch with matching wines at Vasse Felix on your last day. Guests will enjoy a tasting of the Vasse Felix wine collection, as well as some time to peruse the onsite Art Gallery after lunch. Return transfers from Perth are included.

SUNSET | Take a rug and a bottle of Classic Dry Rosé to the Canal Rocks for an epic sunset. Hot tip - pick up a pizza from Caves House Hotel on the way. We also highly recommend mosquito spray for when the sun goes down.
For the more adventurous, hike out to the Wilyabrup Sea Cliffs to catch the sunset, the shifting hues against the orange cliffs are spectacular.

  

Vasse Felix Chardonnay Awarded Best Wine, Ray Jordan's 2020 Top 100 Whites

We are thrilled to share that the 2018 Vasse Felix Chardonnay has again been awarded Best Wine in Ray Jordan's Top 100 Whites. 

At 96 points "..the Vasse Felix [Chardonnay], from an outstanding vintage, shows the regional power of Margaret River chardonnay. It sells for under $40."

The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, 2019 Classic Dry White and 2020 Classic Dry Rosé were also selected in the Top 100, from a tasting of over 550 wines. Full reviews can be found below.

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2018 Vasse Felix Chardonnay
96pts. Best Wine
"Another stunning chardonnay from Virginia Willcock. This is high-class stuff. Oatmeal and lemon curd on the nose, with traces of citrus. The palate is sublime. There is texture yet it is held close and controlled through to a very long finish. This was initially tasted late in 2019 and after six months, the deep complex flavours started to be released. Bewdiful."

2018 Vasse Felix Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
95pts.
"This is such a cracking-good wine. Absolutely nails the style with power, structure, balance, and poise. Sure, it's an SBS blend, but it's got so much going for it that says this is something special."

2019 Classic Dry White
90pts.
"Sometimes the extra year improves this classic blend. In this case, it has taken it into another zone. Still has the tropical fruit and edgy gooseberry lemon zest but the dial has been turned down and it's less overt. It makes for terrific drinking right now."

2020 Classic Dry Rosé
91pts.
"Beautifully fragrant and delightful drinking rosé made from 100 per cent shiraz matured in stainless steel. It's so bright with red fruits on the nose and a subtle spicy character. Perfect drinking anytime but especially when the weather's a little warmer."

More info on the Top 100 Whites here.

Festive Wine Pairings

A discussion on delicious food and wine pairings to enjoy this festive season, featuring Head Chef Brendan Pratt & Estate Sommelier Evan Gill. Follow the video links below to view their favourite pairings or check out Chef Brendan Pratt's Kingfish, Fenugreek & Maesil Dressing recipe to add a little Summer freshness to your festive menu.