Margaret River Region 2022 Vintage Chardonnay Tasting

Last Friday, vignerons and winemakers from across Margaret River assembled in the Vasse Felix Gallery to explore the world of Margaret River Chardonnay, tasting unblended barrel samples from the 2022 vintage, grown throughout the region. ⁠
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Nearly 50 Margaret River producers generously shared Chardonnay barrel samples for the annual tasting, providing a wealth of invaluable insight into the incredible 2022 vintage. Winemakers journeyed from Cape to Cape, with samples set up from North to South, broken down by locality.⁠
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Glenn Goodall from @xanaduwines, and Eloise Jarvis, who recently returned to @capementelle, led the discussion on the vintage samples, with Glenn remarking on the diversity in expressions within the locations and the importance for producers to continue this exploration, not becoming pigeonholed by particular styles that may be in vogue. Eloise championed sustainability in winemaking, noting the importance of social and economic aspects for the benefit of the region, as well as the environmental impacts, with a focus to keep integrity within the word, to enable the region to keep producing the quality it is renowned for. ⁠

Follow @vassefelixwines for more snaps from this collaborative Regional event.

US Based Wine & Spirits Magazine Names Vasse Felix A Top 100 Winery Of 2022

We are thrilled to have been named in US Wine & Spirits Magazine Top 100 Wineries, internationally, for 2022. Vasse Felix was one of four Australian wineries included, alongside Penfolds, Giant Steps and Yangarra Estate, and the only from Margaret River.

Each year, Wine & Spirits creates this list based on wineries who have the most consistent performance and highest scores throughout the year, vetting thousands of producers in a two-step blind tasting to highlight the top 100 for their collections of outstanding wines.

In celebration of this accolade, Vasse Felix will be participating in the Wine & Spirits Top 100 Events in San Francisco and New York City.

The full list is available HERE.

Truffles Unearthed 2022 | An Evening With WA Good Food Guide

Our Estate hospitality team have been busy hosting Alumni and guests alike at recent Winter events. Kicking things off with Stranger Things as part of Cabin Fever festival, and more recently Truffles Unearthed 2022, a five-course degustation with WA Good Food Guide. 

Guests were treated to the joys of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay paired with premium Manjimup black truffles from Truffle Hill as they journeyed through a five-course paired menu with wines that included the 2020 Heytesbury Chardonnay and 2018 TOM CULLITY Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec.⁠

A highlight of the night was Head Chef Brendan Pratt's Kombu Cheesecake which has made a welcome return, which has recently earnt its own glowing write-up. 

Outstanding Reviews for Vasse Felix in the 2023 Halliday Wine Companion

We are thrilled with the stellar reviews of the entire Vasse Felix collection in the 2023 Halliday Wine Companion, released today. Particularly excited to see both the 2018 TOM CULLITY and 2020 Heytesbury Chardonnay included in the Top Rated Wines of their varietal categories at 99 and 97 points respectively.

Of the 48 wines included in the Top Rated Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Family categories, more than half (26) were from Margaret River. While in the Chardonnay Top Rated, the total of 34 wines included no less then 19 Margaret River Chardonnays. An incredible testament to the quality of this region's core varieties, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Read on to discover more reviews.

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2018 TOM CULLITY - 99 POINTS. (Top Rated: Cabernet and Family)
This wine is the benchmark of the latent power, grace and inherent balance of the 2018 vintage in Margaret River. Texturally similar to the classically sophisticated 2014 vintage, but with far greater density and weight. Here, the savoury tannins are countersunk into the fruit already: shapely, firm, chewy, malleable – everywhere and nowhere at once. Waves of blood plum, cassis, blackberry, pomegranate, juniper, raspberries, saltbush, bay leaf and salted red licorice crash against the rocks, as kelp, nori, iodine, red gravel and brine ride the smaller sets out the back. Sensational. Astounding. A wine for the ages.

 

2020 HEYTESBURY CHARDONNAY - 97 POINTS. (Top Rated: Chardonnay)
In warmer vintages like 2020, the Heytesbury chardonnay has extension and flex on release, billowing with flavour and pleasure, with the oak seeming to be enveloped by it early on. So goes the story here: like the 2018 (on release) this is a scintillating show of powerful fruit, juicy mineral acidity and layers of crushed rocks, petrichor, nori, summer fig and salted yellow peaches. A superstar wine – it’s closed now though: patience or a decant is recommended.

 

2019 CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 94 POINTS.
The ‘19 vintage was cool, largely responsible for a tranche of very precise, perfumed cabernet sauvignons. Aniseed, kelp, bitter chocolate, blackberry and all things midnight. Rich and savoury -the fruit is bolstered by firm graphite tannins. The length of flavour, coupled with Willcock’s proven pedigree in this field, tell us what we want to know about longevity: always back blue-chip. The fruit is encased in tannin right now: if you plan to drink in the short term, you must decant. This will go far.

 

2020 CHARDONNAY - 96 POINTS.
The ‘20 vintage was made for the Vasse Felix chardonnay style. This is seamless, concentrated, floral, intense, so smart that it elicited a little chuckle upon tasting. Notes of peach and apple skin (of course) backed by jacaranda flowers, curry leaf, brine, crispy nori and pan fried nuts. What a wine. And what a bargain for this pedigree -so classy it’s ridiculous.

 

2020 FILIUS CHARDONNAY - 94 POINTS.
The immediacy of the complexity of the bouquet and the juicy white peach that floods the palate leave no room for discussion. This is a perfect rendition of a drink-now chardonnay of the highest quality within its station of life (and price).

 

2020 FILIUS SAUVIGNON BLANC SEMILLON - 94 POINTS.
You can be assured that when Virginia Willcock turns her mind to something, it’s going to be good. Sauvignon blanc here - a component has been fermented on skins, which layers the wine with an extra spicy sumthin sumthin. This is a serious, bordeaux blanc style, and at a very low price to match. So smart!

 

2020 SYRAH - 95 POINTS.
Iridescent in the glass, and all silky flow on the palate. This vintage was responsible for a tranche of wines that taste, frankly, effortless. This is one of those wines. Gorgeous, with all the push and pull of exotic spice, Chambord, orange zest and crispy nori you could possibly want. Glorious.

 

2020 SAUVIGNON BLANC - 94 POINTS.
Field mushrooms and sea salt, guava and crushed lychee, nashi pear and Golden Delicious apples. So much going on, and from so many different angles: this is complex, textural, layered and long. This style will not be for everyone, although if you love chardonnay this will firmly be in your ballpark. The Campari/ orange-zest character that comes from skin contact can be addictive -it’s here, if you look closely. I’d like to see this in 5 and 10 years.

How to Enjoy the Filius Four

 

Discover the Filius Four, a contemporary range of wines with incredible drinkability. Read on for Estate Sommelier, Evan Gill's tips and recommendations on how to enjoy these incredible wines and discover some of Vasse Felix staff's guilty pleasures and favourite pairings.

”These wines do really offer some superlative value for money and some incredible versatility. All of these wines are incredibly contemporary. What do we mean by that? We mean that they are so drinkable, they are modern, but they are made to the exacting standards of all of our other wines here at Vasse Felix, and they really offer you, the drinker, this incredible spectrum of ways to enjoy them.

With food or without food, their food matching prowess is incredible. I mentioned versatility, these two wines have it in spades. They’re crisp, they're fruity, and they're light enough to enjoy on their own.

But with the Filius Sauvignon Blanc Semillon and Shiraz, there's still some energy and some vibrancy and some real fruit purity in these wines as well, so they do match incredibly well with foods. I hope you buy some of these soon and I hope you enjoy them, I'm very confident that you will!”

Estate Sommelier, Evan Gill

FILIUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON

A new-age Margaret River Cabernet (blended with Malbec), expressing all the regional hallmarks. It is a bright, fruit-forward, earlier-drinking style. Juicy, with attractive earthy characters, structure from 12 months in French oak and a velvety, dry finish of fine, elegant tannins. Available here.

Food Pair Inspiration: “Slow cooked roast lamb and crispy duck fat chat potatoes - it’s a definite crowd pleaser when hosting dinner for family and friends.”

Hayley Ward, Cellar Door Manager

FILIUS CHARDONNAY

This elegant wine reflects the vibrancy and purity of Margaret River Chardonnay. Crisp, textured and fruit driven with refreshing acidity and superb balance, French oak complements its wild fermentation to impart subtle funk without overpowering the bright fruit. Available here.

Food Pair Inspiration: “A toasted ham and cheese sandwich with green apple wedges on the side - it’s moreish, with freshness, and reminds me of home.”

Caleb Dreaver, Hospitality Manager

FILIUS SHIRAZ

A graceful, modern style with lively, dark berry fruit, earthiness and a plush, medium-bodied palate. Crafted with our cooler southern Margaret River fruit, it is savoury and bright with refreshing acidity and powdery tannins, enhanced by quality French oak. Available here.

Food Pair Inspiration: “A tomato, garlic, mushroom, pancetta, taleggio pizza on a Friday night - perfect to kick off the weekend.”

Jo D’Rozario, Cellar Club Manager

 

FILIUS SAUVIGNON BLANC SEMILLON

A pure and expressive blend with enticing minerality, delectable fruit and savoury undertones, which benefits from a small portion of full skins fermented Sauvignon Blanc bringing structure. The delicate balance of French oak and yeast lees contribute beautiful texture. Available here.

Food Pair Inspiration: “Delicate slices of fresh salmon sashimi, soy sauce, wasabi and a squeeze of lemon.” 

Tanya Fitzgerald, Restaurant Manager

 

2018 TOM CULLITY Estate Takeover

The celebrations of the new release 2018 TOM CULLITY continued over the long weekend with a very special Estate takeover. Visitors enjoyed the rare opportunity to taste the 2014 and 2016 TOM CULLITY from our cellar, and diners were treated to a special paired tasting menu in honour of our eponymous wine. ⁠

The 2018 TOM CULLITY is available to purchase here.

Vasse Felix Named #30 in Top Wineries of Australia

We are thrilled to be named in The Real Review's 2022 Top Wineries of Australia at #30, out of just under 400 Australian wineries which represent, “the peak two percent of Australia’s 2,156 wineries, they’re truly the crème de la crème.”⁠

Now in its fifth year, the ranking is based on the top scoring wines of each winery tasted by the Real Review team. We are humbled to see that our wines are so highly regarded by this team of respected wine critics.

Critic Huon Hooke said, “Heytesbury Chardonnay 2020, a riot of grapefruity local character, led the Vasse Felix troupe this year, hitting a lofty 98 points; Tom Cullity Cabernet Malbec 2018, a highly polished regional style, was just a point behind. The regular bottlings of 2018 Cabernet, 2020 Chardonnay and 2019 Shiraz also contributed solid scores.”⁠
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Vasse Felix was listed among good company, with six of our Margaret River neighbours included - a testament to the quality of wines the region is capable of producing.

Explore the full list here.

 

 
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XO Sauce For Cabernet

This is the latest take on the traditional XO sauce that we have put our little spin on. A recipe that originated in Hong Kong in the 1980s, it is a great all rounder, something that can jazz up beef, all seafoods or even turn that cheese toastie up a notch!

The combination of the jamon, the dried seafood and the fish sauce make this sauce very savoury and sweet at the same time, which helps lend it to our Cabernet Sauvignon. All of the ingredients in this dish are strong and full of flavours on their own, however it’s all about the balance, much like our Cabernet. By combining them in this way you get a beautifully balanced sauce, rich in umami and a great addition to any meat, seafood, pasta, rice or noodle dish.

INGREDIENTS

250g of dried scallop, soaked in cold water overnight
250g dried shrimp, soaked in cold water overnight
400g jamon, finely diced
150g onion, finely diced
150g garlic, finely diced
180g fish sauce
1tsp chilli flakes
1tsp white pepper, ground
250g caster sugar
500g grapeseed oil
 

METHOD

1. In a heavy based saucepan, sweat the jamon on a low heat until it starts to get crispy and the fat starts to render out.
2. Remove the jamon from the pan leaving the fat in the pan and add the onion. Sweat until translucent.
3. Add the garlic and cook for a few minutes but don’t let it get brown.
4. Add the fish sauce, chilli flakes and white pepper, sugar, and oil and turn to a very low simmer.
5. Using a food processor pulse the jamon until its in very small bits and add back to the pot.
6. Strain off the scallops and shrimps and pulse these in the food processor until small and stringy, and add to the pot.
7. Simmer for 30-45 minutes, remove from heat and cool.

Pictured above: Fish Sausage, XO, Ravigote Paired with Cabernet Sauvignon. Discover a mind-bending menu at Stranger Things this July for Cabin Fever - www.cabinfever.com.au
 

Tom Cullity 2013 - 2018 Vertical From Andrew Caillard MW and The Vintage Journal

We are thrilled to be able to share some of the first reviews for the 2018 TOM CULLITY, among which is a vertical tasting from Andrew Caillard MW and his new venture, The Vintage Journal. 
 

"Every vintage reflects the growing season. It is barely necessary to read the viticultural notes to understand the challenges. A vertical tasting of 2013 to 2018 reveals an evolution of style and a completely unforced winemaking approach. The elegantly structured 2013 is surprisingly youthful and classic. 2014 is lovely to drink with excellent vinosity and drive (but it looks atypical in this company). 2015 shows more vineyard provenance and less winemaking. This success was followed by the outstanding 2016 vintage which shows wonderful tannin structure and longevity. 2017 reveals a cooler growing season, but all the elements are in balance. In some forums it would jag a gold because it is so authentic. But 2018, like the 2016, shows the Tom Cullity style at its best. It has a spatial quality that captures the atmospheric forces of nature and bloody good viticulture and winemaking." 

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2018 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River Western Australia - 98 points
"... An impressive landmark vintage."

2017 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River Western Australia - 94 points 
"... A well-balanced cabernet with excellent fruit definition and complexity. "

2016 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River Western Australia - 98 points
"...Finishes chocolaty firm with plentiful sweet dark fruits and persistent fine tannin plume. Superb density, richness of flavour and length."

2015 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River Western Australia - 97 points
"...A very attractive claret-style with the volume, density, and structure for long term cellaring." 

2014 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River Western Australia - 96 points
"...Generous and sweet fruited with plentiful blackcurrant, blackberry fruits, fine slinky/ grainy tannins"

2013 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River Western Australia - 96 points
"... A classical cabernet with lovely definition, balance and mineral length.

To access full reviews subscribe to The Vintage Journal 

 

 

Excitement Continues for the 2018 TOM CULLITY

 

Excitement continues to build for the 2018 TOM CULLITY as the first critic reviews are released. 

Scored at 99 points and named, "a wine for the ages" by Halliday Wine Companion (Erin Larkin), the wine was also featured in The West Australian, with Ray Jordan awarding the same score. Both reviews, along with others can be found in full below.

More information about a very special TOM CULLITY takeover at the Estate will be released shortly, so stay tuned. In the meantime, explore the story of TOM CULLITY available for purchase here.

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99 Points

Halliday Wine Companion - Erin Larkin

This wine is the benchmark of the latent power, grace and inherent balance of the 2018 vintage in Margaret River. Texturally similar to the classically sophisticated 2014 vintage, but with far greater density and weight. Here, the savoury tannins are countersunk into the fruit already: shapely, firm, chewy, malleable – everywhere and nowhere at once. Waves of blood plum, cassis, blackberry, pomegranate, juniper, raspberries, saltbush, bay leaf and salted red licorice crash against the rocks, as kelp, nori, iodine, red gravel and brine ride the smaller sets out the back. Sensational. Astounding. A wine for the ages.

99 Points

The West Australian - Ray Jordan 

Highly perfumed aromas strike immediately. There is that combination of fruit sweetness and fine chalky minerally tannins. Loads of blackcurrant and juicy plum with a dollop of chocolate and mocha cut with floral and dried herb notes. Bright and energetic at every turn with subtlety and elegance. Delivers with a degree of understatement and restraint yet gathers pace and momentum as it drives through to the finish. The tannins are more in the powdery space with that slightly aspirin-like oak influence bringing it all together seamlessly and harmoniously. This is classic cabernet in its varietal makeup with a firm spine and length. The malbec has brought a vibrant red fruit juiciness into the equation. The finest wine yet from Vasse Felix. It’s 2016 without the tannin and 2014 without the opulence.

98 Points

The Vintage Journal, Andrew Caillard

"Medium deep crimson. Fragrant cassis, dark plum, chinotto aromas with herb garden, aniseed notes. Voluminous blackcurrant, dark plum, blackberry fruits, lovely persistent fine chocolaty textures, superb mid-palate density, fresh juicy acidity and plentiful mocha, espresso oak notes. Finishes chocolaty with plentiful sweet dark fruits and attractive mineral length. Lovely concentration, definition and torque. Should last some distance and keep for a while to let the elements further integrate. An impressive landmark vintage."

98 Points

James Suckling - Top 100 Wines of Australia 2021, Nick Stock

"A great edition of the top Cabernet blend from Vasse Felix, this has a lot of power and depth. The aromas run from red to blue and dark berries with a leafy edge and attractive, fresh florals. The palate has a core of blue-toned fruit flavor that drives so deep, with a helix-like interplay of acidity and tannin. Impressive. Drink over the next decade or more." 

97 Points 

The Real Review, Gabrielle Poy

"Not a powerhouse on the nose, but rather an intriguing mix of beautifully curated black and red berries, florals and meats with an earthy element of graphite. It smells harmonious yet complex. The palate is luxuriously rich and svelte, once again a myriad of complexing flavours combine and are carried along with fine rolling tannins. It’s incredibly well balanced and there’s a purity to the fruit that is captivating. But perhaps best of all, there has been restraint in the winemaker’s work letting the fruit take centre stage. This is a mind-blowing cabernet that captures the elegance and complexity this grape can produce at its greatest height."
 

97 Points 

Wine Pilot, Angus Hughson

Is this the year where Tom Cullity really hits the jackpot? Absolutely, with this vintage sure to be a Margaret River classic that will age beautifully for decades to come. Deep ruby in colour, it exudes muscular and generous fruit aromas which show great power and focus – ink, blackberry and blueberry ripple with a rich vein of French oak sitting just behind. That muscularity continues on the palate while retaining fruit delicacy in a mouth filling package underpinned by a rich core of dark and slightly savoury flavours. Superb tannin management provides structure that is a perfect match before finishing with an exceptionally long and sustained finish. Super impressive and will age a mile.

 

96 Points 

The Real Review, Gary Walsh

Red currant, cassis and plum with an excellent flow of fruit, medium-bodied, very linear it’s a great long line of leafy cabernet flavours with grainy tannins to close with fruit sweetness and a hint of earthiness. This is a great Australian Cabernet with a focus on varietal and regional purity.