'Best Wine' 96 points - Ray Jordan's Top 100 Whites

Ray Jordan, West Australian

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.

95 points

Tyson Stelzer - WBM

The rise and rise of Vasse Felix is filtering down even more emphatically through its tiers, and this is as benchmark as any estate Chardonnay. Tension, fruit, oak and struck-flint reductive complexity all play their part as confidently as expected, yet with greater seamlessness, integration, line and length than ever. For all it represents, this is a phenomenon and a bargain.

Finalist - Best of Premium White

Vintage Cellars

A perfume of white peach and white flowers mingles with complex of lemon zest and ocean rocks. The succulent structure has a mouthfeel of peach, lemon pith and cashews.

94 points

James Suckling

This has a very elegant and taut, refined feel. Aromas of grilled hazelnuts, peaches, apricot kernel, lemons and wet stones lead to a smooth, refined palate texture, delivering a citrus-fruit focus with a deep build of fleshy peach flavor and textural weight through the finish. Quality in every sense. Drink now. Screw cap.

94 Points

Wine Enthusiast (Editors' Choice)

This is classic Margaret River and is an excellent intro into both the region’s and this renowned producer’s Chardonnay style. The nose is fruity but delicate, combining melon and peach notes with cashew, wet stone and a briny, seashell nuance. On the beautifully balanced palate, tingly acidity bounces across the tongue, feeling playful beside the creamy texture. The oak is present but plays a supporting role, and there’s a long, saline finish. Drinking blissfully well now but could age until 2028.

92 points

Jo Czerwinski, Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Vasse Felix's 2018 Chardonnay is emblematic of the vintage, showcasing luscious fruit and generosity. Subtle notes of toasted grain accent apple, pear and melon flavors, and while this medium to full-bodied wine is plump, round and silky-textured, it also ends with a lively, refreshing dose of citrus. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.

92 Points

Wine Spectator

Elegant and powerful, starting off succulent, with fleshy peach, pear and apricot flavours. Details of spice, hazelnut and cinnamon linger effortlessly on the finish.

Silver Medal

2020 Decanter World Wine Awards

Rich and plush, with tropical fruit and nutty oak aromatics, yellow apple, melon and spiced nutmeg on the palate

94 Points

Wine Enthusiast

This is classic Margaret River and is an excellent intro into both the region’s and this renowned producer’s Chardonnay style. The nose is fruity but delicate, combining melon and peach notes with cashew, wet stone and a briny, seashell nuance. On the beautifully balanced palate, tingly acidity bounces across the tongue, feeling playful beside the creamy texture. The oak is present but plays a supporting role, and there’s a long, saline finish. Drinking blissfully well now but could age until 2028. Negociants USA–Winebow. —Christina Pickard

17/20

Jancis Robinson

Pale greenish straw. Lightly leesy nose. Excellent acidity plus crystalline fruit and a lightly chalky finish. This really could be a Puligny although I'm sure winemaker Virginia Willcock would not thank me for that comparison and is keen to express her own much more maritime terroir. There is absolutely no hurry to drink this. Very fine and I'm sure will only improve in bottle. 13%