Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon

Intro to Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon –

Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon is full of fruit, spice and vanillary oak notes.

Full tasting note and winemaking –

Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon is loaded with dense perfume of cassis, licorice and strawberry sorbet is deepened by ocean scents of dried shells and crayfish bisque. Ironstone rock brings earthy notes which give way to dried rose petal and vanilla butter intrigue.
It is intense, tight, lengthy and exciting with a fresh and succulent entry pulls inward with firm, linear tannins driving the flavours long. Fresh raspberry, wood spice, vanilla and peanut complexities linger.
The Cabernet grapes are grown in Wilyabrup, (the coastal, mid northern part of Margaret River) on ancient, well drained gravel loam soils to produce a wine of great varietal purity and character. These wonderful, often tiny, vineyard sections are individually fermented using indigenous yeasts, with many experiencing maceration periods of up to 40 days. Natural fermentation and extended maceration are coupled with traditional oxidative handling to clearly define the intricate personality of each vineyard site before blending. Only 1% is crushed and 1% of Petit Verdot undergoes maceration carbonique and 3 to 4 weeks maceration. It is aged in French oak of which is 44% is new.
Similar to the previous season, the this vintage experienced cooler than average conditions. Spring and early Summer delivered intermittent cool then moderate weather before a run of below average temperatures in January and February. Late January rain led to a fear of disease, however a beautiful period of ripening followed with ample sunshine and strong daily sea breezes preserving vibrant fruit flavours and acidity. Our white varieties ripened with ideal sugar levels and high malic acid content for the third year running, resulting in a desire to allow some natural
malolactic ferment in our Chardonnays. Meanwhile, the reds ripened slowly and gently through a dry Autumn ensuring fully developed tannins and a slightly riper and fleshier fruit profile.

This wine expresses the distinct regional profile of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and the site characters it takes from the Vasse Felix vineyards, with a focus on Wilyabrup. It was the first red wine produced in Margaret River and has been made every year since 1972. Cabernet is a robust variety ideally suited to Margaret River’s climate and deep, well-drained soils.

The producer –

Pristine isolation, twin oceans and ancient soils make Margaret River a wine paradise – the ideal environment for growing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Vasse Felix was established in 1967 and is Margaret River’s founding wine estate. Founder, Dr Tom Cullity, searched the region relentlessly for his first vineyard site, before selecting eight acres in Wilyabrup, which today remains at the heart of the Vasse Felix Estate. The Holmes à Court family purchased the estate in 1987, and vineyard expansions have been made with an unwavering commitment unnecessary to Cullity’s simple founding aim –“to make the best possible wine.”

Drink with –

A vibrant full flavoured so is a great accompaniment to full flavoured dishes even with some spice.