After tasting the current vintages, I have to say that they display wonderful elegance and restraint with impressive balance, reflecting the regional characteristics whilst raising the bar from previous vintages. Congratulations Virginia on an amazing job!
Filius Chardonnay 2017 – Elegant with impressive balance. Lovely bright nose with layers of apple and citrus and pineapple to entice you to take a sip. Interesting creamy mouthfeel with exceptional balance that seems more in character with a French white burgundy. Your palate is greeted with citrus and white stone fruits with secondary layers of ginger, spices, vanilla and a nutty note with loads of depth and complexity.
Dare I say I like it more than the 2016 vintage that was listed last year in the ROBB Report as one of 12 wines you must try this year. Ridiculous value! Screams for Crab or Lobster with a rich butter sauce. Wine Spectator- 92 pts.
Margaret River Chardonnay 2016- this is an impressive Chardonnay!
The nose in immediately appealing with layers of rich lemon, apple with grapefruit and spices rounding things out. Don’t rush your first sip, savor the anticipation. I was immediately impressed at how rich and balanced this wine is, it is continually evolving from previous vintages. Like the Filius, it is very French in nature but way more refined and elegant and I like this more than the 2015 vintage. Rich creamy mouthfeel is balanced by wonderful acidity and intensity. Almost seamless layers of apples, white stone fruits, grapefruit with ginger, spices and almonds adding complexity into the mix. This will cellar out to 2027 and beyond. Rating: 95 pt. James Halliday.
Heytesbury Chardonnay 2017
This wine has consistently been one of Australian’s best Chardonnays and has been considered by many to be Grand Cru standard. On a personal note it’s definitely in my top 2 or 3 favorites. It never disappoints. Texture is rarely mentioned when being described except in vague notions of mouthfeel- in this case it’s both comfortable and inviting and adds yet another reason to enjoy this wine.
Class and elegance are presented in all their glory starting with the enticing nose of grapefruit, white stone fruits with subtle floral and spices to round things out. It’s the palate where it gets really interesting. Seamless layers of peach and apple with secondary notes of roasted cashew and spices and wonderful balance and acidity. This is all wrapped in such finesse and focus with surprising creaminess that it’s hard to imagine how this could get better. Impressive to say the least. This will cellar out to 2025 and beyond without a problem. Multiple ratings: 97 pts
Filius Cabernet 2016 – Drink this anytime. First sniff makes you smile and wonder why this isn’t double the price. There is so much going on with this wine. Nose is dominated by bright, dark fruits with herbs, spices and earthy cedar notes rounding it out. Mouthfeel is convincing and showcases what is right about Margaret River wines and Vasse Felix in particular.
Listed as Cabernet, it has a healthy dash of Estate grown Malbec- 14% that gives it a juicy inviting attitude with some savory notes and cooking spices spliced into layers of blackberries and black current with blueberries, dark cherries and cedar framed in fine grained tannins. This will pair well with Lamb or steak strips. If patience is your middle name cellar some and enjoy over the next 10 years. Wine Spectator– 92 pts.
Margaret River Cabernet 2015- Exceptional example of Margaret River Cabernet!
This vintage has all the impressive character without the bulky weight of previous vintages. This is a leaner more focused version revealing ample restraint and elegance and I think, better for it. Nose is enticing issuing a confident invitation to drink and enjoy with dark fruits dominating the nose but it is the interesting nuisances of bay leaf, olives and spices that make this wine so captivating.
The impressive mouthfeel and texture may catch you off guard for a second but the layers of black current, cassis, dark chocolate, fruit cake notes with savory herbs and spices playing a supportive role will confirm that everything your imagining your tasting, you are! Wonderful length in the finish. Cellar out to 2035 and beyond.
Rating: 95 pt Campbell Mattinson, James Halliday, James Suckling & Toni Paterson.
Tom Cullity Cabernet 2014.
There is so much going on with this wine and a thousand superlatives come to mind … Restraint and elegance with superb structure, power and balance is immediately evident- this blend of 80% Cabernet, 16% Malbec and 4% Petite Verdot gives you some insight into just how impressive this wine is but it really is only a frame work and an invitation to delve deeper.
The nose is most definitely enticing and pausing to enjoy the layers of dark fruits, plums and interesting savory/earthy notes only heighten the anticipation of your first sip. The palate displays black currents, dark cherries and a host of dark and red fruits playing a supportive role. Buried deep are bay leaves, olives, earthy cedar and spices that only add to the overall complexity and enjoyment with exceptional length on the finish.
You get the sense that it not trying to impress, it complete and comfortable in its current state although this wine will age beautifully and patience will be rewarded over the next 20 – 30 years. Multiple ratings 97 – 98 pt Campbell Mattinson, Ray Jordan.
Vine to Table 