Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River

Description

Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon is a famous Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon produced by one of the founders of Margaret River wine-making. It is part of their “Premier” wine range and it was the very first red wine produced in Margaret River and has been made every year since 1972.

Vasse Felix was founded in 1967 in Wilyabrup by Cullity. It was the very first winery to be established in the Margaret River wine-growing region of Western Australia. The winery is considered a true pioneer of the region. Dr Cullity had searched widely for his first vineyard site and eventually selected 8 acres in Wilyabrup which remain at the heart of the estate today.

The winery was purchased by the Gregg family in 1984. The Holmes à Court family then purchased the estate in 1987 and set about a period of expansion buying more vineyards but staying true to Cullity’s initial vision “to make the best possible wine.” The current owner and management of the estate is Paul Holmes à Court, the second generation of the family to rum Vasse Felix. Paul took over General Management of the Estate in 2005 and became the sole owner of Vasse Felix and its parent company, The Heytesbury Group in 2008. Virginia Willcock has been the winemaker since 2006 and since then she has twice been nominated for Australian Gourmet Traveller ‘Winemaker of the Year’ and was awarded the trophy for ‘Winemaker of the Most Outstanding Red or White Wine in Show’ at the 2011 Royal Adelaide Wine Show. There is a wide range of wines produced from icon wines like the Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon and the Heytesbury Chardonnay through to the Premier, Filius and Classics tiers.

The grapes for the Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon come from parcels grown in the coastal, northern reaches of Margaret River (with a focus on Wilyabrup) on ancient, well drained gravel loam soils produce wines of great varietal purity and character. The vineyard parcels as individually fermented using indigenous yeasts, with many experiencing maceration periods of up to 40 days. Natural fermentation and extended maceration
have been coupled with traditional oxidative handling to clearly define the intricate personality of each vineyard site before blending. Small portions of Malbec complement and enhance the Cabernet profile while elevated perfumes and alternative fermentation of Petit Verdot brings a bright nuance.

Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a blend of 91 Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.5% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot and 0.5 Cabernet Franc. It is aged in French Oak Barrique 45% new, 55% 1-4 year old, for 17 months prior to bottling.

Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon is suitable for vegetarians.