50 Years of Margaret River Cabernet

The release of the 2021 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon marks 50 years of Margaret River Cabernet.

Made at Vasse Felix every year since 1972, each vintage of this historic Cabernet, Margaret River’s original, embodies a faithful pursuit of excellence, purity and wine artistry.

This wine is an archetypal expression, possessing all the hallmarks of the finest Margaret River Cabernet; elegance, power and ageability.

A timeless original that has graced our table, and yours for five decades.

Explore the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Bart Molony & Ian MacDonald
Vasse Felix Viticulture Team
Discover their Cabernet stories

Emma Farrelly
Director of Wine & Beverages, State Buildings
Discover her Cabernet story

Max Veenhuyzen
Journalist, Editor & DJ, Gourmet Traveller & More
Discover his Cabernet story

Tom Pearsall
Margaret River Photographer
Discover his Cabernet story

Virginia Willcock
Vasse Felix Chief Winemaker
Discover her Cabernet story

Hamish Guthrie
Founding Principal, Hecker Guthrie
Discover his Cabernet story

Caleb Dreaver & Cam Jones
Vasse Felix Hospitality Team
Discover their Cabernet stories

Corinne Mui
Founder Corvino Wine School, Wine Educator & Writer
Discover her Cabernet story

Freddy Bulmer
Wine Buyer, The Wine Society
Discover his Cabernet story

Evan Gill
Vasse Felix Sommelier
Discover his Cabernet story

Loic Avril & Yuki Hirose MS
Lucas Group
Discover their Cabernet stories

Dave Pynt
Chef/Owner, Burnt Ends 
Discover his Cabernet Story

 

Paul Holmes à Court
CEO & Owner, Vasse Felix
Discover his Cabernet story

 

Share your stories of the Vasse Felix Cabernet.
Tag @vassefelixwines #cabernetsociety

A toast to five decades

The first vintage of Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon was made in 1972. Here's a snapshot of the wines celebrated milestones since that momentous first vintage.

1970's

Cabernet Vintage Milestones

WINEMAKERS
DR TOM CULLITY,
DAVID GREGG

1972

Margaret River’s First Cabernet Made

1973

Gold at Perth Wine Show

1979

2nd Prize at New York Trade Fair (2nd to Stag’s Leap)

“This year, the wine is wine!”

DAVID GREGG
1979

1980's

Cabernet Vintage Milestones

WINEMAKER
DAVID GREGG

“The Cabernet is soft, elegant and flavoursome... a lighter style.”

SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINING MAGAZINE 1985/6

1984

Headlines read “Vasse Felix hits the Big Apple” as the wines are exported to New York

1985

‘Best Red Wine’ World Trade Fair London (1987)

1987

Holmes à Court Family Acquires Vasse Felix

1980's

Cabernet Vintage Milestones

WINEMAKER
DAVID GREGG

1990's

Cabernet Vintage Milestones

WINEMAKER
CLIVE OTTO

1995

‘Outstanding Quality, a Virtually Perfect Example’ Decanter Wine Awards

1996

Wine, Winestate & Winewise Magazines ‘Top 20 Australian Cabernets’

1997/8

Best Cabernet of Show Wine Show of Western Australia

“A great wine must have balance, elegance and restraint and above all have eminent drinkability.”

CLIVE OTTO

2000's

Cabernet Vintage Milestones

WINEMAKERS
CLIVE OTTO,
VIRGINIA WILLCOCK

“Beautifully elegant with great complexity and really nice balance.”

JAMIE GOODE (UK)
ON 2000 CABERNET

2001

Qantas Wine Show WA ‘Best Wine of Show, Best Red & Best Cabernet

2005

Decanter World Wine Awards ‘Best Bordeaux Varietal Wine Over £10’

2007

Sydney Royal Wine Show ‘Best Varietal Wine’ Perth Show ‘Best Cabernet’

2000's

Cabernet Vintage Milestones

WINEMAKERS
CLIVE OTTO,
VIRGINIA WILLCOCK

2010's

Cabernet Vintage Milestones

WINEMAKER
VIRGINIA WILLCOCK

2008

Cabernet is Langton’s Classified & The Age ‘Best Cabernet of 2011’

2016

Texsom Awards USA ‘Judges Selection’

2019

Wine Enthusiast USA ‘Editor’s Choice’

“Cabernet has found such esteemed favor in Margaret River and the wines are continually hitting the benchmarks set by Bordeaux, Tuscany and US wines.”

JAMES SUCKLING (US)