Outstanding Reviews for Vasse Felix in the 2023 Halliday Wine Companion
We are thrilled with the stellar reviews of the entire Vasse Felix collection in the 2023 Halliday Wine Companion, released today. Particularly excited to see both the 2018 TOM CULLITY and 2020 Heytesbury Chardonnay included in the Top Rated Wines of their varietal categories at 99 and 97 points respectively.
Of the 48 wines included in the Top Rated Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Family categories, more than half (26) were from Margaret River. While in the Chardonnay Top Rated, the total of 34 wines included no less then 19 Margaret River Chardonnays. An incredible testament to the quality of this region's core varieties, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Read on to discover more reviews.
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2018 TOM CULLITY - 99 POINTS. (Top Rated: Cabernet and Family)
This wine is the benchmark of the latent power, grace and inherent balance of the 2018 vintage in Margaret River. Texturally similar to the classically sophisticated 2014 vintage, but with far greater density and weight. Here, the savoury tannins are countersunk into the fruit already: shapely, firm, chewy, malleable – everywhere and nowhere at once. Waves of blood plum, cassis, blackberry, pomegranate, juniper, raspberries, saltbush, bay leaf and salted red licorice crash against the rocks, as kelp, nori, iodine, red gravel and brine ride the smaller sets out the back. Sensational. Astounding. A wine for the ages.
2020 HEYTESBURY CHARDONNAY - 97 POINTS. (Top Rated: Chardonnay)
In warmer vintages like 2020, the Heytesbury chardonnay has extension and flex on release, billowing with flavour and pleasure, with the oak seeming to be enveloped by it early on. So goes the story here: like the 2018 (on release) this is a scintillating show of powerful fruit, juicy mineral acidity and layers of crushed rocks, petrichor, nori, summer fig and salted yellow peaches. A superstar wine – it’s closed now though: patience or a decant is recommended.
2019 CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 94 POINTS.
The ‘19 vintage was cool, largely responsible for a tranche of very precise, perfumed cabernet sauvignons. Aniseed, kelp, bitter chocolate, blackberry and all things midnight. Rich and savoury -the fruit is bolstered by firm graphite tannins. The length of flavour, coupled with Willcock’s proven pedigree in this field, tell us what we want to know about longevity: always back blue-chip. The fruit is encased in tannin right now: if you plan to drink in the short term, you must decant. This will go far.
2020 CHARDONNAY - 96 POINTS.
The ‘20 vintage was made for the Vasse Felix chardonnay style. This is seamless, concentrated, floral, intense, so smart that it elicited a little chuckle upon tasting. Notes of peach and apple skin (of course) backed by jacaranda flowers, curry leaf, brine, crispy nori and pan fried nuts. What a wine. And what a bargain for this pedigree -so classy it’s ridiculous.
2020 FILIUS CHARDONNAY - 94 POINTS.
The immediacy of the complexity of the bouquet and the juicy white peach that floods the palate leave no room for discussion. This is a perfect rendition of a drink-now chardonnay of the highest quality within its station of life (and price).
2020 FILIUS SAUVIGNON BLANC SEMILLON - 94 POINTS.
You can be assured that when Virginia Willcock turns her mind to something, it’s going to be good. Sauvignon blanc here - a component has been fermented on skins, which layers the wine with an extra spicy sumthin sumthin. This is a serious, bordeaux blanc style, and at a very low price to match. So smart!
2020 SYRAH - 95 POINTS.
Iridescent in the glass, and all silky flow on the palate. This vintage was responsible for a tranche of wines that taste, frankly, effortless. This is one of those wines. Gorgeous, with all the push and pull of exotic spice, Chambord, orange zest and crispy nori you could possibly want. Glorious.
2020 SAUVIGNON BLANC - 94 POINTS.
Field mushrooms and sea salt, guava and crushed lychee, nashi pear and Golden Delicious apples. So much going on, and from so many different angles: this is complex, textural, layered and long. This style will not be for everyone, although if you love chardonnay this will firmly be in your ballpark. The Campari/ orange-zest character that comes from skin contact can be addictive -it’s here, if you look closely. I’d like to see this in 5 and 10 years.