‘Son of’ the Vasse Felix Chardonnay. This is a modern, pure and vibrant style, with elegant fruit, wild complexities and mouth-watering natural acidity, crafted from fruit sourced from each of the Vasse Felix vineyards.
2020 was a warm vintage with low yields resulting in good quality. Spring development was early followed by a warm start to summer and continuing into fine sunny, dry conditions throughout the summer months. This, combined with lower yields, brought an early start to harvest. Happily, we experienced minimal bird pressure due to the timely arrival of Marri Blossom and there was no disease pressure. Following the completion of white harvest, a rainfall event in late February provided a timely drink for the reds. Bird pressure increased resulting in the netting of our red varietals. The faster ripening period combined with lower yields led to incredible concentration in our red varietals, with substantial tannins and rich fruit flavour.
92 points
This entry-level wine opens with a lift of tangy citrus and stone fruit, with just a hint of oak and native yeast complexities. The palate is light to medium in weight with a gentle textural creaminess, bright fruit and a salty crunchto the acidity. It’s a classy yet approachable wine that demonstrates how much Aussie Chard has grown up.
93 points
Ripe peach fruit the defining feature on the nose, with gentle oak and lees notes adding depth. The palate is savoury and quite complex, with subtle barrel ferment and lees characters and fine acidity complementing the fresh fruit notes. Excellent mouthfeel and texture to close.
93 points
A ripper little chardonnay from Chief Winemaker Virginia Willcock thanks to the warm and dry vintage which offers outstanding value. The winemaking is perfectly pitched to offer attractive upfront fruit and complexity in an earlier drinking style. Bright medium straw in colour it opens with tangy nectarine and white peach fruits typical of Margaret River that is lifted by spicy, nougat oak complexity with the slightest hint of smoky gunflint. There is then good generosity of fruit and subtle oak on the palate with a slightly creamy texture but also chalky acidity. Precision and fruit focus to finish again mark this as very classy for the price. Enjoy it over the next five years.
90 points
Felix Filius would be a grand sort of stage name. It’s a juicy one. I’m thinking pineapple and pear, with a little custard powder and cedar. A glossy and glycerol feel, a bit cheesy with some rockmelon flavours and slight green sappy character, balanced but modest acidity, a light powdery texture, and a ripe finish of solid length.