A new-age Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon (blended with Malbec), expressing all the regional hallmarks. It is a bright, fruit-forward, earlier-drinking style with attractive savoury nuances from Vasse Felix’s quality-led, minimal intervention winemaking approach.
A year of peculiar weather where our commitment to organic viticulture was vital to the successful growth of quality, balanced fruit. A cool and wet spring prompted the need for an intense leaf plucking program to mitigate disease risk. December and January luckily were very warm and dry, then canopy management was a priority throughout February and March to combat unusually warm and moist conditions. A rainfall event in early February provided a timely drink for the red varietals, followed by warm weather which was ideal for the Chardonnay to achieve ripeness. A second rainfall incident in early March was followed by sunny and breezy conditions to dry off the fruit for healthy ripening. With our judicious canopy management and a crop of naturally resilient grapes, we are pleased to say that fantastic quality fruit was ripened and harvested.
93 Points
This is such a good cabernet, especially when you consider the price of $30. It seems the Filius rows in sophistication and varietal expression each year. This was a cool year of course, but the fully ripe fruit delivers and then some. Has a little bit of malbec which is an important consideration for the wine, adding just that little fruit brightness and mid palate plumpness without compromising the controlled linear structure. A little graphite and oyster shell minerality completes a terrific value wine. V21
93 Points
Stunning and complex, this stylish, concentrated red offers pure raspberry puree and black cherry flavors that show details of earthy dried porcini mushroom, along with notes of toasted herbs, sandalwoodand espresso bean. The long finish reveals firming tannins, but they remain polished and effortless. V21
89 Points
A tight, leaner style off this vintage. It feels a little jangly with the acidity showing a brashness of youth and more time needed for it to behave. Cedary oak popping through the more savoury tones and tannins firm on the finish. Come back to this in a year or two. If you can, buy up the 2020 cabernet. It is a stunner.