The quintessential Margaret River Chardonnay, made from a selection of Vasse Felix’s premier plots of powerful Chardonnay. Made in the modern Margaret River style of elegance, power and restraint, with the wild complexity which distinguishes Vasse Felix Chardonnay.
A cool, winter-like spring saw vine growth delayed in development. Rainfall in October was significant. A dry and warm summer, with sustained warmth day and night through December, January and February, possibly influenced by another La Niña season, saw a rapid ripening period for all white varieties, with all vineyards harvested in little over a month. Fruit quality was excellent with surprising delicacy and elegance. A low yielding vintage, primarily due to spring conditions over the past two years. Warm and rapid veraison for whites in January was ideal and saw the Chardonnay’s desirable ripe flavours pronounce themselves quickly. Vine health remained fantastic, with fruit quality high and flavours concentrated.
Best Chardonnay
Australian chardonnay has, until now, often been associated with the heavily oaked styles that have put some off this grape altogether. However, this vintage is pure elegance. It’s had nine months in French oak, which gives it a more subtle smoke, along with buttery brioche, clean lemon zest and some tropical fruit. We’ll be investing in a case for party season.
92 points
Aromas of nougat, stone fruit, citrus, spice and nutty oak. Full-flavoured, complex and mouth-filling. A powerful wine with lashings of white stone fruit, grapefruit and creamy oak. There’s lovely weight and texture and the acidity has some zip to it.
Margaret River Star
This is one of three chardonnays produced by Vasse Felix, one of the heavy hitters of the Margaret River wine scene. Straw coloured with green tinges, it has a floral nose, jasmine, violets and vanilla bean. The flavours are interwoven and layered - flinty lemon, grapefruit and white peach, with a pinch of ginger.