Vasse Felix
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Margaret River, South West Australia, Western Australia, Australia
This is the last of an original dozen - proved to be an excellent buy for only $32 per bottle. See previous note 49 weeks ago. Stalky whole bunch notes together with nice black berry, cassis and mint. Typical Margaret River herbaceous notes but this also has an SA Cassis bent. Not full bodied but definitely full flavoured with M+ intensity you get from quality Marg River Cabernet. So enjoyable to drink this with a Barbecued grass fed Rib Fillet - medium rare.
This is the last of an original dozen - proved to be an excellent buy for only $32 per bottle. See previous note 49 weeks ago. Stalky whole bunch notes together with nice black berry, cassis and mint. Typical Margaret River herbaceous notes but this also has an SA Cassis bent. Not full bodied but definitely full flavoured with M+ intensity you get from quality Marg River Cabernet. So enjoyable to drink this with a Barbecued grass fed Rib Fillet - medium rare.
Jul 26th, 2023See many previous notes on Delectable, as recently as 22 weeks ago. Getting to the end of a dozen originally bought. I might have one left. This is the 2nd best Cabernet blend from VF. Originally the premium Cuvée was Heytesbury, now called Tom Cullity. This is probably the best rated “2nd Cuvée” in Margaret River. M+ intensity, touch of menthol, all the classic Cabernet descriptors including capsicum (bell pepper). Very enjoyable from a good vintage.
See many previous notes on Delectable, as recently as 22 weeks ago. Getting to the end of a dozen originally bought. I might have one left. This is the 2nd best Cabernet blend from VF. Originally the premium Cuvée was Heytesbury, now called Tom Cullity. This is probably the best rated “2nd Cuvée” in Margaret River. M+ intensity, touch of menthol, all the classic Cabernet descriptors including capsicum (bell pepper). Very enjoyable from a good vintage.
Aug 17th, 2022See previous Delectable notes. Margaret River herbaceousness (pyrazines) bell pepper, with blackberry and aromas of hot road after a rain shower. Medium weight but still with a good Cabernet tannic backbone. Cruising at 13 years of age with time still to go. The 2nd best Vasse Felix Cabernet and thoroughly enjoyable.
See previous Delectable notes. Margaret River herbaceousness (pyrazines) bell pepper, with blackberry and aromas of hot road after a rain shower. Medium weight but still with a good Cabernet tannic backbone. Cruising at 13 years of age with time still to go. The 2nd best Vasse Felix Cabernet and thoroughly enjoyable.
Mar 14th, 2022Brought this to Bellwether to match with the 2009 Bellwether Cabernet Sauvignon. A pretty even match - both top quality. Shared with Penfolds Viticulture senior executive Ben Harris and Sue Bell both excellent palates. This is more herbaceous and hay silage than the Coonawarra.
Brought this to Bellwether to match with the 2009 Bellwether Cabernet Sauvignon. A pretty even match - both top quality. Shared with Penfolds Viticulture senior executive Ben Harris and Sue Bell both excellent palates. This is more herbaceous and hay silage than the Coonawarra.
Mar 26th, 2021Similar notes to 29 weeks ago. A classical Margaret River nose - herbs, geranium, bay leaf and cassis. A medium weight palate without the weight of the top Cuvée the Heytesbury.
Similar notes to 29 weeks ago. A classical Margaret River nose - herbs, geranium, bay leaf and cassis. A medium weight palate without the weight of the top Cuvée the Heytesbury.
Oct 11th, 2020
Looking absolutely stunning at 8 years.
Medium bodied, balanced and youthful.
Looking absolutely stunning at 8 years.
Medium bodied, balanced and youthful.
Mid Ruby in colour. Aromas of Cassis, Bay Leaf, Capsicum and Herbs - very much in the Margaret River mould. Medium weight on the palate but with M plus intensity - tannins largely resolved. An excellent Cabernet from a good vintage- not quite the complexity of their flagship, the Heytesbury back in those days. Vasse Felix was the pioneer in Margaret River with Dr. Tom Cullity planting vines in 1973. The flagship for VF is now named after him.
Mid Ruby in colour. Aromas of Cassis, Bay Leaf, Capsicum and Herbs - very much in the Margaret River mould. Medium weight on the palate but with M plus intensity - tannins largely resolved. An excellent Cabernet from a good vintage- not quite the complexity of their flagship, the Heytesbury back in those days. Vasse Felix was the pioneer in Margaret River with Dr. Tom Cullity planting vines in 1973. The flagship for VF is now named after him.
Mar 17th, 2020
There's a time and place for wines, and this was certainly opened at the wrong place and time. Among a plethora of aged greats, the 16' Vasse Cab Sauv was just drowned. It looked boring to be frank - far too polish, plush, soft, with a healthy dollop of pyrazine. Sadly, many didn't even finish their glass. I feel in a different situation, this would have been a solid tipple.
There's a time and place for wines, and this was certainly opened at the wrong place and time. Among a plethora of aged greats, the 16' Vasse Cab Sauv was just drowned. It looked boring to be frank - far too polish, plush, soft, with a healthy dollop of pyrazine. Sadly, many didn't even finish their glass. I feel in a different situation, this would have been a solid tipple.
Oct 4th, 2019
Only fans of bell pepper need apply.
Only fans of bell pepper need apply.
Jun 28th, 2019Sandy gravelly tannin, dry long finish, black fruited. Mild bay leaf, eucalypt, medium bodied. Decanted for 1 hour - needed more time.
Sandy gravelly tannin, dry long finish, black fruited. Mild bay leaf, eucalypt, medium bodied. Decanted for 1 hour - needed more time.
Mar 15th, 2019