VASSE FELIX FILIUS CHARDONNAY 2024 - white

Style : Spicy & BrightIt’s a couple of years off Virginia Wilcock’s two-decade anniversary as chief winemaker at Vasse Felix. And while that is a significant stint, the achievements that she has crammed into that time suggest an even longer time at the tiller of this founding Margaret River estate. Dr Tom Cullity planted the first vines at Vasse Felix in 1967, which included malbec and cabernet sauvignon. The wine that bears his name, the estate’s flagship, features those old vines, with the malbec portion hovering around 20 per cent, depending on the vintage. That says a bit about Virginia. Both the sizeable inclusion of malbec (a homage, yes, but with cabernet king in the region, sharing the billing is a risk) and the style, which is more about elegance and refinement than raw power. Virginia is one of our most thoughtful and progressive winemakers, ever striving to make better, more engaging, more site- and region-specific wines. The Vasse Felix range reaches dizzying heights, but right through its four tiers, the wines consistently overdeliver with outstanding quality. WINE COMPANIONEven in warmer vintages, there’s still restraint with Vasse Felix wines. Filius has some fleshy stone fruit in the mix but also requisite citrus, ginger spice and some struck match. No new oak here, so this is a vibrant representation of fruit, although there’s a lick of lees and, thus, a savouriness throughout. Yup. Very appealing. JANE FAULKNER,Wine CompanionRegion : Margaret River, WESTERN AUSTRALIAVariety : Chardonnay ABV: 12.5%Liquor Act 2007. It is against the law to sell or supply alcohol to, or to obtain alcohol on behalf of a person under the age of 18 years. Lic No. LIQP770016424 *We endeavour to ensure the correct vintage is displayed, however some variations may occur in store and for delivered bottles.