Vasse Felix Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
I went to a vertical of Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon (among other wines) this week and so I’ve been going over the notes we’ve made on the wines over the years and adding some updated thoughts. The one wine that stands out from the past is the 2005, which seems much different to the way it presented as a young wine – unless it’s just in a stage. This 2009 version though – not released until November – is one to jump on. It’s a crackerjack.
It’s a blend of cabernet sauvignon (88%), malbec (11%) and merlot. It’s the first ‘standard’ Vasse Felix cabernet to be entirely matured in French oak – there’s usually some American.
The run continues. The 2007, 2008 and now 2009 Vasse cabernets are all super. Love how medium-weight this is, and yet how well structured it is. Mulberry, blackcurrant, sweet cedary oak – and some green herb characters as a highlight. Tarragon maybe. Effortless wine for now or later. Carries its alcohol with ease. A gorgeous option for the cellar. Indeed, spunky. Drink : 2016 - 2023 94 points Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon was the first red wine released from Margaret River (1972 Vintage). Intense, yet elegantly structured, it remains the oldest serving wine in the region.
Careful fruit selection and 18 months maturation in French oak barriques gives balance and complexity to a wine with unique character and style. Drinks beautifully upon release, will reward cellaring over 8 to 10 years.
Current Vintage: 2009
Intense, yet elegantly structured, Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon is the oldest serving wine of the region. It comes from our best vineyards in the northern part of Margaret River, centred in the Wilyabrup sub-region. Cabernet is a robust variety, ideally suited to Margaret River’s climate and deep, well-drained soils. With it’s unique aromatic structure, Cabernet Sauvignon is to us, the most noble of red grape varieties.
WINEMAKER COMMENTS
Our most characteristic Cabernet parcels come from the northern end of Margaret River, grown mostly on gravel loam soil within 8km of the coast. Individual vineyard sections were fermented in parcels with many left on skins for up to 30 days. The tannin influence is also controlled through traditional oxidative handling, creating a deeply coloured wine with great structure and length. The Cabernet backbone of blackcurrant and herbal nuances with long, dry sinewy tannins is lifted to glorious heights by the Malbec’s colour, tannin, acid and flavour.
Vasse Felix was the first winery to be built in the Margaret River. Owned and operated by the Holmes à Court family since 1987, the winery and vineyard have been carefully developed. Recent acquisitions of a neighbouring vineyard and property within the Wilyabrup subregion will ensure the dynamic Virginia Willcock will have the ability to craft wines of the highest calibre for many years to come, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay leading the way. There are two ranges: at the top, Heytesbury; then a full suite of classic varietals. Exports to all major markets. James Halliday
Established in 1967 the Vasse Felix estate vineyard is planted in the heart of the Wilyabrup sub region - The nucleus of premium wine production in Margaret River.
Low yielding, dry grown vines planted on some of the world’s oldest soils enjoy long, warm growing seasons and cooling summer breezes from the nearby Indian and Southern Oceans. This moderating effect is responsible for creating wines of exceptional concentration and intensity whilst retaining elegance and finesse – these cooling summer breezes from two oceans are unique to the South-West corner of Western Australia.
“Ancient soils and cooling sea breezes from the Southern and Indian Oceans provide the Vasse Felix vineyards with ideal conditions to craft consistent, elegant and complex wines with pronounced varietal character and aroma.”
First released in 1972, the Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon was the earliest wine to emerge from the internationally recognised wine region of Margaret River and is enjoying its 34th consecutive vintage this year.
