Vasse Felix Premier Cabernet Sauvignon

Vasse Felix Premier Cabernet Sauvignon bottle image

Wine Description

This wine expresses the distinct regional profile of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and the site characters it takes from the Vasse Felix vineyards, with a focus on Wilyabrup. It was the first red wine produced in Margaret River and has been made every year since 1972. Cabernet is a robust variety ideally suited to Margaret River's climate and deep, well drained soils.

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Acclaim
"Interesting, very interesting. The colour, the freshness of the aromas and flavours, the finely sculpted tannins and the overall harmony suggest 13.5% alcohol, not 14.5%. All this conjecture is, of course, irrelevant: it is the outcome that matters - here a distillation of elegance."
— James Halliday, Oct 2016
"This is firm, dusty and seemingly built for the cellar. Toasty, cedary and chocolaty oak frames dark fruit, yet it remains fresh in character, not dried or overripe. The finish is long, tannic and reminiscent of fine Bordeaux." (Cellar Selection)
— Wine Enthusiast, Feb 2017
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
selected sites throughout Margaret River
Soil composition
deep gravel loam soil over clay
Training method
VSP, BAL
Exposure:
Various
Year vineyard planted:
1967-2008
Harvest time:
March - early April 15
First vintage of this wine:
1972
Average Vine Age:
10 - 51 yo
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Winemaking & Aging
Prefermentation Technique:
100% wild yeast, 98% whole berry and the 2% Petit Verdot underwent Carbonic maceration before whole bunch fermenatation
Time on its skins:
14-40 days
Varietal composition:
88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot
Fermentation container:
Static Fermenter and open fermenter
Malolactic fermentation:
Full
Fining agent:
Egg white
Type of aging container:
Barriques
Size of aging container:
225L
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
15 months
Age of Aging Container:
44% new, 56% 1-3 year old
Length of bottle aging:
9 months
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Analytical Data
No relevant data were found.
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Wine Production

Cabernet parcels grown in the coastal, northern reaches of Margaret River on ancient, well drained gravel loam soils produce wines of great varietal purity and character. These wonderful, often tiny, vineyard sections are individually fermented using indigenous yeasts, with many experiencing maceration periods of up to 40 days. Natural fermentation and extended maceration have been coupled with traditional oxidative handling to clearly define the intricate personality of each vineyard site before blending. Small portions of Malbec complement and enhance the Cabernet profile while elevated perfumes and alternative fermentation of Petit Verdot brings a bright nuance.

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About the Vineyard

Mild conditions in Margaret River with no extreme weather conditions, allowing for balanced fruit and a slow and steady intake. There was no disease pressure and fruit quality is excellent the only disappointment was yields being down across the Region for all key varieties. This was the outcome of storms in spring and pressure from an increase in the local population of Silver Eyes (birds) and no Marri Blossom.