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
“Youthful violet. Smoke-accented aromas of cherry liqueur, cassis, cedary oak and pipe tobacco are lifted by a spicy peppery nuance. Juicy and penetrating on the palate, offering bitter cherry, dark berry and rose pastille flavors that show excellent clarity and building spiciness. The cherry and tobacco notes repeat on a long, sweet finish framed by smooth, harmonious tannins.”
— Vinous, Jul 2021
“Vasse Felix’s winemaker Virginia Willcock, who has been with this producer since 2006, as well as coming up on her 30th vintage (some multiple vintages due to her working in Australia and Italy back to back), explained what made Margaret River, with its fiercely cooler wind influence from the ocean, so special when it came to Cabernet Sauvignon, “You need to have cool air to have that Cabernet hang all the way to its ripening cycle and so it is a long journey for it in Margaret River. I am a believer in ocean influence - you absolutely need that breeze.” The 2016 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon had finely integrated tannins with dried herbs and fresh red currants that had a long, expressive finish.”
— Catherine Todd, Jan 2020
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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:
Mid-March to early April
First vintage of this wine:
1972
Average Vine Age:
10 - 51 yo
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Winemaking & Aging
Prefermentation Technique:
100% wild yeast, 100% whole berry fermentation
Time on its skins:
11- 31 days
Varietal composition:
86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot
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:
18 months
Age of Aging Container:
44% new, 56% 1-3 year old
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.47
Acidity:
6.5 g/L
Alcohol:
14 %
Residual sugar:
0.4 g/L
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Wine Production

Our Cabernet parcels are grown in Wilyabrup, (the coastal, mid northern part of Margaret River) on ancient, well drained gravel loam soils to produce a wine 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 31 days. Natural fermentation and extended maceration are coupled with traditional oxidative handling to clearly define the intricate personality of each vineyard site before blending. Portions of Malbec complement and enhance the Cabernet profile while elevated perfumes and alternative fermentation of Petit Verdot bring a bright nuance and long tannin profile.

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About the Vineyard

Dry warm spring conditions at the end of 2015 helped establish a healthy fruitset and better yields than the previous two seasons. January temperatures were warm, interrupted by one rainfall event late in the month, great viticulture management, clean, well-trimmed canopies and subsequent warm weather prevented disease risk. White varieties were harvested throughout February with elegant flavors and bright natural acidity. January rain gave red varieties a timely drink and moderate long, dry conditions finished them with bright fruit and ripe tannins.