'from a vintage that combined fruit intensity and stylishness...'

96 Points

A classically elegant and exquisitely presented cabernet from a vintage that combined fruit intensity and stylishness. The aroma has a distinctive lift of blackcurrant and slightly savoury olive tapenade with a deep dark chocolate character. Hint of bay leaf and oyster shell minerality. It’s finely balanced with fine-grained oak and firm fine tannins.

2022 Cabernet Sauvignon  The Premier Cabernet Sauvignon of Vasse Felix. Made every year since  1972, each vintage of this historic Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River’s  original, embodies a faithful pursuit of excellence, purity and wine   artistry. Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon is an archetypal expression,  possessing all the hallmarks of the finest Margaret River Cabernet;  elegance, power and ageability.  APPEARANCE   Bright deep Garnet.  VARIETIES   89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 1% Merlot  NOSE   Concentrated and complex aromas unfold with dark berry  coulis and raspberry pip, intertwined with graphite, wet  stones, and dry forest floor. Floral notes of everlastings and  potpourri emerge, alongside subtle accents of liquorice, star  anise, and charcoal. A touch of saddle leather, wax, vanilla, and  cedar adds depth to this captivating aroma.  PALATE   A fresh and delicate entry leads to a fleshy core, elevated  by buoyant acidity. Medium-bodied with a lovely mouth filling tension, it unfolds with vibrant complexity—notes of  blueberry skin, dark chocolate, and firm tannins build towards  a long, dry finish. It’s reminiscent of a warm yet assured  handshake, exuding confidence.  WINEMAKER COMMENTS  Cabernet parcels 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  were individually fermented using indigenous yeasts, with  some experiencing maceration periods of up to 34 days.  Natural fermentation and extended maceration are coupled  with traditional oxidative handling to clearly define the  intricate personality of each vineyard site before blending.  Malbec still remains a valuable component as it always has  with our Cabernet Sauvignon.  VINTAGE DESCRIPTION  A cool, winter-like spring saw vine growth delayed in  development. Rainfall in October was significant. A dry and  warm summer, with sustained warmth day and night through  December, January and February, possibly influenced by  another La Niña season, saw a rapid ripening period for all  white varieties, with all vineyards harvested in little over a  month. Fruit quality was excellent with surprising delicacy  and elegance. A low yielding vintage, primarily due to spring  conditions over the past two years. Warm and rapid veraison  for reds in early February was ideal and saw the Cabernet’s  desirable ripe flavours pronounce themselves quickly. Vine  health remains fantastic, with fruit quality high and flavours  concentrated.  HARVESTED   16 March - 18 April 2022  PRESSING  81% Basket Press, 19% Air Bag Press  FERMENTATION  100% wild yeast, 100% whole berry  FERMENTATION VESSEL  86% Stainless Steel  14% Alternate Vessels (Open Oak Vat, Concrete Egg,  Cocciopesto)  TIME ON SKINS 11-32 days (average 18 days)  MATURATION   225L French oak barrique  34% new, 66% 1-5 year old,  19 months; 18 months in oak, 1 month blended in tank  BOTTLED 28 November 2023  TA 6.4g/L PH 3.47  MALIC ACID 0.08g/L  RESIDUAL SUGAR 0.54g/L  ALCOHOL 14.5%  VEGAN FRIENDLY Yes  CELLARING 20+ years for savoury, elegant aged  Cabernet Sauvignon