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2022 Vasse Felix Margaret River Heytesbury Chardonnay

Parker's Wine Advocate

In stock

It's difficult to express how superb is this top Chard from Vasse Felix. Margaret River's cooler climate seems to intensify Chardonnay's citrus and mineral depths, When grown and made with the care these experts throw at them, some special things happen. Clarity and huge depth of flavour characterise this age-worthy, top-ranked Aussie white. Rare in retail.

$117.00 in mixed 6+ or $130.00 per bottle

Overview

Grape

Chardonnay

Its Origins

As the moderate climate of Margaret River is becoming Australia’s centre of premium winemaking, Vasse Felix are leading the pack in recognition and can, in fact, lay claim to having been there first. It was the founder Dr Thomas Cullity whose planting experiments were confirmed when in 1966 experts identified Margaret River as a near homoclime (same climate as) Bordeaux. Luckily those commissioning the studies, and the local newspaper that published the details, had no idea how significant they were, and in 1967 Cullity had little competition in finding the best site - which he cleverly did in redgum country with red gravel above and clay lying below. Here at Margaret River’s first vineyard, Vasse Felix, he planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec and Riesling. The latter variety was to be the label’s first success (in 1972), showing the white wine promise of the cooler Margaret River, which is now as famous for Chardonnay as it is for Cabernet Sauvignon. Regarding Cabernet itself - which is the winery’s flagship - the acknowledged experts at Vasse Felix have a distinctive take on this variety, revealing the elegant and aromatic nature of the grape so that that at times it seems to compare as much to Burgundy as it does to Bordeaux. With an established reputation but also the strictest artisanship and organic, sustainable practices - including being on the cutting edge of industrial recycling - Vasse Felix are not only masters of their art, but stayers in the game.

What The Critics Say

97/100 Parker's Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin

"The 2022 Heytesbury Chardonnay is lighter, fresher and finer than I can ever remember the Heytesbury tasting on release. It stylistically made a name for itself in the mid 2000s for the high-solid ferments, flinty reduction and spice aplenty. These days, I feel the style has swung gently back toward the middle, presenting us with a wine that is infinitely composed, powerful, restrained and yet kaleidoscopic in its fruit profile. I am not a fan of bombastic "best ever" statements, but this may go down as one of the greatest Heytesburys I have had the pleasure of tasting on release, and that is a statement that pays respect to the 2010 and 2013 vintages. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap." Drink 2024 - 2038

97/100 Decanter, Ned Goodwin MW

"Sleek, taut and bursting with energy and succulence, this is excellent Chardonnay. A real thoroughbred, standing head and shoulders above all else in the tasting. A Jura-like washed rind note melds with curry leaf, quince and orchard fruits. Stony phenolics are bound to an intense saline lick to finish. Chiselled, vibrant and poised. So beautiful to drink. Reminiscent of something from the Jura, married to the ebullient fruit of Australia. Scintillating stuff that will age so very well." Drink 2024 - 2036

97/100 Halliday's Wine Companion, Jane Faulkner

"If one wine typifies the current state of Australian chardonnay (complex, superfine, detailed and majestic) as much as a wine of place, Heytesbury could possibly be it. There’s a lot of fruit power this vintage, yet still, a tightly coiled style in youth. A millefeuille of flavour – grapefruit, lemon salt, white nectarine and complex savoury nuances, the oak and lees folded into the wine. There’s an intriguing zinc character too, a little flinty and funky with mouth-watering acidity. Moreish and compelling all the way through. Mesmerising." Drink 2024 - 2034

Stats & Food Matching

Variety	Chardonnay
Region	Western Australia
Closure	Cap
Volume	750ml
Alcohol	13.00%
Maturity	2023 - 2038

This Wine Goes Well With

Taste

Delivery & Returns

We deliver throughout New Zealand and to some locations overseas. Our deliveries are made by trusted third party carriers. For further details on prices and delivery options please go to DELIVERY INFORMATION section of our site.

If for any reason you are not entirely happy with your order or you suspect that they may be affected by a quality issue, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will remedy the problem straight away. Contact us on 0800 422 767.