2022 Vasse Felix Premier Margaret River Syrah
Grape
Syrah
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
Winemaker notes on current 2022 vintage
"Our more southern spicy parcels of fruit and the percentage of carbonic maceration and whole bunch fermentation create our vibrant, complex and refreshingly drinkable Syrah style. A portion of the fruit was carefully tipped into oak vats as whole bunches. The vats were closed and filled with CO2 without a berry being touched for 7-9 days, causing an enzymatic fermentation in the uncrushed berry. The fruit was then foot stomped and allowed to complete fermentation with wild yeast. The balance of the fruit was fermented as whole berries without stems in Stainless Steel Fermenters with open lid and oxidative handling and only the wild yeast was allowed to ferment. The fermented small batches were pressed to only older French Oak Barriques for 12 months to ensure the wine retains its elegant fine fruit perfumes. The 2022 vintage is elegant and fresh but deep ripe power underlying in a moderate season."
94/100 Halliday's Wine Companion, Jane Faulkner (2021 vintage)
"Not the easiest vintage in Margs, but you wouldn’t know it with this buoyant yet savoury offering. If anything, it needs more time in the bottle as it’s highlighting the exuberance of youth with its poppy dark fruits all spiced and tarted up with cranberry juice flavour. As it opens in the glass more layers are revealed, the texture of fine sandy tannins and lots of them, there’s a stony quality in a positive way as this is still tight. Savoury, complex and appealing."
93/100 James Suckling (2021 vintage)
"Inviting aromas of cracked black pepper, grilled rosemary, grilled meat and crushed plums. Medium-bodied with velvety tannins. Fresh and linear with green tobacco finish. Lovely spicy character with a bit of chew. Drink now. Screw cap."
| Variety | Syrah |
|---|---|
| Region | Western Australia |
| Closure | Cap |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Alcohol | 14.00% |
| Maturity | 2024 - 2040 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
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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.
