WELCOME TO VASSE FELIX 2016
: A REMOTE AND PRISTINE PARADISE * N Indian Ocean VASSE FELIX WINE REGION Southern Ocean
: A REMOTE AND PRISTINE PARADISE MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE Wet winters and long, dry summers (growing season). MARITIME INFLUENCE Small diurnal variance, moderated by region s cape location, proximity to the Indian and Southern Oceans and associated sea breezes. PERFECT SOILS Gravel-loam over clay. These dry, lean soils provide ideal drainage for optimum balances between vine growth and yield.
: A REMOTE AND PRISTINE PARADISE Margaret River is responsible for 1.6% of Australia s total Chardonnay production and 3.1% of Australia s total Cabernet production (2012 vintage). Although the region contributes only 3 per cent of Australia s wine grapes, Margaret River commands over 20 per cent of its premium wine market. (Wine Australia) REGIONAL PERFORMANCE: BEST OF THE BEST BY VARIETY JAMES HALLIDAY 2016 WINE COMPANION LANGTON S VINTAGE RATINGS CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHARDONNAY WINE REGION # WINES 8 YARRA VALLEY 8 MORNINGTON PENINSULA 4 BEECHWORTH 3 TASMANIA 2 MACEDON RANGES 2 OTHER REGIONS (1 WINE ONLY) 3 TOTAL 30 The dominance of Margaret River is likely to continue; not only is the climate ideally suited, but it is also far more consistent than that of any other Australian region. James Halliday, on Margaret River Cabernet. CABERNET SAUVIGNON & FAMILY WINE REGION # WINES 16 LANGHORNE CREEK 4 BAROSSA VALLEY 6 SOUTH AUSTRALIA 4 YARRA VALLEY 3 COONAWARRA 2 EDEN VALLEY 2 CLARE VALLEY 2 FRANKLAND RIVER 2 HEATHCOTE 2 OTHER REGIONS (1 WINE ONLY) 5 TOTAL 48 VINTAGE '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 11 12 13 9 7 10 8 6 10 10 10 10 9 9 9 COONAWARRA 9 8 9 9 9 7 8 8 9 6 10 9 EDEN VALLEY 9 6 7 8 7 8 8 8 10 7 9 9 YARRA VALLEY 10 8 9 9 9 7 7 4 9 5 9 9 CHARDONNAY VINTAGE '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 12 13 9 7 8 8 7 10 10 10 10 9 9 10 ADELAIDE HILLS 10 8 9 8 7 8 6 10 9 4 9 10 HUNTER VALLEY 8 10 8 8 8 8 4 9 10 8 7 9 MORNINGTON PENINSULA 6 8 9 8 9 8 8 6 9 6 9 9 YARRA VALLEY 10 8 9 9 9 8 7 4 10 7 9 9 Ratings: 10 Outstanding Vintage, 9-8 Very Good, 7-6 Average, 5-4 Ordinary, 3 Disastrous http://www.langtons.com.au/tools/vintagechart.aspx
S FOUNDING WINE ESTATE - ESTABLISHED 1967 THEN: Vasse Felix Founder Dr Tom Cullity The first Cabernet, 1972 vintage. NOW: The Estate & Premier Wines 1965 Dr John Gladstones reports Margaret River s similar climate to Bordeaux 1801 The French map Australia s South-West, Thomas Timothee Vasse disappears 1967 Dr Tom Cullity plants Vasse Felix Vineyard Margaret River establishes itself as a leading wine region for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay 2017 50 years of Margaret River (Vasse Felix) wine 1955 Professor Harold Olmo (UC Davis) recommends Australia s South-West for premium viticulture 1972 First Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon made 1971 First Vasse Felix harvest 2014 Unlike any other wine region in the world I can think of, since 2007 Margaret River has enjoyed an unbroken succession of excellent vintages. Jancis Robinson MW
VASSE FELIX S UNIQUE PROPOSITION PRIVILEGED HERITAGE Margaret River s founding wine estate Margaret River s oldest vines Margaret River s first Cabernet Sauvignon Dr Tom Cullity PRIVILEGED HERITAGE Strong family ownership (Heytesbury) Long-term vision Ongoing investment, innovation Talent and youth TRUSTED QUALITY Long-term critical acclaim Estate grown - Estate bottled Quality/value at every level, every time
WINE STYLE - BALANCE & ELEGANCE All production from vineyard to bottle managed within the Estate Four specialty vineyards around Margaret River including the Region s oldest Cabernet & Chardonnay focus Biological farming principles: Fruit quality through plant health, and plant health through soil health. KEY VARIETIES CABERNET SAUVIGNON MALBEC SHIRAZ CHARDONNAY SAUVIGNON BLANC SEMILLON
THE VASSE FELIX WINE COLLECTION ICON A selection of the most striking barrels from the vintage, representing Margaret River s flagship varieties; Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Fine-dining marquee establishments Private collectors Rare & fine in fine wine retail ICON PREMIER FILIUS HEYTESBURY CHARDONNAY & HEYTESBURY PREMIER The varieties and styles that are benchmarks and synonymous with Margaret River. Renowned for their elegance, finesse and balance, and tell of the vintage as experienced in Vasse Felix s Premier Vineyards. CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CHARDONNAY, SAUVIGNON BLANC SEMILLON, SHIRAZ FILIUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON & FILIUS CHARDONNAY Fine-dining Gastro pubs & small bars Boutique wine retail, select fine wine multiples Private collector clubs FILIUS Son of the Vasse Felix Cabernet & Chardonnay. Margaret River s leading varieties, sourced from all of the Vasse Felix Vineyards in a more generous style. By the glass a priority: Bistros, restaurants, hotels, gastro pubs & small bars Premium multiples and fine wine retail (broad distribution)
CHARDONNAY Modern Margaret River style Site influences contribute the distinguishing differences to each wine Fruit is harvested, chilled and pressed Unclarified juice is barrel fermented - French oak with only natural yeast from the vineyards Each parcel matures on lees in barrel for nine months with battonage Post-maturation, the Chardonnay is graded to make three distinct wines from the vintage
CABERNET SAUVIGNON Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon was the first Cabernet made in Margaret River (1972 vintage) Elegance, finesse, balance Most parcels are left on skins in small static fermenters for up to 30 days (extended maceration) to extract optimum fruit and tannin 100% wild yeast fermentation for Cabernet Sauvignon and Heytesbury from 2012 vintage 18 months maturation in French oak (12 months for Filius) Post-maturation, the Cabernet and blending varieties are graded to make three distinct wines from the vintage
AFFILIATIONS & ACCOLADES AFFILIATIONS VASSE FELIX S RANGE OF EXCEPTIONAL WINES MAKES IT A GREAT AMBASSADOR FOR. JOSH GREENE EDITOR WINE & SPIRITS ACCOLADES 5 STAR WINERY WINE STAR AWARDS 2014 WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR NOMINATION VIRGINIA WILLCOCK TOP 100 WINERY - 2012 2 X CLASSIFIED WINES OUTSTANDING HEYTESBURY EXCELLENT CABERNET SAUVIGNON GOLD MEDALLIST
CRITICAL ACCLAIM Vasse Felix is one of Australia s most esteemed wineries and their chardonnays have a track record for aging quite gracefully. Josh Raynolds, A Taste of the IWC, USA Consistently among the best Margaret River Chardonnays. Wine Enthusiast, USA on 2013 Heytesbury Chardonnay I ve tasted a lot of world class Cabernet Sauvignon this year from Bordeaux, Tuscany, California and many from Margaret River and Coonawarra, but none have been classier than this. Tim White, Australian Fin. Review on 2009 Heytesbury Real deal. Will give any Burgundy a run for their money. James Suckling, USA on 2010 Heytesbury Chardonnay. Vasse Felix is in orbit right now. Matthew Jukes 100 Best Australian Wines, UK As they say, the face of modern Australian Chardonnay. Sarah Ahmed The Wine Detective, UK Among the best in the region... and certainly the best value. Ray Jordan The West Australian Wine Guide, AU Vasse Felix is most certainly one of the stand-out wineries of Australia and it s unlikely you will find a better chardonnay or cabernet from Margaret River, or maybe even Australia. Wine Times, Hong Kong No one can doubt the quality or the longevity of this iconic wine. James Halliday, AU on 2011 Heytesbury Vasse Felix continues to be a beacon in this region, and not only for its flagship wines, but throughout the range. Huon Hooke, Sydney Morning Herald, AU. Personally, I am reconsidering my opinion on Australian reds... Jacques Benoit, La Pressa, Montreal, CA on 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon. Vasse Felix s range of exceptional wines makes it a great amabassador for Margaret River. Josh Greene Wine & Spirits, USA
POINT OF SALE & RESOURCES
SHOWCASING THE WINES & PRODUCE OF THE REGION - THE ESTATE WINE TASTING WINE LOUNGE RESTAURANT TOURS ART GALLERY All current vintage wines in the Vasse Felix Collection can be tasted at the cellar door tasting bar, 10am-5pm daily. Wines are available by the glass or bottle, accompanied with gourmet morsels in the contemporary wine lounge. À la carte menu serving lunch daily since 1989. One of Australia s Top 100 Restaurants as rated by Gourmet Traveller Magazine and the Australian Financial Review. Behind the scenes tours operate weekdays. These can be arranged directly with the Estate and can also be booked through a selection of international travel distribution partners. Seasonal exhibitions from the Holmes à Court Collection, one of Australia s largest private art collections are held throughout the year.
KEY PEOPLE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & OWNER PAUL HOLMES À COURT CHIEF WINEMAKER VIRGINIA WILLCOCK MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER LLOYD CONSTANTINE EXECUTIVE CHEF AARON CARR