Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

 

Zoom Mouse over image to zoom
Vasse Felix
Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
  • Vintage : 2020
  • Country : Australia
  • Region : Margaret River
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14,5°
  • Grappes : 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot

This Cabernet Sauvignon is aromatic and layered, with notes of forest fruits, savory nuances, and a minerally edge, capturing the unique character of Wilyabrup’s terroir.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 94 2020
W&S Wines & Spirits 93 2020
WS Wine Spectator 93 2020
JS James Suckling 92 2020
WE Wine Enthusiast 90 2020
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Located in the Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River, the vineyard parcels for this Cabernet Sauvignon are planted on well-drained gravel loam soils—an ideal terroir for Cabernet due to its ability to promote both varietal purity and structural finesse. The 2020 growing season was marked by early spring development and a warm start to summer, leading to fine, dry conditions that extended through the season. This climate encouraged early ripening, concentrating the flavors and preserving fresh acidity. An ideal Marri blossom timing minimized bird pressure, and late February rains refreshed the vines, allowing for an extended harvest that supported optimal tannin and flavor maturation.

The blend includes 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, enhanced by 13% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Merlot. These complementary varieties add complexity—Malbec for depth and richness, Petit Verdot for tannic structure, and Merlot for additional softness—creating a layered and balanced profile that highlights the Wilyabrup terroir.

Winemaking

Winemaking for the 2020 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon emphasizes the wine’s natural complexity and regional expression. The grapes were fermented with wild yeast as whole berries, a technique that promotes a refined and aromatic profile. Fermentation occurred in a mix of vessels—43% in static fermenters, 38% in rotary fermenters, and 19% in open-top fermenters—each contributing unique structural and textural elements. The wine spent 13 to 30 days on skins to achieve the desired level of tannic refinement and aromatic depth.

After fermentation, the wine matured in French oak barriques for 18 months, with 33% new oak and the remaining in 1 to 4-year-old barrels. This oak regimen enhances the wine’s complexity without overpowering the fruit, preserving its elegant character. Basket and air bag presses were used, allowing gentle extraction for a smooth and balanced tannin profile.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Deep ruby with a purple hue.
  • Aroma: Bright forest fruits with blackberry depth, enhanced by hints of baked bread crust, tomato-herb focaccia, black truffle, and a mineral complexity reminiscent of granite and ocean spray.
  • Palate: Juicy and intense, with lush dark fruits balanced by fine, powdery tannins. The palate is vibrant and taut, showing concentrated raspberry, vanilla, and savory nutmeg on the finish.

Did you know?

The Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon is the estate’s premier Cabernet, representing the archetypal style of Margaret River Cabernet. Since its first vintage in 1972, this wine has set a standard for elegance and ageability in Australian Cabernet, making it a benchmark for the region and a favorite among collectors.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Roast beef with rosemary and garlic: The wine’s tannic structure and savory notes complement the richness of the roast.
  • Truffle risotto: The earthy, truffle notes in the wine enhance the umami flavors in the risotto, creating a harmonious pairing.
  • Braised short ribs: The depth and structure of the Cabernet cut through the richness of the meat, while its acidity balances the dish’s savory elements.
  • Aged cheddar: The firm structure and dark fruit notes of the wine contrast with the creamy, tangy character of the cheese.

History of Vasse Felix

The Vasse Felix story begins with Dr Thomas Brendan Cullity, a visionary cardiologist whose passion for fine wine was awakened during his time in Britain in the 1950s. Inspired by the elegance of European wines and guided by the pioneering viticultural research of Dr John Gladstones and Professor Harold Olmo, Cullity searched for the perfect vineyard site in the untamed southwest of Australia. In 1967, he found his answer in Wilyabrup, a coastal pocket with red gravel soils over clay, protected by towering redgums and just kilometres from the Indian Ocean.

There, he planted 8 hectares of vines, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, and established rudimentary winemaking facilities—initially using repurposed hospital equipment. His early vintages faced scepticism and harsh conditions, but his determination laid the foundation for what would become one of Australia’s great estates.

In 1987, the estate was purchased by the Holmes à Court family, who have since nurtured Vasse Felix with unwavering commitment to quality and innovation, while remaining anchored to Cullity’s original vision: to make the best possible wine.

Chief Winemaker: Virginia Willcock

Appointed in 2006Virginia Willcock is one of Australia’s most respected and awarded winemakers. A graduate of the renowned Roseworthy Agricultural College, Virginia brings over three decades of experience, including vintages in Italy, New Zealand, and Albania, to her role at Vasse Felix.

Her winemaking philosophy is grounded in minimal intervention and a deep reverence for vineyard expression. She is a champion of wild fermentation, extended lees contact, and small-batch vinification—all techniques that heighten complexity and highlight the individuality of each site.

Under her stewardship, Vasse Felix has elevated its reputation both nationally and internationally, with Virginia receiving numerous accolades, including:

  • Australian Winemaker of the Year finalist (Gourmet Traveller Wine)
  • Trophy for Most Outstanding Wine in Show at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show
  • Recognition as one of the definitive voices of Margaret River terroir

Virginia’s leadership has helped shape Vasse Felix’s distinct style: wines of precision, purity and place, consistently praised for their structure, finesse, and ageability.

Region and Vineyards

Vasse Felix is located in the heart of Margaret River, a remote and pristine wine region in Western Australia that has emerged as one of the world’s premier sites for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The region’s unique terroir—ancient gravel-loam soils, a Mediterranean climate, and strong maritime influence—provides ideal conditions for slow, even ripening and the preservation of acidity, aromatic intensity, and structure.

Although Margaret River accounts for only 3% of Australia’s total grape production, it contributes over 20% of its premium wine market, a testament to its exceptional growing conditions and commitment to quality.

Vasse Felix farms three primary vineyards:

  • Home Vineyard (Wilyabrup): The original site selected by Dr Cullity, situated along Wilyabrup Brook. This iconic vineyard delivers powerful yet refined Cabernet Sauvignon, marked by gravelly loam soils and ocean proximity that moderates temperature extremes.
  • Karridale Vineyard: Located in the cooler southern part of the region, Karridale provides tension, brightness and aromatics, particularly valued in Chardonnay and white blends.
  • Carbunup Vineyard: Known for its warmer conditions, Carbunup contributes generosity, ripeness and texture, making it an essential component in blending for volume and richness.

All vineyards are cultivated with sustainable and organic principles, with site-specific approaches to variety, row orientation, and canopy management. Grapes are hand-picked in small parcels, fermented and aged separately, and undergo a meticulous grading process from vineyard to barrique to final blend.

Wine Range of Vasse Felix

The estate’s production is centred around Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, with a clear emphasis on varietal clarity, regional integrity, and textural elegance. The portfolio is structured into four quality tiers:

  • Icon WinesTom Cullity, the pinnacle of the estate’s red winemaking, sourced from the original 1967 vines and Heytesbury Chardonnay, an internationally acclaimed, complex white wine of fine tension and mineral drive.
  • Premier Range: Classic expressions of Margaret River varietals, highlighting the purity of fruit and vineyard-driven character. Includes Premier Cabernet Sauvignon and Premier Chardonnay.
  • Filius Range: A more approachable and youthful interpretation of the house style, showcasing vibrancy and freshness across Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc–Semillon blends.
  • Classic Range: Everyday wines crafted with the same attention to detail and philosophy as the estate’s top-tier offerings.

Did you know?

The estate's name is a nod to local history: “Vasse” honours French sailor Thomas Vasse, who was lost at sea nearby in 1801, while “Felix” means happy or fortunate in Latin. Fittingly, Jancis Robinson MW once described Margaret River as "the closest thing to paradise in any wine region I have visited", a sentiment embodied by Vasse Felix’s enduring commitment to beauty, balance, and place.

Robert Parker (RP) : 94 Points (2020)
The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is both earthy and mineral on the nose, with gravel and petrichor, graphite and iodine, raspberry, nori, layers of pomegranate molasses and black cherry. The wine reveals its 2020 vintage roots via the compact framework of tannin and lush red/purple core of fruit. Through the finish, it is possessed of two things in harmony: savory, chewy/ductile/agile tannins and a red jubey character.

Wines & Spirits (W&S) : 93 Points (2020)
Sugar plum scents introduce this salty, oceanic cabernet, a good, healthy wine with waves of currant fruit. The savory dark fruit keeps the wine lifted out of its tannins, which provide grip in the end and continue to yield fruit as they last.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 93 Points (2020)
Offers wild berry flavors that are plush and elegant, mingling with notes of forest floor, sage, dried mushroom and palo santo, plus a touch of peppermint oil. The tannins are supple and creamy, with an elegant yet powerful profile.

James Suckling (JS) : 92 Points (2020)
Blackcurrants, sage and hints of fresh herbs on the nose. Medium-bodied. Firm tannins and a fresh, vivid finish. Linear and delicious. Drink now

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 90 Points (2020)
Heady notes of sweetly spiced oak and chocolate mingle with cassis, violet and mint. Tannins are a little chunky, and acid- ity is pinched, but there’s lovely savory spice and red fruit tang right through to the finish. A solid, youthful Cab bearing the classic Vasse style, but this reviewer recommends paying a bit extra for the winery’s self-named middle tier bottling.

Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2022
Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2022
Vasse Felix
Heytesbury Chardonnay 2022
RP
97
WE
96
DCT
97
A benchmark Australian Chardonnay, the Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2022 showcases the precision and power of Margaret River’s terroir. The wine delivers an expressive interplay of minerality, depth, and elegance, offering a refined and structured experience.
77,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay 2021
Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay 2021
Vasse Felix
Filius Chardonnay 2021
JS
93
RP
90
WE
93
A Margaret River Chardonnay that fuses maritime finesse with elegant winemaking, offering vibrancy and poise in equal measure.
24,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Vasse Felix Chardonnay 2022
Vasse Felix Chardonnay 2022
Vasse Felix
Chardonnay 2022
WS
91
RP
94
JH
95
The 2022 Vasse Felix Chardonnay is a quintessential Margaret River Chardonnay, combining elegance and power with layers of wild complexity.
34,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Vasse Felix
Filius Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
WS
93
WE
90
W&S
90
Crafted primarily from 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, with contributions from 10% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot, this wine embodies the quality-driven, minimal intervention ethos of Vasse Felix.
24,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Malbec 2018
Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Malbec 2018
Vasse Felix
Tom Cullity Cabernet Malbec 2018
JS
98
DCT
96
W&S
94
A triumph of balance and precision, the 2018 Tom Cullity envelops the palate in fine-grained tannins and enduring perfume. An unforgettable tasting experience from one of Australia's greatest vintages!
135,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
41,00 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
We also suggest...
Australia
93 James Suckling
Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay 2021
Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
A Margaret River Chardonnay that fuses maritime finesse with elegant winemaking, offering vibrancy and poise in equal measure.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
24,90 €
Australia
97+ Robert Parker
Pewsey Vale The Contours 10 Years Museum Release 2012
Pewsey Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
The Pewsey Vale The Contours 10 Years Museum Release Riesling 2012 showcases the remarkable aging potential of Eden Valley Riesling. After a decade in the bottle, this wine offers a perfect balance of citrus freshness, complex secondary flavors, and mineral depth, making it an extraordinary expression of bottle-aged Riesling.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
52,00 €
Spain
94 James Suckling
Torres Mas La Plana 2018
Torres Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Torres Mas La Plana is an iconic Spanish wine from the prestigious Familia Torres. This exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon hails from the Penedès region and has been acclaimed worldwide for its remarkable quality and distinctive character.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
87,00 €
New Zealand
97 James Suckling
Rippon Pinot Noir Mature Vine 2020
Rippon Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Rippon Mature Vine Pinot Noir is a fine expression of New Zealand terroir, showcasing the depth and complexity of mature Pinot Noir vines grown on the shores of Lake Wanaka in Central Otago.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
46,90 €
France
100 Robert Parker
Chateau Haut-Brion Pessac Léognan 2020
Chateau Haut-Brion Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
A profound and elegant wine from a historic First Growth, 2020 Haut-Brion showcases precision, harmony, and the richness of a warm, early-ripening vintage.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
730,00 €
Germany
95 James Suckling
Joh Jos Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett 2022
Joh Jos Prüm Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
The Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett is an exquisite example of Mosel Riesling, delivering the signature balance of vibrant acidity and delicate sweetness that the estate is renowned for. A perfect reflection of its terroir, it captures the essence of the Graacher Himmelreich vineyard's steep, slate-rich slopes.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
48,90 €