Vasse Felix Chardonnay 2022

Vasse Felix Chardonnay 2022

 

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Vasse Felix
Chardonnay 2022
  • Vintage : 2022
  • Country : Australia
  • Region : Margaret River
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Medium Bodied Aromatic Dry
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13°
  • Grappes : 100% Chardonnay

The 2022 Vasse Felix Chardonnay is a quintessential Margaret River Chardonnay, combining elegance and power with layers of wild complexity.

Experts Score Vintage
JH James Halliday 95 2022
WE Wine Enthusiast 95 2022
RP Robert Parker 94 2022
WS Wine Spectator 91 2022
JS James Suckling 91 2022
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Margaret River, a renowned region for premium Chardonnay, benefits from a maritime climate with consistent warmth during summer months, promoting concentrated flavors and balanced acidity. The 2022 growing season saw a cool, winter-like spring that delayed vine development, with substantial rainfall in October. A warm and dry summer followed, with sustained warmth day and night, accelerating the ripening period, especially for white varietals like Chardonnay. This rapid ripening yielded concentrated fruit with surprising elegance and delicacy, despite the low yields caused by the past two challenging spring seasons.

The fruit for this wine is a selection from Vasse Felix’s premier vineyard plots, with 84% from the Gingin clone and 16% from Bernard clones (95, 96, and 76). While plots from the Wallcliffe vineyard dominated this vintage, high-quality sections from Wilyabrup, Carbanup, and Karridale also contributed to the blend. These sites were chosen for their ability to impart both structure and finesse, allowing the Chardonnay to capture Margaret River’s renowned minerality and fruit purity.

Winemaking

The Vasse Felix Chardonnay 2022 is vinified with an emphasis on natural fermentation and low intervention. Select sections were hand-harvested, chilled, and whole-bunch pressed, while others were harvested using Selectiv technology and directly pressed. All batches underwent wild yeast fermentation in French oak barriques, allowing for natural complexities to develop. The wine’s structure and texture are further enhanced by a maturation period of 14 months, with 8 months in oak (44% new, 56% in 1-3-year-old barrels) and an additional 6 months blended in tank for harmonious integration before bottling.

Notably, 70% of the wine completed malolactic fermentation (MLF), softening the acidity and adding a creamy texture while preserving the fresh core of the fruit. The result is a Chardonnay that balances vibrancy with depth, showcasing both purity and refined complexity.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Pale straw with green and golden hues.
  • Aroma: Waxy and inviting, with notes of green tea candle, white peach, pear, and green plum. Floral aromas of jasmine and chamomile add elegance, while subtle hints of rock flint and vanilla bean provide depth.
  • Palate: Rich and centered with a delicate dry structure, featuring flavors of lemon, ginger, and custard, accented by hints of peach. The finish is smooth and chalky, with a lingering mineral feel.

Did you know?

The Gingin clone used predominantly in this Chardonnay is prized in Margaret River for its ability to produce wines with intense flavor concentration and vibrant acidity. Vasse Felix has long championed this clone, showcasing its unique ability to express the terroir of Margaret River through elegant, age-worthy Chardonnay.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Lobster with drawn butter and herbs: The wine’s acidity and minerality complement the richness of the lobster, while its subtle complexity adds layers to the pairing.
  • Seared scallops with lemon beurre blanc: The creamy texture of the Chardonnay enhances the scallops’ sweetness, while the citrus notes provide a refreshing balance.
  • Roast chicken with thyme and garlic: The savory, herbaceous qualities of the wine match the flavors of roasted chicken, creating a balanced and elegant pairing.
  • Triple-cream brie: The wine’s acidity and minerality cut through the cheese’s richness, while its floral and stone fruit notes provide a delightful contrast.

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.

James Halliday (JH) : 95 Points (2022)
While this does not hold back on the flavour front, it still has electrifying acidity and detail, as is the way with this producer. It’s flinty, citrusy, tangy and juicy with the palate full of grapefruit and white peach and texture via a slip of luscious lees and high-toned oak, which is superbly integrated. It’s a chardonnay that offers immediate pleasure without a second thought, and, yet, it lingers, it’s seductive, and you want to come back for more. So I did.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 95 Points (2022)
Fleshy melon and citrus fruit are at the fore on this medium gold-hued Chard from a warm vintage in Margaret River and underpinned by chalk dust, ground ginger, and toast aromas. It’s fruity, but it never feels overblown. A subtle creaminess on the palate is buoyed by tangy acidity. There’s lovely intensity and a pulse of flavor to the finish.

Robert Parker (RP) : 94 Points (2022)
The 2022 Chardonnay gives us a complete Chardonnay experience in the mouth. It is texturally plump, driven by fine salty acidity, saturated with powerful, concentrated fruit and shaped by gently grippy tannins. It's a really impressive wine, classy and composed too. 13% alcohol.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 91 Points (2022)
Firm and juicy up front, with vibrant acidity, plus yuzu, lemon oil and white tea details. Lemon, apple and nectarine flavors join a touch of freshly grated ginger and lemon blossoms before lingering on the finish, where there's a spicy grace note.

James Suckling (JS) : 91 Points (2022)
Aromas of cinnamon stick, marzipan, spiced quince and stone-fruit allusions. Mid-weighted, while boasting admirable tension. A verdant phenolic edge to the finish, suggesting ripening challenges. While this wine is rather terse for an opening act, there is plenty of flavor and structural attributes to get the chomps into.

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 Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Vasse Felix
Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
RP
94
WE
90
W&S
93
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.
41,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay 2021
Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay 2021
Vasse Felix
Filius Chardonnay 2021
RP
90
WE
93
JS
93
A Margaret River Chardonnay that fuses maritime finesse with elegant winemaking, offering vibrancy and poise in equal measure.
24,90 €
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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 €
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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
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34,90 €
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