Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay 2021

Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay 2021

 

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Vasse Felix
Filius Chardonnay 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : Australia
  • Region : Margaret River
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Creamy Full Bodied White
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 12,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Chardonnay

A Margaret River Chardonnay that fuses maritime finesse with elegant winemaking, offering vibrancy and poise in equal measure.

Experts Score Vintage
JS James Suckling 93 2021
WE Wine Enthusiast 93 2021
RP Robert Parker 90 2021
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay 2021 hails from Margaret River, a premier coastal wine region in Western Australia renowned for its Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Benefiting from the maritime climate, the region experiences a long, slow ripening season that fosters freshness and aromatic complexity in white wines.

The 2021 vintage was shaped by La Niña conditions, bringing cooler and wetter weather than usual. This demanded intensive vineyard management, including leaf plucking and canopy control to mitigate disease risks. Despite the challenges, warm spells in December and January, followed by ideal ripening weather after two key rain events, allowed Chardonnay to reach full phenolic ripeness while maintaining fresh acidity. The fruit was harvested between 12 February and 5 March, from multiple vineyard sites and clones, carefully selected for their lighter, more elegant fruit profile.

Winemaking

Vasse Felix practices a site-specific and minimal-intervention philosophy, and the 2021 Filius Chardonnay exemplifies this approach. The fruit was Selectiv-harvested as whole berries, followed by gentle air bag pressing after a brief 5-hour skin contact. The juice, left moderately cloudy (average 230 NTU), underwent wild fermentation in French oak barriques, promoting texture and complexity.

The wine matured for 7 months in oak, with only 13% new barrels, while the remainder consisted of 2–5-year-old barriques, ensuring oak influence was subtle, supporting rather than dominating the fruit. Regular bâtonnage was used selectively, tailored to each batch, to enhance mouthfeel and depth. Malolactic conversion was about 75% complete, lending creaminess without sacrificing freshness. The wine was bottled in December 2021 and is vegan-friendly.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Bright pale straw.
  • Aroma: Delicate, pure fruit notes of nashi pear, Granny Smith apple, and nectarine skin are layered with hints of lemon butter, herb salt, crushed seashells, and a touch of Chinese five spice.
  • Palate: The palate is soft and refined, showing precise acidity that lends freshness without aggression. It is creamy yet vibrant, beautifully poised between elegance and flavour, reflecting the cool, restrained vintage with finesse.

Did you know?

"Filius" means "son" in Latin, positioning this Chardonnay as the elegant offspring of Vasse Felix’s flagship range. Though crafted with restraint, it retains the house signature—purity of fruit, maritime energy, and understated complexity.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Seared scallops with lemon beurre blanc – the wine’s citrus notes and silky texture mirror the delicate richness of the scallops.
  • Grilled chicken with tarragon cream sauce – a natural pairing with the creamy palate and herbal nuance.
  • Roast cauliflower with almonds and tahini – vegetal sweetness and nuttiness echo the wine’s subtle oak and spice tones.
  • Soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert – the creamy weight and bright acidity balance each other effortlessly.

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 Suckling (JS) : 93 Points (2021)
A white of solid fruit with white peaches, apple and hints of vanilla and oak. Medium to full body, creamy texture and a flavorful finish. Lots going on here.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 93 Points (2021)
The entry level Chard from Margaret River's oldest estate is a steal, and a stellar intro to this West Aussie style. Delicate and seamlessly integrated notes of lightly toasted hazelnut and cream lead, with a salty sea breeze vibe. The pineapple, melon and preserved lemon notes take supporting roles. It's beautifully balanced, the crunchy acidity neatly juxtaposing the textural weight. Finessed with polish and craftsmanship, but also utterly drinkability now.Editors' Choice

Robert Parker (RP) : 90 Points (2021)
Crunchy, minerally and taut, a briney seam of acidity and phenolics strike through the heart of this wine and pull it through the finish. This 2021 Filius Chardonnay is the crunchy, vibrant end of the Chardonnay spectrum, not just within the Vasse Felix house style but within the regional context as well. This is a cleverly made, uncomplicated Chardonnay. I love the salted nuts through the finish.

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
JS
92
RP
94
WE
90
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 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
DCT
96
W&S
94
JS
98
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
24,90 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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