Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2022

Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2022

 

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

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.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 97 2022
DCT Decanter 97 2022
WE Wine Enthusiast 96 2022
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 96 2022
JS James Suckling 94 2022
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Margaret River, in Western Australia, is internationally recognized for producing some of the finest Chardonnays. The region benefits from a maritime climate, shaped by the Indian Ocean and Antarctic currents, which moderate temperatures and extend the ripening season. This allows the grapes to develop balanced acidity and layered complexity.

The Heytesbury Chardonnay is sourced from select vineyard parcels, planted with the Gingin clone, known for its low yields and concentrated fruit. The soils, composed of gravelly loam, provide excellent drainage, ensuring optimal vine stress and resulting in fruit with exceptional structure and depth.

Winemaking

The 2022 vintage experienced a cool, extended spring, delaying vine growth. This was followed by a warm summer, leading to fruit that was both rich and structured. The combination of these climatic conditions contributed to a wine of great intensity and elegance.

The grapes were hand-harvested from February 16 to March 4, followed by whole-bunch pressing to retain freshness. The juice, left unclarified, was fermented in French oak barriques using wild yeasts. The wine matured for 15 months, with 8 months in oak (56% new, 44% aged 1–3 years) and 7 months on lees in tank. Lees stirring was carried out to enhance texture, and natural malolactic fermentation was encouraged to create a harmonious balance between acidity and mouthfeel.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Pale straw with subtle green and golden tinges.
  • Aroma: Notes of flint, citrus peel, and stone fruit, complemented by smoky oak, vanilla, and hints of bergamot.
  • Palate: A silky, textured mouthfeel, with flavors of pear, lime curd, and crisp apple leading to a long, structured finish with fresh acidity.

Did you know?

The Gingin clone, a hallmark of Margaret River Chardonnay, is believed to be a local mutation of the Mendoza clone. It is renowned for its thick-skinned berries, which enhance concentration and natural acidity, contributing to the longevity of the wine.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Seared scallops with beurre blanc – The wine’s minerality and acidity complement the buttery texture of the scallops.
  • Grilled lobster with lemon butter – The bright citrus notes enhance the sweetness and richness of the lobster.
  • Roast guinea fowl with tarragon cream sauce – The wine’s texture and depth match well with poultry’s delicate flavors.
  • Aged Comté cheese – The nutty, umami complexity of the cheese is beautifully balanced by the wine’s freshness and structure.

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) : 97 Points (2022)
The 2022 Heytesbury Chardonnay is lighter, fresher and finer than I can ever remember the Heytesbury tasting on release. It stylistically made a name for itself in the mid 2000s for the high-solid ferments, flinty reduction and spice aplenty. These days, I feel the style has swung gently back toward the middle, presenting us with a wine that is infinitely composed, powerful, restrained and yet kaleidoscopic in its fruit profile. I am not a fan of bombastic "best ever" statements, but this may go down as one of the greatest Heytesburys I have had the pleasure of tasting on release, and that is a statement that pays respect to the 2010 and 2013 vintages. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

Decanter (DCT) : 97 Points (2022)
Sleek, taut and bursting with energy and succulence, this is excellent Chardonnay. A real thoroughbred, standing head and shoulders above all else in the tasting. A Jura-like washed rind note melds with curry leaf, quince and orchard fruits. Stony phenolics are bound to an intense saline lick to finish. Chiselled, vibrant and poised. So beautiful to drink. Reminiscent of something from the Jura, married to the ebullient fruit of Australia. Scintillating stuff that will age so very well.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 96 Points (2022)
2022 was on the warm side and this bottling of one of Margaret River's top Chards offers less of the reductive struck match and roasted-nut aromas of past vintages. It instead displays pithy citrus and melon rind, oats and salty seashell aromas, with a slight metallic edge. Round and textured, but with lovely acidity throughout, the concentrated fruit, oak and malolactic influences are all in perfect harmony. This may not be the longest-lived Heytesbury, but it's a damn fine drop now.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 96 Points (2022)
A complete package, the 2022 Chardonnay Heytesbury differs markedly from the Estate release from the same vintage with a tighter more composed shape and layered nuances. Crushed nuts, pear and flowerpress aromas are seamlessly intertwined with fine grained oak and smoky gunflint. An excellent upfront generosity of flavor takes a more savory refined line, punctuated by tangy acidity. Length is exceptional and this will build further in time.

James Suckling (JS) : 94 Points (2022)
This vintage is challenging, manifested here as a bony framework with a phenolic edginess. Apricots, truffles, ginger and glazed quince. The acidity, despite the medium body, is all knees and elbows. The finish is not as smooth as it could be. And yet I feel that time will work wonders as things settle down.

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 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
77,90 €
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