VASSE FELIX | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2022
cabernet sauvignon | malbec | merlot

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The story of Vasse Felix is the story of Margaret River itself. Established in 1967 by regional pioneer Dr. Tom Cullity, driven by the conviction that the region’s unique maritime climate and ancient soils held the secret to world-class winemaking, Vasse Felix is Margaret River’s founding wine estate. Recognized as one of the great wine regions in the world, Margaret River enjoys a truly unique microclimate which makes it a paradise for grape growing, where vines are planted on well drained, gravely-loam soils, thus capable to deliver wines of velvety elegance, vibrancy of fruit and a great ageing potential. The famous Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon, first produced in 1972, is the ultimate expression of this legacy. It is Margaret River’s original Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that has charted the course for the region and continues to be a benchmark for power and elegance – a wine that is capable to reflect the footprint of the Margaret River’s unique terroir.
Today we are going to review a wine that requires no introduction, as this is a genuine cabernet sauvignon wine from the lands of Down Under, and one of the most famous wine labels from Australia – Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 by Vasse Felix. Cabernet Sauvignon is grown all over the world in a wide range of climates and regions and it can produce wines that are very high in tannins and acidity, that can mature and develop for many years in the bottle. Cabernet Sauvignon is also a late ripening grape variety, which means that it is best suited for warm climates, where it is capable to produce wines that can reach into realms of perfection, where they are rarely followed.

Although the label only mentions the cabernet sauvignon grape variety, technically this wine is a harmonious blend of three grape varieties: cabernet sauvignon (89%), malbec (10%) and merlot (1%), where cabernet sauvignon forms the wine’s main body and structure, malbec lends that vibrant dark fruits character and some softness to the mouthfeel, while merlot provides balance, softness and offers a leaner and a more dynamic finish. The grapes for this wine were sourced from 50 years old vines planted on the slopes of the coastal Wilyabrup sub-region in Margaret River (Western Australia), on soils reach in ironstone and gravel. Each grape variety has been vinified individually with minimal intervention before being blended. In order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the final blend, the wine has been aged for 17 months in French oak barriques (from which 37% new oak and 63% used oak of 1 to 4 year old), with additional bottle ageing time before it was deemed ready for the market release.

Nestled on a peninsula in Western Australia, flanked by the Indian and Southern oceans, Margaret River enjoys a mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, moderated by cool sea breezes and the Leeuwin Current – thus enjoying a remarkably stable diurnal range. The region is famous for its structured, complex and age-worthy cabernet sauvignon and refined chardonnay, as well as peppery and dusty syrah/shiraz wines, all exhibiting vibrancy, velvety texture, and elegance that are all about precision and finesse.
Often regarded as the ‘dress circle‘ of Margaret River, Wilyabrup features gently rolling vineyards at low elevation (~40–200 m) slightly inland from the coast. Soils here are deep and well‑drained, rich in ironstone and gravel, with loams and clay subsoil, that enhance heat retention by day and cool steadily by night, fostering optimal and prolonged grape ripening. Proximity to the ocean ensures cooling breezes, preserving acidity and freshness in the grape berries. This microregion is famous for powerful and elegant cabernet sauvignon and rich chardonnay. Renowned producers like Cullen Wines, Moss Wood, Wasse Felix, Fraser Gallop and Ashbrook are located here, further enhancing this sub‑region’s prestige.


color: deep & opaque ruby color
clarity: noble ruby shades at the rim

In the glass, the wine presents a deep and opaque ruby color, with noble ruby shades at the rim, hinting at its concentration and complexity.

intensity: pronounced & fruity-expressive
fruit character: ripe & slightly overripe

The olfactory profile is pronounced and fruity-expressive. It opens up with a captivating wave of ripe to slightly overripe dark fruits: a symphony of dark cherry, blackcurrant, juicy blackberry, black plum and aronia. This intense fruitiness is elegantly complemented by a sophisticated earthy-dusty layer, revealing notes of pencil lead, wet granite, black soil and dust. In the background, a complex tapestry of secondary and tertiary aromas unfolds, with whispers of black pepper, cloves, and nutmeg intertwining with savory hints of tobacco leaf, toasted oakwood, and a delicate herbal lift of dried thyme, rosemary, and that signature touch of eucalyptus that many Margaret River‘s cabernet sauvignon wines are capable to deliver.

sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: fine
finish: lasting | aftertaste: crisp & seedy

The palate is firm, complex, and very well structured. The wine feels bold and rich, yet remains remarkably velvety. The mouthfeel is defined by a vibrant acidity that forms a refreshing spine, cutting through the concentrated fruit and ensuring the wine never feels heavy. The tannins are a masterclass in ripeness and structure – grippy, yet fine-grained, providing a silky texture that coats the palate. There is a touch of well integrated alcoholic warmth that adds even more structure and richness. The finish is long and persistent, with a crisp and slightly seedy aftertaste.

maturity: developing | needs more time | age for at least 3 to 5 more years
verdict: excellent | a reference wine | a wine that can reach into the realm of perfection

This is the epitome of an australian Cabernet Sauvignon – a wine capable of reaching into the realms of perfection – a truly exceptional wine that stands as a testament to the prowess of Margaret River – a textbook Cabernet Sauvignon that masterfully combines New World expressiveness with Old World finesse. It is a multi-layered and complex wine that manages to deliver both, the rich expressiveness of the fruit and the velvety elegance of a fine, Bordeaux-styled wine blend. The wine displays a quite restrained use of oak, allowing the varietal character and the subtle hints of the unique Wilyabrup terroir to shine through. This is a wine that is currently in its developing phase: while all its elements are in beautiful harmony, the wine is still young and far from its true potential, therefore it would be wise to allow this wine to age for at least 3 to 5 more years.

Given its structure and complexity, this remarkable wine calls for a pairing that is both rich and refined. We would suggest a herb-crusted rack of lamb served with a parsnip purée and a red wine reduction – a complementary pairing, where the savory herbs in the crust (rosemary & thyme) would beautifully echo the wine’s subtle herbal undertones, while the richness of the lamb will be perfectly balanced by the wine’s high acidity and firm tannins. The wine’s deep fruit character will complement the succulent meat, creating a culinary experience that is harmonious, sophisticated, and utterly memorable. Enjoy!
VASSE FELIX | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2022
variety: cabernet sauvignon | malbec | merlot
country: Australia | Western Australia
region: Margaret River | Wilyabrup
rating: 96.9

The 2022 vintage is a particularly special one, as it represents the 50th anniversary of the Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon. This historic wine has been produced every single year since its inaugural 1972 vintage, making it not only Margaret River’s first Cabernet Sauvignon, but also one of Australia’s most consistent and iconic wines – a piece of genuine australian history.

© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation. Cheers!