Vasse Felix : Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Tasting notes and advice for the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Vasse Felix

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a deep ruby-red hue with violet highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity, with notes of blackcurrant and wild blackberry, accompanied by nuances of olive tapenade, tobacco leaf and cedar. Aromas of violet, graphite and dried winter herbs such as sage and bay leaf mingle with hints of spiced charcuterie. A subtle maritime salinity emerges, evoking the proximity of the Indian Ocean, while notes of wild mushrooms and Mexican chocolate add an extra dimension to the bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this wine stands out for its elegance and freshness. The attack is delicate, followed by a silky texture revealing flavors of blood plums and wild blackberries. Notes of graphite and iron-rich earth bring a mineral edge. The tannins are fine and powdery, perfectly integrated, offering structure and refinement without harshness. Bright, lively acidity adds energy and carries the whole. The finish is long and complex, with lingering aromas of blackcurrant and native potpourri set on a solid tannic backbone.

Food and wine pairings

This cabernet sauvignon pairs perfectly with grilled red meats, herb-roasted lamb, as well as slow-cooked dishes such as beef bourguignon. It also pairs very well with aged hard cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve through to around 2030. It is best served at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for one hour will allow its aromatic complexity to fully express itself.

An elegant, complex Australian cabernet sauvignon from Margaret River

The estate

Founded in 1967 by Dr Tom Cullity, Vasse Felix is the very first wine estate in the Margaret River region of Western Australia. Today, the estate is led by Paul Holmes à Court, owner and managing director since 2008, who continues a long-term vision to make Vasse Felix and Margaret River global benchmarks for the next hundred years. Under the leadership of chief winemaker Virginia Willcock, named 2026 Winemaker of the Year by the Halliday Wine Companion, the estate has established itself as the number one Australian wine estate. Vasse Felix now farms around 310 hectares of certified organic vines, making it the largest organic winegrowing operation in Western Australia.

The vineyard

This cabernet sauvignon comes from the most prestigious plots in Wilyabrup, located just 4 kilometers from the Indian Ocean. The vines benefit from optimal exposure to cooling sea breezes and are rooted in ancient silty gravel soils unique to Margaret River, known as Forest Grove. These exceptional soils, 1.6 billion years old, provide perfect drainage while retaining heat, encouraging even ripening of the grapes. A deeper clay layer allows the vines to access water during the summer. The vineyard is also home to the heritage Houghton clone, planted as early as 1967, which naturally produces small, thick-skinned berries and low yields of 4 to 6 tons per hectare, thereby concentrating aromas and complexity.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Margaret River proved particularly demanding, with rainfall 41% above the ten-year average. February 2021 was the wettest in twenty years, creating strong botrytis pressure across the region. Despite these challenges, constant vigilance and meticulous grape selection during hand harvesting made it possible to pick high-quality fruit. Conditions improved in March and April, with cooler, drier weather that encouraged the development of delicate aromas, fine energy and refined tannins in the cabernet sauvignon. Attentive producers thus achieved Australian wines of remarkable precision and elegance.

Winemaking and aging

This 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is made using a minimalist approach that prioritizes the expression of terroir. The grapes are destemmed and fermented in small lots in stainless-steel tanks, exclusively with indigenous yeasts naturally present on the berries. Extended skin maceration, reaching up to 32 days for certain plots, helps extract a fine tannic structure and maximum phenolic complexity. Each plot is vinified separately to preserve its identity. The wine is then aged for 18 months in French oak barrels from prestigious cooperages such as Taransaud and Sylvain, with less than 40% new oak to preserve the purity of the fruit. The final blend includes malbec, which adds depth and notes of blackberry.

Grape variety

Cabernet sauvignon complemented by malbec