Filius Chardonnay 2023

Tasting Notes

• Colour – Bright pale straw, clean and inviting
• Nose – Harmonious fine fruit, with vibrant aromas of citrus peel, green apple, nashi pear, white peach, and nectarine. Subtle notes of jasmine, grapefruit pith, and limestone add intrigue
• Palate – The creamy texture is balanced with lively freshness, showcasing flavours of lemon curd, grapefruit, and green pawpaw. A refreshing, saline mineral edge brings precision, leading to a delicate, long, savoury finish with a soft chalky texture

Winemaking Process

The grapes for this wine were sourced from multiple sites and clones, producing light, elegant fruit with delicate flavours. Natural fermentation was employed, with varying levels of solids to enhance complexity. The wine spent 7 months maturing in French oak barriques, with a mix of new and older barrels used to preserve the fresh fruit character. A gentle battonage program was applied to individual batches, allowing the wine to develop texture and complexity while maintaining balance and harmony.

Vintage Description
The 2023 vintage began with a cool, winter-like spring, which delayed vine growth. Significant rainfall in October provided a solid foundation for the vines, followed by a dry and warm summer that encouraged rapid ripening, especially for white varieties. The warm and consistent temperatures in December, January, and February helped the Chardonnay develop its desired ripe flavours early, without sacrificing acidity or freshness. The vintage produced excellent fruit quality with surprising delicacy, elegance, and concentration, despite being low-yielding due to the challenging spring conditions.

Varieties
100% Chardonnay

Harvested
16th February – 12th March 2022

Pressing
100% Selectively harvested and destemmed, whole berry air bag press (following 5 hours of skin contact)

Juice Turbidity
Medium cloudy (average 222 NTU)

Fermentation
100% wild yeast
Fermented in French oak barriques

Maturation
7 months in French oak barriques

• 9% new
• 23% 1-year-old
• 68% 2-5 years old

Technical Details
TA – 6.5 g/L
pH – 3.15
Malic Acid – 0.5 g/L (approx. 85% complete)
Residual Sugar – 1.03 g/L
Alcohol – 12.5%

FAQ: Wine Terms 🤔

Chardonnay – A white grape variety known for its versatility and wide-ranging styles, from crisp and mineral to rich and oaky. Chardonnay is typically characterised by citrus, green apple, and stone fruit flavours, with a range of textures from creamy to lean, depending on the winemaking style.

Wild Yeast – Natural yeasts that are present on grape skins and in the winemaking environment, used to ferment the wine. Wild yeast fermentation can add layers of complexity and unique flavours, as opposed to using cultivated yeasts that are more predictable.

Barriques – Small French oak barrels (typically 225L) used for ageing wine. Barriques help develop the wine’s texture and complexity, imparting subtle flavours of spice, vanilla, and toasted oak, as well as allowing for micro-oxygenation that softens tannins and enhances the mouthfeel.

Battonage – A winemaking process where the lees (dead yeast cells) are stirred during the maturation process. This technique adds texture, richness, and complexity to the wine, particularly in white wines like Chardonnay.

Turbidity – A measure of cloudiness or suspended particles in the juice or wine. A medium cloudy juice (like this one) indicates a natural, less filtered approach to winemaking, preserving freshness and flavour complexity.

Food Pairing Suggestions 🍽️

• Grilled seafood – prawns, scallops, or snapper
• Roasted chicken with lemon and thyme
• Creamy pasta dishes – carbonara or mushroom fettuccine
• Soft cheeses – Brie, Camembert, or goat cheese

Serving Temperature 🌡️

• Best served at 10°C
• If stored at room temperature above 20°C, place in the fridge for 60 minutes before serving
• If stored in a fridge,  let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before drinking
• Decant for 15-30 minutes before serving for optimal flavour expression

Learn About Vasse Felix

Vasse Felix, Margaret River’s founding wine estate, was established by Dr. Thomas Brendan Cullity in 1967. Among his initial plantings were Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec vines, which formed the foundation for the estate’s first red wine production.

We can order in a Vasse Felix Wine we don’t stock, email us at info@partnersinwine.com.au

Vasse Felix Wines are situated in one of the great wine regions of the world, Margaret River enjoys a truly unique environment and climate which makes it a paradise for winemakers and wine lovers alike. From the first plantings, right up to the modern day, we have always strived to explore and express the very best of the Margaret River region at Vasse Felix.

Vasse Felix Vineyards sit on exceptional sites throughout the region, including Margaret River’s oldest – our Home Vineyard in the Wilyabrup area, planted in 1967. We firmly believe that exceptional wines are born in healthy vineyard environments, embodying the authentic essence of their terroir, and are crafted by a dedicated team of passionate individuals.

Our viticulture and winemaking principles are rooted in the unique needs of Margaret River’s pristine environment. Vasse felix Winery has a specialised approach that prioritises nurturing soil health, ensuring vine longevity, and fostering natural biodiversity within our ecosystem. Drawing from over 50 years of experience, we meticulously balance organic principles with targeted inputs to maximise quality and ensure long-term sustainability.

A significant portion of our efforts is dedicated to the ‘soil season’, where we focus on enhancing the nutrition, replenishment, and microbiology of our ancient soils. During the ‘growing season’, we work intuitively and diligently with each vine’s structure and canopy to optimise grape quality and natural resilience.

At the heart of Vasse Felix Wines lies environmental expression, and to achieve this, every plot of fruit is meticulously tended to from harvest through to fermentation and maturation. With traceability to each individual vineyard plot, our viticulturists and winemakers are empowered to enhance the quality of both land and vine, starting from the ground up.

Read more HERE about what makes Margaret River so great.

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