Vasse Felix Idée Fixe Premier Brut 2023

Tasting Notes

• Colour – Brilliant pale lemon with a fine, persistent bead.
• Aromas – Coastal rosemary, oyster shell, yellow plum, golden kiwi, and ocean mist.
• Palate – Zesty lemon, crunchy green apple, and subtle brioche ride a wave of mineral texture. Silky mousse and delicate oak give depth, finishing long and chalky.

Food Pairings

• Oysters Natural – Enhances the saline, mineral character of the wine.

• Cured Kingfish or Crudo – Matches citrus lift and textural elegance.

• Goat Cheese Tartlet – Creamy and zesty meets crisp and mineral.

• Salt-Baked Snapper – Emphasises purity and sea-driven finesse.

Accolades

Ray Jordan – 95 Points
This is a blanc de blancs style made from 100 per cent chardonnay from Margaret River. There’s some real power in this wine, and to me it’s probably the best example of it yet. Creamy, lightly stone-fruited characters on the nose, with a little lemon curd and brioche. The palate brings it all home with intensity and drive, supported by a lovely lifted mouthfeel, lively bead and precise acidity. Touches of savoury white peach and a little roasted nut. Terrific wine.

Winemaking

• 100% Chardonnay – House-grown in Karridale from heritage clones.

• Free-Run Juice Only – Finest cuvée fraction for purity and finesse.

• Fermented in Stainless & French Oak (20%) – Balancing freshness with texture.

• Méthode Traditionnelle – Secondary fermentation in bottle.

• Lees Ageing – Over 19 months on lees for creamy mouthfeel and complexity.

• Low Dosage – 5.1g/L to preserve structure and drive.

Vintage & Terroir – 2023

A long, cool ripening season in Karridale delivered perfect conditions for sparkling Chardonnay. The region’s cloud cover, cool breezes and quartz-rich soils enhanced natural acidity and purity of fruit – essential for a balanced, ageworthy Blanc de Blancs.

Storage & Serving Tips

• Serving Temp – 8°C

• Glassware – Use a white wine or tulip-shaped sparkling glass to maximise aromatics.

• Cellaring – Ideal now, with complexity continuing to build over the next 2–3 years.

FAQ

What is Blanc de Blancs?
It means ‘white from whites’ – this wine is made entirely from Chardonnay, giving it freshness, elegance and a mineral profile.

How does Margaret River Chardonnay translate to sparkling?
The region’s cool southern subzones (like Karridale) produce Chardonnay with naturally high acidity, ideal for sparkling wine.

Is this a dry sparkling?
Yes – with a dosage of 5.1g/L, it’s in the Brut category, offering freshness and crispness rather than sweetness.