Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay 2019

Expectations are always high for the Filius Chardonnay as over the years it has shown itself to be a surprisingly serious Margaret River Chardonnay. Plenty of local winemakers struggle to make their top wines as good as #3 from Vasse Felix, which is a tribute to Chief Winemaker Virginia Willcock. It is a wine where all the pieces of great chardonnay are visible although in an early drinking style.

The wine starts with powerful fruit – nectarine, citrus and grilled nut aromas are well matched to understated but high quality oak. It is then dry, crisp and mid-weight with typical richness and generosity of fruit as seen in quality chardonnay with that tangy acidity giving impact and serious length. It is youthful and a little tight right now but give it a year or two and this wine will absolutely sing, especially with barbecued yabbies topped by a lemon and herb butter sauce.