2023 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay Margaret River

$99.95 $114.95
WA97+JS97DC97WS94

The famous founding winery of the Margaret River region in Western Australia. Vasse Felix is acclaimed internationally for its world class wines. The Heytesbury Chardonnay is a showcase of purity, precision and refinement. The 2023 vintage is a true collector’s edition, poised to age with grace, the 2023 vintage is defined by its impeccable balance, vibrant acidity, and brilliant pronounced flavors.
Wonderfully complex, showing classic aromas of fine stone flint, lamb fat, and champignon, alongside custard lemon biscuits. Subtle hints of wet limestone and ocean spray evoke the region’s maritime influence, while a touch of white leather and sweet new straw bring savoury notes. This a beautifully structured wine with taut acidity and a rich phenolic texture that adds further depth. A Chardonnay that will evolve well over the next several years.

**Special price of $84.95 each on purchase of 2 bottles.
Discount shown at checkout

Varietal:
Chardonnay
Winemaker:
Virginia Willcock
Vintage:
2023
Aging:
9 months
Oak Treatment:
42% New French Barriques
Appellation:
Margaret River
Total Varietal Composition %:
100% Chardonnay
Alcohol %:
13.0%
Score Wine Advocate:
97+
Score Wine Spectator:
94
SKU #:
1056781
Size:
750 ml Bottle
WA97+

Wine Advocate

The 2023 Heytesbury Chardonnay reveals all the poise and balance we expect from the season. It is awesome. This feels totally weighted on the back palate. The fruit intensity, coupled with powerful acidity and phenolic presence, fully penetrates beyond mere "flavor experience" and dives deep into the senses; the only option left is to ride that wave until it slowly fades. It's a persistent, sophisticated wine of latent power and patience. While this is released two years from harvest, it doesn't start to show its complex potential until around five years from harvest and far beyond that. It's slow to emerge and slow to age. This is a 100% Gingin clone Chardonnay, matured in French oak barriques, 52% new, for nine months, with seven months blended in tank prior to bottling. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. The 2023 Heytesbury Chardonnay hails from a pristine vintage in Margaret River. The season was on the cooler side of things but remained very dry and devoid of heat surges. Good weather at flowering meant yields were healthy, and from what I have seen so far, the season seems to have teased the very best from producers right across Western Australia, from all varieties. It truly was "one of those years."

DC97

Decanter

Complex on the nose, it engages and demands full attention. There’s the classic Heytesbury wild edges, wrapped around a firm classy core. Flint, citrus blossom, toasty perfumed oak, gentle spice, dried ginger, preserved lemon, dried thyme, pink grapefruit, curry leaf and oat biscuit. A little kefir lime in there for good measure. The palate is revelatory in its mouth-filling perfume, salty haze and pillowy core of fruit concentration. A filigree of layers, fine phenolics and detailed texture, sea spray acidity and a cushioning of oak to carry the fruit’s narrative. Delicious as it is, but will offer plenty for those that wait. Made from 100% Gingin clone, with 52% new French oak for nine months, followed by seven months in tank.

JS97

James Suckling

An intensely complex and inviting nose with aromas of lemon curd, grapefruit rind, orange blossoms and gunsmoke. The medium-bodied palate has a textural mouthfeel and vivid acidity, showing notes of lime zest, mandarin pith, fresh pineapple and cookies. Multidimensional and giving with an underlying tension. Exceptional. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

WS94

Wine Spectator

A swirl of caramel, wildflower honey and candied ginger adds complexity and depth to the vibrant core of fresh lemon, pear and apple flavors, with details of nutmeg, cardamom and wild fennel pollen on a sleek and juicy frame. Shows restraint on the finish. Drink now through 2037. 1,500 cases made, 60 cases imported.