VASSE FELIX ‘FILIUS’ CHARDONNAY 2024

The region of Margaret River and Vasse Felix are world renowned for their Chardonnay (their top offering Heytesbury Chardonay has been awarded 99/100 and Australia's Best White Wine by James Halliday).

This Filius offering is made with the same DNA and winemaking expertise as the Heytesbury, albeit with parcels of estate grown fruit that have been identified for bringing freshness and elegance. That is not to say the wine lacks concentration, rather it is a drink now proposition that overdelivers in every way.

There is a wonderful purity of fruit that shines in the glass, expressing all the beauty Margaret River has to offer; a warm maritime climate where you can smell the salty, sea breeze. On the palate this has everything a good Chardonnay should have but in a relaxed, uncomplicated style that is very easy to drink. Wonderful Value!

Winery notes (2024 Vintage)
"‘A contemporary house style with versatile drinkability. A vibrant, modern Chardonnay with pure fruit, wild complexities and mouth-watering natural acidity. An earlier drinking style with alluring savoury nuances from Vasse Felix’s quality-led, minimal intervention winemaking approach.

A harmonious bouquet unfolds with fragrant citrus blossom, white nectarine, preserved lemon, jasmine, pineapple, lightly roasted cashew nut, wheatgerm and a subtle flinty undertone. Incredibly fresh and vibrant, with lifted saline mineral tones and balanced acidity creating a mouthwatering sensation. The palate is long, fine, and elegant, filling the entire mouth while seamlessly flowing to a light, dry finish with a delicate chalky texture.

Parcels of Filius Chardonnay are typically lighter in body and fruit weight, derived from multiple clones and sites that naturally produce elegant, lighter fruit flavours. These parcels benefit from judicious oak handling and lighter solids during fermentation, resulting in a delicately balanced, complex, and fine Chardonnay with a clean, bright palate. The distinctive fruit from these vineyard patches bring finesse and harmony to this wine. Each parcel was handled with respect for the unique qualities of our vineyard sites, undergoing natural fermentation with varying solids levels, and tailored fine French oak and bâtonnage programs. Three large-format foudres were included, preserving vibrant fruit character, enabling unique development, and allowing for low sulphur use. After 7.5 months maturation in oak, the parcels were combined to create a typical Vasse Felix Chardonnay from Margaret River; vibrant, elegant and complex. This vintage exhibits lower acidity, offering a fresh, super pleasant and well-preserved expression."

91/100 Jane Faulkner, James Halliday's Wine Companion, April 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"Even in warmer vintages, there’s still restraint with Vasse Felix wines. Filius has some fleshy stone fruit in the mix but also requisite citrus, ginger spice and some struck match. No new oak here, so this is a vibrant representation of fruit, although there’s a lick of lees and, thus, a savouriness throughout. Yup. Very appealing."