Vasse Felix - Chardonnay 2022 (750ml)

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Price: $50.99

3+ Price: $48.99 / btl

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12+ Price: $46.99 /btl

Producer	Vasse Felix
Country	Australia
Region	South West Australia
Subregion	Margaret River
Varietal	Chardonnay
Vintage	2022
Sku	108619
Size	750ml
ABV	13.00%

Vasse Felix Description

2022 Chardonnay
APPEARANCE
Pale straw with a green and golden tinge.
NOSE
A lovely waxy, green tea candle note lifts in the subtle white
peach, pear and green plum perfume, accompanied by complex
floral aromas of Jasmine and camomile and sexy hints of rock
flint and vanilla bean. More savoury complexity will develop
with time in the bottle.
PALATE
A lovely rich core framed by a delicate dry structure. The satin
palate features complex flavours of purified lemon, a hint of
ginger, custard and delicate peach, and finishes with a lovely
dry, chalky feel.
WINEMAKER COMMENTS
Rapid ripening through January following a delayed season
from spring conditions saw the flavours and sugars lift
quickly. Our Gingin clone fruit retained fantastic acidity which
suggested most plots desired completion of a natural MLF.
Some sections were hand-harvested, gently whole-bunch
pressed and transferred to French oak barriques as unclarified
juice for fermentation. The balance were Selectiv harvested
and direct pressed with very high solids juice racked to barrel.
All batches were fermented with natural yeasts from the
vineyard. Each batch was left on lees in barrel for 8 months of
maturation with an additional 6 months blended in the cellar
for harmonisation before being bottled. Only Premier Cru
Chardonnay sections were selected which included 84% Gingin
clone and 16% Bernard clones 95, 96 and 76. Our Wallcliffe
vineyard plots dominated in this rapid ripening year, however
fantastic Premier sections from Wilyabrup also made the grade,
alongside portions from our Carbanup and Karridale vineyards.
VINTAGE DESCRIPTION
A cool, winter-like spring saw vine growth delayed in
development. Rainfall in October was significant. A dry and
warm summer, with sustained warmth day and night through
December, January and February, possibly influenced by
another La Niña season, saw a rapid ripening period for all
white varieties, with all vineyards harvested in little over a
month. Fruit quality was excellent with surprising delicacy
and elegance. A low yielding vintage, primarily due to spring
conditions over the past two years. Warm and rapid veraison
for whites in January was ideal and saw the Chardonnay’s
desirable ripe flavours pronounce themselves quickly. Vine
health remained fantastic, with fruit quality high and flavours
concentrated.
VARIETIES
100% Chardonnay
HARVESTED
17 February - 9 March 2022
PRESSING
Hand harvested, chilled, whole bunches pressed
Selectiv harvested, direct pressed
JUICE TURBIDITY
Full solids direct from whole bunch pressing
(average 623 NTU)
FERMENTATION
100% wild yeast
FERMENTATION VESSEL
French oak barrique
MATURATION
French oak barrique
44% new, 56% 1-3 year old (includes 26% 1 year old Mercurey)
14 months; 8 months in oak, 6 months blended in tank
BOTTLED 19 May 2023
TA 6.5g/L PH 3.17
MALIC ACID 0.66g/L (70% MLF complete)
RESIDUAL SUGAR 1.0g/L
ALCOHOL 13.0%
VEGAN FRIENDLY Yes
CELLARING Enjoy now fresh, 5+ years for complex, aged
Chardonnay
The quintessential Margaret River Chardonnay, made from a selection of
Vasse Felix’s premier plots of powerful Chardonnay. Made in the modern
Margaret River style of elegance, power and restraint, with the wild complexity
which distinguishes Vasse Felix Chardonnay.