Vasse Felix Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Grape Varieties: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon 8% Shiraz 5% Malbec Comments: Following on from the legendary 1995 and 1996 vintages this wine lives up to its predecessors with aplomb. The 1996 was voted in the top 20 Australian Cabernets by Wine magazine, Winestate magazine and Winewise magazine. It also won 1 gold medal and 3 silver medals in the national wine shows. The 1997 vintage also won silver in its first showing at the 1998 Melbourne show. The refinement of Vasse Felix Cabernet in recent vintages has come from viticultural factors such as; vine age (30 years old), vine site (Margaret River and Mount Barker), fruit ripeness (picking when flavour ripe) and open canopy management. Refinement has also been due to winemaking factors such as barrel fermentation, long skin maceration, tannin management and the use of the best French oak barrels. Tasting: A very dark inky colour promises a deep rich wine. Unmistakably varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has aromas of dark chocolates, dusty briary fruits and hints of leather. The palate shows powerful Cabernet fruit entwined with classy French oak and firm tannins giving the wine an enduring finish. Cellaring: Another paradoxical wine with sweet fruited and firm tannins, which allows current consumption but also the structure to age for up to 15 years.