Winemaker Notes
The philosophy behind Vasse Felix Cabernet is to blend from various growers from sub-regions within the Margaret River Region to provide differences in terms of tannin structure, fruit profile and overall quality. When these sub-regions are blended we create a true Margaret River ‘Regional' style, and provide more consistency from year to year. The small portion of Merlot and Malbec help soften the tannin profile on the palate and give a perfumed floral lift to the nose.
A classic Cabernet nose, complex and integrated with spice, dried herbs, minerals and ripe blackberry fruits offering substantial support. The warm, dry vintage conditions are reflected in the ripe redcurrant and juicy blackberry fruits found on the palate. Dark orange chocolates and dried mint flecks, a signature trait of Willyabrup Cabernet shine through.
"The outstanding 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 3% Merlot, and 3% Shiraz) spent 18 months in two-thirds French and one-third a combination of American and Hungarian oak. An opaque purple color accompanies classic aromatics of asphalt, black currants, vanillin, flowers, underbrush, and new saddle leather. This seriously-endowed effort reveals supple tannin as well as a degree of accessibility, but it should age nicely for 10-12 years."- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
Professional Ratings
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Home to some of Australia’s most elegant and long-lived red and white wines, Margaret River is situated in the farthest reaches of Western Australia. Relatively warm and dry, the region is cooled by breezes from the Indian Ocean. Margaret River takes some inspiration from Bordeaux, producing top-quality Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux Blends with firm structure, mouthwatering acidity, balanced alcohol and notes of herbs and spice. For white wines, refreshing blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon as well as complex, age-worthy Chardonnays are regional specialties.