August 3, 2024


A masterclass in New World Chardonnay: Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay

A masterclass in New World Chardonnay: Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay

"Singing with a superb purity. Great refinement, intensity, line and length... A stunning Chardonnay." Real Review

The Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2020 is a stellar example of modern Australian winemaking, hailing from the renowned Margaret River region. Founded in 1967 by Dr. Thomas Cullity, Vasse Felix is the first and one of the most esteemed wineries in Margaret River, a region now celebrated as one of the world's premier wine-growing areas. The Heytesbury Chardonnay is Vasse Felix's flagship white, and we are delighted to offer the outstanding 2020 vintage.

The 2020 rendition of Heytesbury Chardonnay benefited from an excellent growing season, resulting in grapes with perfect balance, natural acidity, and concentrated flavours. It exhibits a refined bouquet of citrus and stone fruits, complemented by subtle notes of oak and minerality. On the palate, it is rich and layered, with a creamy texture beautifully offset by a crisp, clean finish.

This vintage has garnered high praise from critics. Erin Larkin of the Wine Advocate scored it 97 points, describing it as "Brilliant, as usual," while the Real Review awarded it 98 points, calling it "A stunning Chardonnay" with "superb purity, great refinement, intensity, line, and length." The 2020 Heytesbury Chardonnay also possesses incredible tension, often lacking in other Australian Chardonnays.

Erin Larkin further notes, "This is a brilliant wine that I tend to prefer in warmer vintages. The increased phenolic texture of the warmer years suits the funky, complex, and textural style of the wine and delivers a distinctly balanced drinking experience early on in its life."

The wine drinks beautifully right now but will reward those who cellar it for another decade. We've been long-standing fans and coming in at a reasonable price, it hits the sweet spot.


Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2020 (6x75cl) 


Add to your wine cellar

98 Points | Real Wine Review, Huon Hooke

Bright mid-yellow colour, with an exuberant bouquet of grapefruit, cashew nuts and a faint smoky patina, the palate likewise flavoured and singing with a superb purity. Great refinement, intensity, line and length. A finesse wine, the grapefruit flavour so concentrated it gives an impression of sweetness—which of course it has none. A stunning chardonnay.

 

97 Points | Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin

This is a brilliant wine that I "tend" to prefer in warmer vintages. The increased phenolic texture of the warmer years suits the funky, complex and textural style of the wine and delivers a distinctly balanced drinking experience early on in its life. So, to the 2020 Heytesbury Chardonnay: there are notes of fresh curry leaf, preserved lemon, wild beach air, white shiso, enoki, Granny Smith apples, grilled peach and pink grapefruit. In the mouth, the wine shows polish and poise amid the tannic framework, and the juicy acidity that pulses in the background imbues the wine with life and beat. Brilliant, as usual.

 

See all available wines and vintages from Vasse Felix.