By James Atkinson
Celebrated Chardonnay producer Vasse Felix has announced the addition of the 'Premier' Chardonnay to its portfolio.
The Premier Chardonnay brings with it some refinements to the Vasse Felix range, which can now be navigated through three clear tiers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines; through its ‘Icon’, ‘Premier’ and ‘Filius’ wines. The ‘Classics’ label remains specific to the Australian market.
Chief winemaker Virginia Willcock said the new Premier Chardonnay shows the ultimate expression of the variety in Margaret River, embracing the region's powerful fruit with complexity, restraint and elegance.
Sitting above it in the Icon tier, the Heytesbury Chardonnay "has that striking x-factor we look for in the fruit parcels – that sort of lamb fat, struck match character that is now so distinct to the wine", she said.
"‘Filius’ then offers the perfect introduction to our region’s Chardonnay in the fruit-prominent, yet still refined manner so many of our collectors have grown to love over the years," said Willcock.
"I finally feel like our Chardonnay offering at Vasse Felix is complete. These three distinct wines created from the 2013 vintage are the ultimate example of the future we envisage for this great variety in Margaret River."
Distributed by Samuel Smith and Son, the new wines launch in Australia in August.