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  • Country ranking ?

    171
  • Producer ranking ?

    7
  • Decanting time

    1.5h
  • When to drink

    2022-2035
  • Food Pairing

    Tournedos Rossini, Aged hard cheeses & Grilled venison

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

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The Story

An icon wine of Vasse Felix, which was re-launched under Tom Cullity brand from 2013 vintage onwards. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec from the best vineyards sites from Margaret River.

Margaret River's founding wine estate, was established by Dr Thomas Brendan Cullity in 1967. Among his first plantings were Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec vines, from which he produced the estate’s first red wine.

From 2013 onwards Heytesbury brand is dedicated to the white icon wine of Vasse Felix.

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Vintage 2012

Lower-than-average yields in Australia, as across much of Europe. This was blamed on high winds, drought and low fruitfulness resulting from the poor 2011 vintage. Quality, however, was much better than in the exceptionally damp 2011, with South Australia avoiding some of the weather extremes experienced by other states. Strong varietal typicality is a commonly cited feature of the 2012 crop.

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Latest Pro-tasting notes

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Written Notes

Established 1967, the Vasse Felix property is planted at the heart of Wilyabrup, within the nucleus of premium Margaret River viticulture. Low yielding, dry grown vines planted on some of the world's oldest soils enjoy long, warm growing seasons and cooling summer breezes from the nearby Indian and Southern Oceans. This moderating effect yields grapes of exceptional concentration and intensity, whilst retaining elegance and finesse. Heytesbury is a selection of the best barrels from the best batches. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot are separately treated to small fermenters, before being basket pressed and sent to a selection of the finest French oak barriques for eighteen months. Alcohol 14.5%

  • 90p

Harvest timing is critical to ensure flavour and tannin ripeness is perfectly balanced. The elegant fruit and savoury elements bring the most sophisticated wines that have a strong sense of place. Only when it is perfect does that parcel make it to Heytesbury. Natural and careful handling in the cellar is required while on skins to ensure preservation of fruit, individual character and perfect extraction of the finest tannins. Drained from fermenter straight to our best French oak it remains here for 18 months before the best barrels are selected for Heytesbury.

Bright maroon with a purple hue. Nose Fresh fragrant black, red and blue berries, floral violet notes, cherry pip and pie crust meld with the earthy savoury tones of gravel stones, damp forest and a cedar steam nuance. Palate Luscious dark berries stolen from the forest explode with a taught but voluptuous sensation. The fruit is sweet and fine but the structure is long and powerful. It has super fine tannins, fresh acid and a significant, delicious and unique memory remaining.

Good finishing winter rains with moderate spring conditions resulted in excellent canopy health. The summer ripening period was warm and dry with some above average heat in late January prompting an early start to harvest. The weather tempered in early February and the fruit ripening slowed to a more typical pattern resulting in a long and steady vintage. Continuous fine weather remained through to 11 April when harvest was complete for these beautiful red parcels.

Bright maroon with a purple hue. Fresh fragrant black, red and blue berries, floral violet notes, cherry pip and pie crust meld with the earthy savoury tones of gravel stones, damp forest and a cedar steam nuance. Luscious dark berries stolen from the forest explode with a taught but voluptuous sensation. The fruit is sweet and fine but the structure is long and powerful. It has super fine tannins, fresh acid and a delicious and unique memory remaining.
77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot
2012 was not just another exceptional season, but also a year of significant evolution for red winemaking at Vasse Felix, with the adoption of 100% natural yeast fermentation in our top red wines. Good finishing winter rains with moderate spring conditions resulted in excellent canopy health. The summer ripening period was warm and dry with some above average heat in late January prompting an early start to harvest. The weather tempered in early February and the fruit ripening slowed to a more typical pattern resulting in a long and steady vintage. Classic in style, this barrel selection of the best Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot from the vintage takes Heytesbury to a whole new level.

  • 97p
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Information

Origin

Wilyabrup, Margaret River

Drinking temperature

17-18C

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