2009 Vasse Felix "Heytesbury" Bordeaux Blend Margaret River Western Australia

SKU #1115381 94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Blended of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec and matured in French oak barriques for 18 months, the 2009 Heytesbury displays a very deep garnet-purple color and gives pronounced notes of creme de cassis, black cherry compote, warm red plums and macerated blackberries over lavender, Provence herbs, anise, black pepper and cinnamon stick plus a whiff of cedar. Well structured with crisp acid and a firm level of finely grained tannins, it fills the mouth with primary berry and spice flavors at this youthful stage, finishing long and peppery. Consider drinking this 2013 to 2024+.

92 points Wine & Spirits

This is Vasse Felix's top red from its estate vineyards, a blend of old-vine cabernet from Wilyabrup, malbec from Tom Cullity’s first plantings in 1967 and petit verdot. Bold, savory and spicy, this has a forest berry scent along with eucalyptus and dark wood (think mahogany); it saturates the mouth in cool, oceanic fruit flavor that lasts in a tight finish. A Margaret River classic. (10/ 2012)

91 points Wine Spectator

Supple and focused, with a core of focused currant and blackberry fruit shaded with smoke, tobacco and blood sausage notes, lingering effectively against refined tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Drink now through 2019. 20 cases imported. –HS

K&L Notes

Vasse Feliz has produced the "Heytesbury" - their flagship red - since 1995, but it represents a tiny 1% of their total production. This is because only the very best fruit from the very best and oldest parcels are used. The lots are vinified separately and aged in French oak barriques before blending. The cuvee is based on Cabernet Sauvignon from the original Vasse Felix estate vineyard, Wilyabrup, which was first planted in 1967 by Dr Tom Cullity. Its gravelly loam and clay soils yield Cabernet with structure and power. Added to this are aromatic Petite Verdot, and plump Malbec also from original plantings. This is quintessential Margaret River, with floral and earth spice highlights to its core of red and black fruits, elegant tannin structure, and focused finish. Winemaker's Notes: "The nose is deep, concentrated and packed full of blackcurrant and mulberry aromas, with fine layers of violets, lavendar, aniseed, tobacco leaf and graphite. The palate shows a sensational structure that is comet-like in its profile. A ball of voluminous, sweet, dark fruit and intense tightly-wound acidity with textural tannins punctuates the entry, and continues with a long, fine, tail brimming with tangy red berries, dried sage, cedar and ultra-fine tannins."