A Margaret River Icon from One of Australia's Most Celebrated Estates

My Wine Man on Vasse Felix

Vasse Felix holds a singular place in Australian wine history — it was the very first winery established in Margaret River, founded in 1967 by Dr Tom Cullity. Over five decades on, the estate remains a benchmark producer, consistently crafting wines that express the unique maritime terroir of this remarkable corner of Western Australia. Under the stewardship of the Holmes à Court family and chief winemaker Virginia Willcock, Vasse Felix has never chased trends — instead, it has quietly and confidently built one of Australia's most respected portfolios. The Cane Cut Semillon is a labour of love: a painstaking, low-yield dessert wine that demands patience from both the winemaker and the vine. Each fruiting cane is detached from the vine and the bunches left to dry and concentrate on the vine, producing fruit of exceptional intensity and natural sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Brilliant golden in the glass, this Cane Cut Semillon opens with bright lime marmalade and preserved citrus peel, layered with delicate lemongrass and a whisper of honeysuckle. On the palate, the concentration is striking — rich and luscious, yet never cloying. A driving natural acidity cuts through the sweetness with precision, carrying the wine to a long, mouth-watering finish with a fine, drying texture that lingers beautifully.

Style & Drinking Window

Medium-bodied with a silky, concentrated texture and vibrant acidity that keeps everything in perfect balance. Drinking beautifully now, this wine will continue to evolve and reward cellaring through to 2030 and beyond. Serve lightly chilled at 8–10°C. No decanting required — simply pour and savour.

Food Pairing

The bright lime marmalade and citrus precision of the 2017 Vasse Felix Cane Cut Semillon make it a beautiful match for Australian Great Ocean Road Dairy Vintage Cheese from My Meat Man. The wine's driving acidity cuts beautifully through the sharp, tangy character of vintage cheddar — whether served as a cheese course with honeycomb and quince paste, paired with crusty bread and ripe pear, or melted into a savoury cheese tart with caramelised onions and thyme. Also exceptional with fresh fruit tarts, crème brûlée, lemon curd desserts, or pan-seared foie gras.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$99, this is an extraordinary entry point into the world of premium Australian dessert wine. The Cane Cut method — each fruiting cane detached and bunches left to dry on the vine — is an intensive, low-yield process that produces wines of genuine complexity and depth. Vasse Felix's Cane Cut Semillon regularly retails for significantly more at cellar door and through fine wine retailers globally. A bottle that punches well above its price tag and makes a stunning gift or dinner party centrepiece.

Looking for a Different Style?

2017 De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 375ml — Australia's most iconic Botrytis Semillon; richer, more opulent, and honeyed.
2012 Château Suduiraut Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes 375ml — a classic Bordeaux-style dessert wine with apricot, vanilla, and Premier Cru pedigree.
De Bortoli Black Noble 500ml — Best Fortified Worldwide 2015; an extended-aged Botrytis Semillon with the depth of a fortified.