2021 Vasse Felix Premier Chardonnay
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 building one of Australia's most respected and consistent portfolios across both red and white. The Premier Chardonnay sits at the heart of that portfolio: a wine of genuine precision and elegance that showcases exactly what Margaret River Chardonnay does best.
Bright pale gold in the glass, with an inviting and expressive nose. Lemon, pink grapefruit, and white nectarine lead, with lemon thyme, a delicate floral lift, and subtle spice adding complexity. On the palate, the wine is tight and linear — a hallmark of the 2021 vintage — with tangy, focused acidity driving the fruit from entry through to a clean, precise finish. A smidge of texture from judicious oak integration adds weight without heaviness, and the wine builds beautifully in the glass, revealing layers of white stone fruit and spice that make it genuinely moreish. Precise, satisfying, and very complete.
Medium-bodied with citrus, stone fruit, and subtle oak spice. Fine acidity and a clean, linear finish define the style. Drinking beautifully now and will continue to develop over the next 3–5 years. Serve at 10–12°C. No decanting required, though 15–20 minutes in the glass will allow the wine to fully open up.
A natural partner to fresh seafood — grilled prawns, crab linguine, and seared scallops are outstanding matches. Also excellent with salmon with lemon butter, roast chicken with tarragon, and creamy pasta dishes. The wine's citrus-driven precision and fine acidity make it a versatile and reliable food wine across a wide range of occasions.
At HK$239, the Vasse Felix Premier Chardonnay delivers Margaret River Chardonnay precision and elegance from Australia's founding estate at a price that makes it an outstanding everyday premium option. This is a wine that sits comfortably above its price point in terms of quality and character — and the Vasse Felix name carries genuine prestige that makes it as impressive to serve as it is to drink.
- 2024 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay — 95pts James Suckling; a more structured Adelaide Hills Chardonnay with flint, struck match, and serious critical backing
- 2024 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay — the approachable entry point into the Leeuwin Estate range; generous stone fruit and fine acidity from Margaret River's most iconic estate
- 2024 Craggy Range Kidnappers Chardonnay — a fresh, fruit-driven New Zealand Chardonnay with stone fruit and fine acidity; a more approachable style at a great price
Life's too short for bad wine.
