Barry Weinman: 25th March 2026
Hot on the heels of the brilliant Cullen Kevin John and Pierro chardonnays from the 2024 vintage comes the trio of premium wines from Vasse Felix.
If you needed any further proof of the potential of the 2024 vintage for premium chardonnay in Margaret River, these three wines deliver that in spades.
Whilst the quality is the reason for this review, it is the contrasting styles between the three wines that are the most interesting part of the story. Same winery, same winemakers, same region, but each is a unique expression of high-quality chardonnay.
True to form, the Heytesbury is intense and powerful, with plenty of winemaking inputs on show, combined with an elegance and beauty to the wine that elevates this to the highest echelon of wines.
In contrast, the DHH1 retains the intensity of fruit, but here, the winemaking inputs have been stripped back, allowing the pristine, ripe fruit to stand in the spotlight. The biggest surprise for me was that this was 100% Gingin clone, as is the Heytesbury.
And sitting comfortably between these styles is the Premier chardonnay. Whilst this does not have the ultimate quality of the other two, it makes up for this by being absolutely delicious drinking
Reviewed
Vasse Felix – Heytesbury – Chardonnay – 2024. This is a seriously great wine. The intensity is something to behold, yet it remains lithe and elegant. Not exactly subtle, and nor should it be. The amalgam of fruit and complex winemaking inputs is a highlight, as the lees work and oak in no way interferes with the fruit. Curry leaf minerality, subtle struck match notes, flint and spice all swirl around the glass. The peach-like fruit is grapefruit tinged, adding energy and drive to the nose and palate. The length and persistence of flavours are quite extraordinary, as is the seamless palate transition. A magical wine and one of the best young Heytesburys that I can recall drinking.
100% Gingin clone fruit, wild ferment, 10 months in French oak (53% new), with a smattering of puncheons (15%) and the remainder smaller barriques. 80% of the wine went through malolactic fermentation, attenuating the natural acidity. 13.5% alc | 97 points | $140
Vasse Felix- DHH1 – Chardonnay – 2024. This has a lot more in common with the Premier than it does with the Heytesbury, but like the latter wine, the intensity has been turned up to 11. This intensity comes primarily from the spectacular fruit, with the winemaking components more subdued compared to the first wine. Interestingly, the fruit profile is more grapefruit than peach, and there are no tropical characters to be seen anywhere. What is most remarkable is how the acidity is a defining feature of the wine, yet does not impart any aggressiveness whatsoever. As good as it is now, it will be even better in 3–5 years. 100% Gingin clone, 100% malolactic fermentation, 11 months in one- to four-year-old oak. 13.5% alc | 96 points | $80
Vasse Felix – Premier – Chardonnay – 2024. A lovely wine that stylistically, straddles the middle ground perfectly. Not as intense or intrinsically powerful as the Heytesbury, powerful as the Heytesbury, but this is more than compensated for by an approachability and drinkability that is most attractive. The stone fruit characters are the primary feature, the winemaking taking a back seat on the palate. That said, the oak is clearly of high quality and very well handled, adding palate richness rather than overt flavours. Perfect for a sunny afternoon, catching up with friends and enjoying the simple things in life.
90% Gingin clone fruit, with a trio of Bernard clones making up the clonal mix. Wild ferment, 10 months on lees, 10 months in oak barriques (30% new). 13.5% alc | 95 points | $46