A cool, high-humidity start to vintage meant we benefited greatly from precise canopy management to mitigate disease pressure and optimise sun exposure for the fruit. The success of this program enabled us to harvest ripe, clean fruit with slightly lower alcohol and great natural acidity. Mild conditions allowed for extended ripening, creating beautiful aromatics and fine ripe tannins in our reds. Marri Blossom was non-existent throughout the region in 2019, resulting in the largest netting program ever seen at Vasse Felix to protect the fruit from bird damage. Overall, a labour intensive vintage that resulted in beautiful quality fruit.

The individual batches were destemmed and sent as whole berries to stainless steel rotating fermenters for wild fermentation. The fruit experienced a few days of gentle soak before ferment kicked off. Open top and use of aeration during fermentation helped to promote a clean fruit perfume, soften the tannins and bring life to the wine. The resulting wine was pressed off to fine French oak for 11 months maturation prior to blending, limited racking helped to preserve the delicate wild characters captured in this low intervention approach.

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 8% Malbec