Vasse Felix were briefed in the seventies by Margaret River’s founding vigneron Dr Tom Cullity, to make the best possible wine. Heytesbury is a flagship regional Cabernet, the fruits of over thirty years of viticulture at Vasse Felix. Balance, elegance, complexity and restrained power are the hallmarks of Heytesbury, the direct result of an uncompromising approach to quality. Heytesbury embodies the Vasse Felix commitment to excellence, and as such is named after the Holmes à Court family company, to which Vasse Felix is the crowning jewel

Established in 1967, the Vasse Felix estate vineyard is planted at the heart of the Wilyabrup sub region, within the nucleus of premium Margaret River viticulture. Low yielding, dry grown vines planted on some of the world’s oldest soils enjoy long, warm growing seasons and cooling summer breezes from the nearby Indian and Southern Oceans. This moderating effect is responsible for grapes exhibiting exceptional concentration and intensity whilst retaining elegance and finesse. Parcels of ultra premium fruit are fermented separately in small, static fermenters to retain the unique characters of the site before being basket pressed and sent to the finest of French oak barriques.

An extraordinary wine of tension, energy and power. It’s the result of the earliest vintage on record at Vasse Felix, with the fruit being picked on 17 January. It’s a wine of power and generosity, yet the subtle secondary characters in here really do strike a complex note. It’s made predominantly from the Gingin clone and shows generosity, but typically lively acidity is there, and that wild fermentation adds richness and density. The aromas are a mix of brioche, subtle lemon curd, and cashew. But then there’s a bright minerality. The palate is almost lavish, yet it’s held tightly with that fine linear precision and crisp acidity. These wines have certainly become slightly more generous in recent years and allow the full expression of the Gingin clone from these distinct sites. It’s another outstanding wine. Dare I say it, but this could be the finest Heytesbury yet. Rating: 99 Points; Ray Jordan - The WA Wine Review 2026

Pale colour. Lovely pure grapefruit nectarine tonic water aromas with hints of marzipan. Supple and minerally with ample grapefruit, lemon curd, nectarine flavours, fine looseknit chalky textures, attractive mid palate richness, a touch of vanilla/ marzipan and underlying saline/ crunchy acidity. Super long and tangy at the finish, giving the wine freshness and mineral length. Will develop further with bottle age. A reference Margaret River Chardonnay. Maturation in French oak barriques (85%) and puncheons (15%). Roughly 53% new and 47% seasoned barrels for 10 months and a further 6months in tank. Drink now - 2040. Date: Apr 2026; Rating: 98 Points; Andrew Caillard MW - The Vintage Journal

On paper, the 2024 vintage hits a lot of firsts: it was the earliest on record (starting January 17) after the warmest and earliest spring in the winery’s history. In the glass, the vintage delivers one hell of a Chardonnay: rich, complex and yet finely balanced. It could balance on a pin such is the wine’s near perfect composition and keenly detailed acidity. At this very young stage of its evolution it brings forward deep, complex aromas honeyed and leesy rich with honeysuckle and citrus blossom, citrus and stone fruits with the odd hint of tropical fruit, alpine herbs and buttered biscuit. They gather on the palate, taut and powerful, crisp and utterly convincing. It’s early days but the excitement factor is already high. Flavours are enriched by saline notes, toasted nuts, lime peel and a sprinkling of ginger and herbs producing a wine evenly brisk paced and lightly creamy in texture. The stage is set for one exciting Heytesbury Chardonnay production. Date: Mar 2026; Rating: 98 Points; Jeni Port; Wine Pilot

The balance of fruit and tension is fantastic, with aromas of lemon confit, oatmeal, white mushrooms, crushed stones, jasmine, green melon and citrus blossoms. The palate is midweighted with a tightly woven texture, fine-boned acidity and a lovely phenolic grip intertwining oak and fruit. It’s generous, yet retains all the tension and salinity typical of Margaret River. Don’t be misled by the fruit concentration. There’s still freshness and minerality throughout. Excellent. Drink or hold. Date: Nov 2025; Rating: 97 Points; James Suckling