2022 Idee Fixe Premium Brut, Margaret River

Idée Fixe. Noun, [ee-dey feeks], French. A fixed idea. Obsession.

Making méthode traditionnelle wines has been a quiet obsession of Vasse Felix for decades. This fixation led to the serendipitous discovery of a mysterious clone of Chardonnay, grown in the deep south of Margaret River, where the calcareous soils overlay limestone and the Southern Ocean brings persistent cloud and biting cold winds.

A light, elegant form is revealed in the fine, even bead and the brilliant pale yellow hue. The delicate mousse is enhanced by the harmonious structural balance of phenolics and minerality, creating an enticing palate with a citrus-infused acidity, layers of captivating freshness and textural finesse. A wine of depth and savoury complexity evolves in the glass over time. Lifted nuances of struck match and wet stone lead into wisps of freshly shucked oysters and ocean mist. Amidst this coastal symphony, tempting notes of yellow plum, Granny Smith apple pie and almond blossom emerge above hints of Allspice biscuit and sourdough. The sea foam mousse dances gracefully along the palate to unfurl a powerful, spacious finish.