2023 Vasse Felix Filius Shiraz, Margaret River

Great value, even greater wine. It offers squishy blue-black plums and blackberries, doused in pepper and baking spices with some dried Aussie bush mint and ironstone. Mid-weight, shapely tannins and a vibrancy to the acidity make this tip-top today and better with time.

94 points Special Value Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

Vasse Felix Filius Shiraz from Margaret River is a vibrant, medium-bodied red that showcases the region’s refined take on the Shiraz grape—elegant, savoury, and brimming with cool-climate spice. Coming from the iconic Vasse Felix estate, Margaret River’s founding winery established in 1967, Filius Shiraz offers incredible value while capturing the estate’s focus on balance, site expression, and finesse.

The name "Filius," meaning "son of" in Latin, reflects the wine’s lineage—crafted with the same attention to detail as Vasse Felix’s premium reds, but in a more approachable, early-drinking style. Sourced from estate vineyards planted on ancient gravel-loam soils near the ocean, the fruit benefits from cooling breezes that preserve acidity and build aromatics. The wine is fermented in open vats with gentle plunging, and matured in older French oak to support, not dominate, the fruit.

In the glass, it offers lifted aromas of black cherry, mulberry, cracked pepper, bay leaf, and earthy spice. The palate is juicy and savoury, with medium weight, silky tannins, and a hint of dark chocolate and graphite on the finish. It’s structured without being heavy—a wine built for food and for sharing.

Perfect with grilled lamb, chargrilled vegetables, or mushroom ragu, Vasse Felix Filius Shiraz is a modern, cool-climate Australian Shiraz that delivers both character and value.