2024 Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay, Margaret River

Even in warmer vintages, there’s still restraint with Vasse Felix wines. Filius has some fleshy stone fruit in the mix but also requisite citrus, ginger spice and some struck match. No new oak here, so this is a vibrant representation of fruit, although there’s a lick of lees and, thus, a savouriness throughout. Yup. Very appealing.

91 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay from Margaret River is a stylish and superbly crafted entry into the region’s classic Chardonnay expression. Made by one of Margaret River’s founding wineries, this wine reflects Vasse Felix’s house style: focused, textural, and beautifully balanced. Filius — Latin for “son of” — is the younger sibling to the estate and Heytesbury Chardonnays, offering a more approachable take while still showcasing the complexity, minerality and finesse that define the winery's reputation.

Sourced from a range of vineyard sites across the Wilyabrup and Wallcliffe subregions, the grapes are hand picked, whole-bunch pressed, and fermented with wild yeasts in French oak barriques, a portion of which are new. The wine undergoes partial malolactic fermentation and is matured on lees with bâtonnage, enhancing mouthfeel and complexity without overwhelming freshness.

On the nose, it offers lemon zest, nectarine, struck match, grilled cashew and flinty minerality. The palate is medium bodied, with a core of citrus and stone fruit framed by subtle oak, creamy lees and a tightly coiled acid line. The finish is long, savoury and saline, with just the right amount of richness to keep things grounded.

Food pairing: ideal with roast chicken, grilled scallops, lemon-butter prawns, or mushroom risotto. Also lovely with mild washed rind cheeses or a creamy pasta with herbs.

Cellar potential: drinking well now, but will evolve over 5 to 8 years, gaining nutty complexity and deeper texture.