2024 Vasse Felix Filius Shiraz, Margaret River

So aromatic, full of pepper, pimento and a touch of clove. Florals, too. Very appealing. It’s a generous style of juicy fruit, all plums and blackcurrants, concentrated and rich, with plentiful, firm tannins and bright acidity to close. Just a touch raw, although in time, or with food, that will disappear. All things considered, including the price, this is terrific. Drink 2026 to 2034.

93 points Jane Faulkner for Halliday Wine Companion (Special Value), May 2026

Vasse Felix was established by Margaret River pioneer Dr Thomas Brendan Cullity in 1967 and is the region’s founding wine estate, today guided by the Holmes à Court family. One of Australia's most awarded winemakers, Virginia Willcock, has led the wine program since 2006, almost as long as her counterpart in the vineyards, Chief Viticulturist Bart Molony.

The Filius wines are crafted with minimal intervention to be natural expressions of a variety and the region. The Shiraz is a regional blend but with a focus on the cooler southern part of Margaret River.

Spring arrived early ahead of the 2024 season and with sustained warmth throughout the summer this became a fast-paced race with varieties ripening simultaneously.  While red yields were slightly lower, vine health remained excellent and the fruit quality was beyond expectations.

Wild fermented in stainless steel with a tiny inclusion of whole bunches. Matured in a mix of well-seasoned French oak barriques and large oak vats for 14 months.

The perfumed and immediate aromas are a mix of red and dark fruit with spicy pepper and clove notes. The plush fruit notes flow onto the palate that is juicy and rich, with the finish supported by refreshing tannins.

An early drinking style that can also be kept for a few more years to reveal a more mellow side. Enjoy with stir-fried beef with spring onions and oyster sauce, charcoal-blistered twice-cooked daikon glazed with red miso.