Of the Vasse Felix wines, this is by far my favourite, the Cabernet Sauvignon is well suited to Margaret River in the South West of Australia. Vasse Felix was established in 1967 with the first Cabernet Sauvignon available in 1972.

The 2017 cabernet is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon [93%] with 3.5% Malbec and 3.5% Petit Verdot to round it out. Aged for 18 months in French oak barriques, this Wilyabrup is pretty well balanced and smooth. Apparently, 2017 was a cooler summer but I really can’t recall, but this led to a later vintage as the fruit took a little longer to ripen. As has been reported, the March was drier than normal so the reds ripened without incidence. According to some reviewer notes, this 2017 vintage is drinking now right through to 2035. With an alcohol content of 14.5% it is likely this red has the legs to last the 18 odd years. I have been drinking some already, I want to leave for another 5 or so years, but this takes some discipline that maybe I don’t possess.