Vasse Felix has a pretty good reputation, their cabernet sauvignon is one of my favourites. So when they come out with a Filus range and don’t change the labeling all that much, you become concerned that consumers will see the lesser quality cabernet sauvignon as their premium product. Maybe this is a little harsh, this is no means a bad cabernet sauvignon, it just feels funny they come out with a cheaper range. 

The 2016 is pretty much sold out, most of what I used for the tasting is what I had in my cellar, I have to admit, I stopped purchasing the Filus range. I would rather pay the premium price for the premium product. That’s not entirely true, there is a Heysbury range that is at a whole different level, that is more for special occasions and priced accordingly. So now Vasse Felix has wines at three different price points, but with pretty much the same labeling, so differentiation for the consumer may be a little difficult 

The 2016 Filus was matured in oak barriques, as this is their economy range, you can bet this is not new barriques. Or so I thought, when I checked the tasting notes I found this was 19% new oak and 81% barriques in the one to five year old range – I stand corrected. The 2016 was matured for 12 months so the oak flavour is pretty mild and is an 86% blend of cabernet sauvignon and 14% Malbec. 

Well known Western Australian wine critic rated this Cabernet sauvignon at 95 points, I am a little surprised but he knows his stuff. The tasting notes offer blackcurrant, I agree there and then they offer dark cherry – I see that too. They then use damp earth as a descriptor, that I am not so sure with cellar mingle, I don’t even know what that is with spicy complexity – I see that. For the price range, it isn’t a bad drink but as previously stated, I would prefer to pay a little more and step up into their next range.