2007 HEYTESBURY

winemaker harvested Wood bottled

REGION Margaret River GRAPE VARIETIES 72% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Malbec 13% Petit Verdot INTRODUCTION Vasse Felix, Margaret Rivers first winery, was founded in 1967 by Dr Tom Cullity with the simple goal of producing the best possible wine. Vasse Felixs owners, the Holmes Court family, have lent the name of their ancestral home to this wine to signify their commitment to maintaining Dr Cullitys goal to this day.
The 2007 Heytesbury is a barrel selection of the very finest parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot and is matured in French oak barriques for 18 months. It is made without compromise, and its production is strictly limited. 2007 marked a movement towards a Bordeaux style blend for the Heytesbury. Cabernet Sauvignon is complemented with small portions of the very best Malbec and Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon is a robust variety that consistently provides very high quality wines as a result of Margaret Rivers temperate ripening conditions and well drained soils. Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the more aromatic of red varieties and has a unique and wonderful structure. Malbec and Petit Verdot are also very structural wines and both compliment and reinforce the restrained power of Cabernet Sauvignon. Virginia Willcock March 2007 92 % New and 8% Older French oak 18 months January 2009

alcohol total acid Ph residual sugar

14.9 % 6.9 g/L 3.43 0.62 g/L

WINEMAKERS COMMENTS 2007 was a warm, compact and action packed vintage for Margaret River. Ripening of all varieties occurred up to two weeks earlier than previous years and, once the fruit started rolling in, it didnt stop. There was no distinguishable break between white and red varieties and a masterful juggling act was required to harvest fruit at the perfect time and have the fermentation space to accommodate it. With thorough planning, hard work and a great deal of stress, the Vasse Felix team managed a level of quality as close to perfection as possible. In 2007 each red variety reached full physiological ripeness and displayed a depth of aroma and a density of palate seen only in the best Margaret River vintages. As a result, the 2007 Heytesbury displays layer upon layer, of dark, brooding fruit with subtle nuances of herbs, cassis and classy dark chocolate oak. All batches included in the 2007 Heytesbury were vinified separately and were handled with fastidious love, care and attention. Following 18 months maturation in the finest French oak barriques, each batch underwent a rigorous appraisal process to identify the best performing barrels. Exhaustive trial blending followed, resulting in a wine of true quality and regional expression. The 2007 Heytesbury is a proud representation of our vineyards, people and practices. WINEMAKERS COMMENTS The 2007 Heytesbury is a deep, dark maroon in color with a black and purple hue. The aroma is fragrant and extremely complex with great concentration, leading with blackberry and blackcurrant fruit and hints of orange and cranberries. These classical Cabernet characters are perpetuated by an exotic mix of violets, jasmine, orange and spice, contributed by the Petit Verdot and Malbec, and a lashing of dark chocolate with feint hints of coffee and mocha. The palate is a powerhouse of cassis and dark berries hints of orange and exquisite cinnamon, complemented by chocolate and savoury spice donated by some wonderful French oak. This full bodied wine, whilst young and tight, shows lovely balance of fruit weight, fresh acidity and dry, intense back palate tannins. The 2007 Heytesbury will integrate and gain further complexity with cellaring and is a wine that will stand the true test of time.