Pale straw and a green hue at release. Delightful aromas of white peach, nectarines, melon, pineapple join subtle hints of savoury cashew and spice. Fresh flavours of stone fruit combine with a touch of tropical pineapple, cashews and an underlying creaminess from extended lees stirring to deliver a mouth-filling and enjoyable wine. The wine has a clean elegant palate and long persistence.

The wine has fresh, lifted aromas of yellow peach, along with some subtle tropical fruit characters and a touch of citrus. This wine is mouth-filling whilst still having a light and delicate texture. The mid palate is of medium weight with fleshy yellow peach, subtle pineapple and citrus flavours. There is a refreshing, tight acidity and a lovely clean finish.

At release, straw with a green tinge to the hue. The wine has a fresh, lifted aromas of white peach and subtle cashew nut aromas from the oak adding complexity to the fruit characters. The palate has a rich texture whilst still retaining a slightly minerally acid backbone, giving it an overall elegance. The mid palate is medium-bodied with a touch of creaminess from the lees maturation and battonage. Flavours of white peach, cream and cashews are evident along with cleansing citrus at the finish. The wine has wonderful length from the use of quality French oak. Designated to drink superbly well upon release, it will also age gracefully with careful cellaring to 2015, possibly longer.

Rich Chardonnay and white nectarine stone fruit characters on the nose and throughout the entire palate, with an underlying savoury lift from subtle oak usage. The solids addition and higher fermentation temperature have added texture and an almost French style "flintiness" to the wine, making it more complex and interesting. No malolactic fermentation has ensured a balanced and tight wine style with lingering fresh acidity that promises to age well.

Vasse Felix produces a complex, softly textured chardonnay through the selection of premium parcels of fruit and partial wild yeast fermentation in French Oak barriques. The final blend is distinct, elegant in style and true to Margaret River. It can be enjoyed in its youth, but will develop richness and texture with short to medium term cellaring.

"The ultra-cool 2006 season yielded top chardonnays in Margaret River. A restrained, intense, finely structured wine, it has understated oak and beautifully refined fruit. Complex, and all components are in harmony."

[HUON HOOKE, GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE, 100 TOP NEW RELEASE WINES, OCT/NOV 08]