# Vasse Felix Syrah (2022)

- **Producer:** Vasse Felix
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah
- **Region:** Western Australia, Australia
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €37
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black pepper, black cherry, black plum

## About this wine

The Vasse Felix Syrah 2022 is a single-varietal Syrah from Margaret River, Western Australia. Vasse Felix, the region's founding winery established in 1967, is committed to quality and minimal intervention winemaking. The winery farms its vineyards using organic principles to express the unique terroir. The decision to label the wine 'Syrah' reflects a stylistic choice for a more elegant, refined, and savory profile, inspired by Northern Rhône wines. The 2022 vintage experienced a cool spring and a warm, dry summer, leading to a low-yield season with concentrated fruit of delicacy and elegance.

## Interesting facts

- Vasse Felix is the first winery ever established in Margaret River.
- The choice to label this wine 'Syrah' signals a stylistic preference for savory and elegant profiles.
- 35% of the Syrah underwent whole bunch fermentation, with some of that experiencing carbonic maceration.

## Food pairing

The wine's firm tannins and structure complement the protein in red meats and game, while its vibrant acidity cuts through richer dishes. Savory notes in the wine can echo or contrast with herbal elements and earthy flavors in the food, creating harmonious pairings.

## Wine making process

The Vasse Felix Syrah 2022 involves specific winemaking techniques designed to capture the grape's character. A portion of the fruit (35%) underwent whole bunch fermentation, with some of that experiencing carbonic maceration. The remaining fruit was fermented as whole berries without stems in stainless steel fermenters with open lids. This process utilized wild yeast and oxidative handling. Following fermentation, the wine was aged for 12 months in older French Oak Barriques (2-6 years old) and larger format French oak barrels (1000L).