2003 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Dry Red

A very impressive blend, made form Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz and Merlot.  The wine has been matured for 18 months in French oak barriques.  Very deep crimson colour with deep crimson mauve hue, showing excellent depth.  Perfumed nose, with violet top notes followed by blackcurrant, spice, confectionary and cedar.  The palate delivers a refined structure, with real elegance – the sort of style that has given MargaretRiver its Cabernet reputation.  Flavours of confectionary, spice, blackcurrant and cedar emerge.  Fine grained tannins.  Perfect balance with very long aftertaste of confectionary, plum and blackcurrant.
Cellar 4-5 years (2010-2011)
Alc/Vol: 14.5%

Other Reviews….
I was blown away by the 2003 Heytesbury Red Blend, a combination of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Shiraz, and 9% Malbec aged 18 months in three-quarters French and one-quarter American oak. One of the finest reds I have tasted from Western Australia, it reveals a deep purple color in addition to a beautiful perfume of camphor, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, cedar, smoke, and background barbecue spices. Dense, rich, and full as well as elegant, pure, and sensationally well-balanced, it can be enjoyed over the next 10-12+ years.
95 points.
Robert Parker
Wine Advocate #168 (Dec 2006)

Medium- to full-bodied; very good balance and structure; a complex array of black and red fruits; positive oak and ripe tannins.
Rating 95
Drink 2023
"James Halliday - 2007 Australian Wine Companion"