Wine Review – 2018 Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon

Bottle Presentation

Clean and classy. We like the eagle, which gives the bottle a touch of flare. We also appreciate the choice of font.

Appearance

Medium ruby.

Nose

Clean, medium intensity nose, with notes of blackcurrant, blueberry, blackberry, mint, ink, menthol, anise, graphite, violets, charred wood, cedar, Christmas spice (cinnamon, cloves), hickory, and cut grass. We would consider this a youthful wine.

Palate

Dry; full-bodied; medium(+) acidity; grippy, noticeable, dirty, medium(+) tannins; and high alcohol. The wine had medium(+) flavour intensity with notes of black fruit (cherry, plums, blackcurrant, blackberry), cedar, wet wood, cassis, savoury spice, blackcurrant leaf, and dried herbs.

Finish

Long.

Overall Impressions

This 2018 Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon had very good balance and complexity with its array of aromas and flavours. It also offered respectable intensity, as well as an enduring finish. Given these attributes, we would say the wine is at the high end of good.

We tried the wine with our favourite Montreal steak spice-flavoured filet mignons. While it could handle the steaks relatively well, it actually paired better with the grilled zucchini. Go figure.

As this wine remains youthful, there is room for it to develop more tertiary notes (e.g., fig, prunes, balsamic vinegar). So, although you can drink it now, it will probably improve in three years or so.

Ratings

Overall Rating: 89/100. We wouldn’t be surprised to see it improve over time.

E-Wine rating: 3/5. We would purchase a couple of bottles of 2018 Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon: one to enjoy now and another to enjoy in three years or so.

Value: 4/5. Very good value.