2024 Idée Fixe Premier Brut Blanc de Blanc - 96 Points James Suckling

96 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING! MARGARET RIVER'S EXTRAORDINARY BLANC DE BLANCS – 100% CHARDONNAY, OVER 21 MONTHS ON LEES AND JUST $60!

96 Points – JamesSuckling.com

2024 Idée Fixe Premier Brut Blanc de Blancs – Margaret River, Western Australia

RRP $60 per bottle

Now this is something seriously exciting!

For decades, Margaret River has been producing some of Australia's greatest Chardonnays.

Wines of extraordinary purity.

Beautiful concentration.

Wonderful mineral precision.

And a level of sophistication that has earned the region an international reputation.

But what happens when you take exceptional Margaret River Chardonnay and dedicate an entire winery to producing world-class sparkling wine?

YOU GET IDÉE FIXE!

And the 2024 Premier Brut Blanc de Blancs is an outstanding example of why this project has become so exciting.

Think fresh lemon zest.

Crunchy Granny Smith apple.

White peach.

Yellow plum.

Orange blossom.

Freshly baked brioche.

Almond cake.

And an extraordinary oyster-shell minerality.

All wrapped together in a beautifully fine mousse, with impressive texture, vibrant acidity and a wonderfully long, saline finish.

100% CHARDONNAY.

HANDPICKED FRUIT FROM KARRIDALE.

TRADITIONAL BOTTLE FERMENTATION.

OVER 21 MONTHS ON LEES.

15% FRENCH OAK.

JUST 5.2 GRAMS PER LITRE DOSAGE.

AND ONLY $60 A BOTTLE!

This is the sort of Australian sparkling wine that makes us genuinely excited at Liquid Vibe.

Idée Fixe – The Remarkable Sparkling Wine Project from Vasse Felix

Idée Fixe is one of the most fascinating developments in Australian sparkling wine.

The project comes from the team behind Vasse Felix, one of Margaret River's most respected wine estates.

Vasse Felix has been producing exceptional Chardonnay for decades.

But Idée Fixe represents something completely different.

Rather than simply adding a sparkling wine to an established portfolio, the team created a dedicated sparkling wine house.

A winery with a singular ambition.

To produce exceptional traditional-method Blanc de Blancs from Margaret River Chardonnay.

Everything about the project reflects that ambition.

The vineyard selection.

The Chardonnay clones.

The timing of harvest.

The pressing.

The fermentation.

And the extended ageing in bottle.

This is a sparkling wine project designed from the ground up.

And the results have been extraordinary.

Karridale – The Secret Behind the Wine

One of the most important things about Idée Fixe is the location of its vineyard.

KARRIDALE.

Situated in the far south of Margaret River, Karridale is one of the coolest and most maritime-influenced parts of the region.

This is Chardonnay country with a difference.

Persistent cloud cover.

Cool winds from the Southern Ocean.

A long growing season.

And distinctive quartz-rich soils.

These conditions are particularly important for premium sparkling wine.

They allow Chardonnay to develop delicate flavour while retaining the beautiful natural acidity needed for traditional-method production.

And acidity is absolutely essential.

It gives sparkling wine freshness.

Structure.

Energy.

And the ability to develop complexity during extended bottle ageing.

The Karridale vineyard provides the foundation for everything that makes Idée Fixe so special.

100% Chardonnay – The Beauty of Blanc de Blancs

The 2024 Premier Brut is made entirely from Chardonnay.

100% CHARDONNAY.

No Pinot Noir.

No Pinot Meunier.

Just exceptional cool-climate Margaret River Chardonnay.

Blanc de Blancs is one of the most celebrated styles of sparkling wine.

The greatest examples combine delicacy and freshness with remarkable texture and complexity.

Chardonnay brings beautiful citrus precision.

Fresh lemon.

Green apple.

White flowers.

And a wonderfully mineral backbone.

But great Blanc de Blancs should offer more than freshness.

It needs concentration.

Texture.

Depth.

And a long, beautifully balanced finish.

The 2024 Idée Fixe Premier Brut delivers exactly that combination.

Traditional-Method Sparkling – Made with Extraordinary Care

Idée Fixe uses the traditional method of sparkling wine production.

The same fundamental process used to make Champagne.

The Chardonnay is handpicked, and the premium free-run juice is carefully selected.

The base wines are fermented and assessed before blending.

For the 2024 Premier Brut, approximately 15% of the wine receives French oak treatment.

This contributes additional texture and complexity without overwhelming the beautiful Chardonnay fruit.

The wine then undergoes its second fermentation inside the bottle.

This is where the bubbles are created naturally.

Following fermentation, the wine remains in contact with its lees.

These are the spent yeast cells that gradually contribute complexity and texture during ageing.

The 2024 Premier Brut spends more than 21 months on lees.

And the results are immediately apparent.

Beautifully fine bubbles.

Subtle brioche.

Delicate pastry.

And a wonderfully creamy texture.

All balanced by the exceptional freshness of Karridale Chardonnay.

21-Plus Months on Lees – The Secret to the Texture

One of the things that separates serious traditional-method sparkling wine from simpler styles is the time spent ageing on lees.

And the 2024 Premier Brut receives plenty of it.

MORE THAN 21 MONTHS.

During this period, the wine gradually develops additional layers of flavour.

Fresh citrus begins to combine with subtle pastry characters.

The texture becomes more refined.

The bubbles integrate beautifully.

And the wine develops a lovely sense of richness.

In the 2024 Premier Brut, you'll find hints of brioche, almond cake and delicate baked pastry.

But the wine never loses its extraordinary freshness.

The citrus remains vibrant.

The acidity is beautifully focused.

And the finish is wonderfully precise.

This is exactly what we want from great Blanc de Blancs.

Just 5.2 Grams per Litre Dosage

Another fascinating detail is the dosage.

The 2024 Premier Brut has a dosage of just 5.2 grams per litre.

Dosage is the small addition made after disgorgement to help balance the finished sparkling wine.

At this level, the wine remains beautifully dry.

The emphasis is on the fruit.

The acidity.

The mineral character.

And the complexity developed through bottle ageing.

The result is wonderfully refreshing.

There is enough richness to make the wine generous and satisfying.

But the finish remains crisp, saline and beautifully precise.

A magnificent balance of texture and freshness.

Lemon Zest, Yellow Plum, Brioche and Oyster-Shell Minerality

The 2024 Premier Brut is a particularly exciting wine to taste.

In the glass, it displays a beautiful pale-lemon colour.

The bubbles are fine and persistent.

And the aromas immediately reveal the influence of southern Margaret River.

Fresh lemon zest.

Crunchy green apple.

Yellow plum.

White peach.

And delicate orange blossom.

Then come the more complex characters.

Freshly baked brioche.

Almond cake.

Subtle pastry.

And a fascinating hint of flint.

There is also a distinctive coastal character.

Oyster shell.

Sea spray.

And a wonderfully chalky minerality.

On the palate, the wine is beautifully precise.

The citrus fruit provides immediate freshness.

The orchard-fruit characters bring generosity.

And the extended lees ageing creates a refined, creamy texture.

The bubbles are wonderfully fine.

The acidity is vibrant.

And the finish is long, savoury and refreshingly saline.

A magnificent combination of Chardonnay purity, traditional-method complexity and coastal mineral freshness.

One of Australia's Most Exciting Blanc de Blancs

Australian sparkling wine has never been more exciting.

Tasmania has established an extraordinary reputation for traditional-method sparkling wines.

But Margaret River is demonstrating that it can produce something equally compelling, with a completely different regional personality.

Idée Fixe is at the forefront of that development.

The winery has taken the region's exceptional Chardonnay and created a sparkling wine with genuine sophistication.

Beautiful fruit.

Fine bubbles.

Impressive texture.

And remarkable precision.

The 2024 Premier Brut is a wonderful example.

This is not simply a good Australian sparkling wine.

This is a serious Blanc de Blancs that deserves the attention of anyone who loves great Chardonnay and great Champagne.

A Brilliant Alternative to Blanc de Blancs Champagne

If you enjoy Blanc de Blancs Champagne, this is a wine you absolutely need to explore.

Consider what you're getting.

100% Chardonnay.

A dedicated cool-climate vineyard.

Handpicked fruit.

Traditional bottle fermentation.

More than 21 months on lees.

French oak influence.

Low dosage.

And beautiful mineral precision.

These are impressive credentials.

Of course, Margaret River and Champagne have different climates, soils and wine styles.

But the commitment to exceptional Chardonnay and careful traditional-method winemaking is something they share.

At just $60, Idée Fixe Premier Brut offers a wonderful opportunity to experience serious Australian Blanc de Blancs.

Outstanding with Seafood

One of the greatest strengths of Blanc de Blancs is its ability to complement seafood.

And the 2024 Premier Brut is a magnificent wine at the table.

Freshly Shucked Oysters

A natural pairing. The wine's oyster-shell minerality and saline freshness complement the briny character of fresh oysters.

Pan-Seared Scallops

Beautiful with scallops served with browned butter and lemon.

Western Australian Abalone

An exceptional match for the wine's delicate texture and mineral precision.

Lobster with Lemon Butter

The creamy mousse and bright acidity work beautifully with rich lobster.

Kingfish Crudo

A wonderful combination with citrus, olive oil and fresh seafood.

Sashimi

The fine bubbles and vibrant acidity make this a particularly elegant pairing.

Salt and Pepper Calamari

The refreshing acidity cuts through the richness of crispy calamari.

Roast Chicken

A beautiful match with roast chicken, herbs and a light roasting jus.

Aged Comté

The subtle brioche and almond characters work wonderfully with aged cheese.

And of course, it's absolutely delicious on its own.

Serve it in a proper white-wine glass.

Allow the aromas to develop.

And enjoy the beautiful freshness and complexity.

Why We Love This Wine at Liquid Vibe

At Liquid Vibe, we're constantly searching for wines that deliver exceptional quality and genuine value.

And the 2024 Idée Fixe Premier Brut is exactly the sort of wine we love discovering.

First, there is the pedigree.

FROM THE TEAM BEHIND VASSE FELIX.

Then there is the region.

KARRIDALE – ONE OF THE COOLEST PARTS OF MARGARET RIVER.

Then there is the fruit.

100% HANDPICKED CHARDONNAY.

Then there is the winemaking.

TRADITIONAL BOTTLE FERMENTATION.

Then there is the ageing.

MORE THAN 21 MONTHS ON LEES.

Then there is the complexity.

15% FRENCH OAK AND A BEAUTIFULLY RESTRAINED DOSAGE.

Then there is the flavour.

LEMON ZEST, GREEN APPLE, YELLOW PLUM, BRIOCHE AND EXTRAORDINARY MINERAL FRESHNESS.

And finally, there is the price.

JUST $60 A BOTTLE!

This is a magnificent Australian sparkling wine.

Fresh.

Precise.

Wonderfully textured.

And packed with character.

100% MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY. TRADITIONAL METHOD. OVER 21 MONTHS ON LEES. JUST $60.

2024 Idée Fixe Premier Brut Blanc de Blancs – one of Australia's most exciting expressions of traditional-method Chardonnay and an outstanding addition to the Liquid Vibe range.

Wine Details

• Producer: Idée Fixe

• Wine: Premier Brut Blanc de Blancs

• Vintage: 2024

• Region: Margaret River, Western Australia

• Vineyard Area: Karridale

• Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay

• Fruit: Estate-grown, handpicked

• Winemaking: Traditional-method bottle fermentation

• Oak: 15% French oak

• Lees Ageing: 21-plus months

• Dosage: 5.2 g/L

• Alcohol: 12%

• Style: Dry vintage Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine

• Colour: Pale lemon

• Aromas: Lemon zest, green apple, yellow plum, orange blossom, brioche and almond cake

• Palate: Fine mousse, citrus precision, creamy texture and a long saline finish

• RRP: $60 per bottle

• Food Pairing: Oysters, scallops, abalone, lobster, sashimi, calamari and roast chicken

• Serving Temperature: 8–10°C

• Cellaring: Approximately 24–36 months, according to the producer