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  • Country ranking ?

    15
  • Producer ranking ?

    2
  • Decanting time

    3h
  • When to drink

    from 2028
  • Food Pairing

    Lamb

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The Story

The refurbished icon wine Tom Cullity 2013 from Vasse Felix was launched in Spring 2017. Before 2013 the icon red wine of Vasse Felix was called Heytesbury. The blend is the same Cabernet-Malbec but Tom Cullity is a single-vineyard wine unlike its predecessor.

Vasse Felix, Margaret River's founding wine estate, was established by Dr Thomas Brendan Cullity in 1967. Among his first plantings were Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec vines, from whic...

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Wine Information

In 2018 Heavy winter rainfalls recharged soil moisture levels, ideal for our dry grown vines. A modest spring enabled moderate crop levels, and while the growing season felt cool, it was in fact warmer across daytime average temperatures in the lead up to harvest. There was a “mega blossom” of the Marri trees - the most blossom in living memory – keeping bird pressure to almost zero. Vintage timing was on average, with minor rainfall freshenin...

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Vintage 2018

 Very promising quality with the most bullish commentators declaring 2018 great in every region and for every variety. The more circumspect view is that early frosts reduced yields, but good, consistent weather throughout the second half of the growing season did indeed result in great potential.

2018 Barossa vintage one to savour

Barossa 2018 vintage wrapped up at the end of April 2018, with grape growers and winemakers happy with a hig...

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Latest Pro-tasting notes

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Written Notes

What a stunning vintage. The vines loved what the season delivered, and our role was help translate their experience to the bottle, via 18 months in our best vessels, with much devotion and care. The small sections of Tom’s old blocks were hand-harvested and destemmed only, without crushing, and then fermented with their natural yeast. The Cabernet parcels were static fermented, gently pumped over through a splash tub, and then left on skins for up to 33 days to stabilise and make structurally sound in an exceptional ripening year with quality tannins. The Petit Verdot, Malbec and some Cabernet Sauvignon were open fermented, hand-plunged and pressed dry. All basket pressed only to fine French oak and matured for 18 months.

 

A very bright garnet with a purple/black tint.  Such an amazing energy with transparency of vineyard environment emanating via savoury hints of native forest, red gravel and ocean spray, leaning to nori and a touch of mushroom. The fruit is vibrant, outstanding even; reminiscent of fresh boysenberries. Turkish Delight and potpourri bring fragrant beauty, while more excitement lies in spice notes of red peppercorn, Bay tree seeds and very subtle liquorice. So elegant and succulent, yet with powerful structure and length. The immense, levitating body feels rich, but light - it’s miraculous. The tannins are fine, present, peripheral and incredibly long, with perfume so deep it lingers on and on. Our dream Cabernet Sauvignon vintage for weight, flavour preservation and balance.

Vasse Felix Tom Cullity 2018 /Medium deep crimson. Fragrant cassis, dark plum, chinotto aromas with herb garden, aniseed notes. Voluminous blackcurrant, dark plum, blackberry fruits, lovely persistent fine chocolaty textures, superb mid-palate density, fresh juicy acidity and plentiful mocha, espresso oak notes. Finishes chocolaty with plentiful sweet dark fruits and attractive mineral length. Lovely concentration, definition and torque. Should last some distance and keep for a while to let the elements further integrate. An impressive landmark vintage. 78% cabernet sauvignon 17.5% malbec 4.5% petit verdot. Matured in new (59%) and seasoned French oak for 18 months. 98 points

  • 98p
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Information

Origin

Wilyabrup, Margaret River

Inside Information

A very bright garnet with a purple/black tint.  Such an amazing energy with transparency of vineyard environment emanating via savoury hints of native forest, red gravel and ocean spray, leaning to nori and a touch of mushroom. The fruit is vibrant, outstanding even; reminiscent of fresh boysenberries. Turkish Delight and potpourri bring fragrant beauty, while more excitement lies in spice notes of red peppercorn, Bay tree seeds and very subtle liquorice.  So elegant and succulent, yet with powerful structure and length. The immense, levitating body feels rich, but light - it’s miraculous. The tannins are fine, present, peripheral and incredibly long, with perfume so deep it lingers on and on. Our dream Cabernet Sauvignon vintage for weight, flavour preservation and balance.

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