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2018 Tom Cullity

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 which he produced the estate’s first red wine. The Tom Cullity descends from these original vines and represents the purest expression of our history, place and vintage; the pinnacle of Vasse Felix. 

Dr Tom Cullity
1925-2008

Dr Tom Cullity was a respected Cardiologist from Western Australia. He discovered the great table wines of Europe in the 1950s while in Britain working at the National Heart Hospital. Upon returning home, Tom set himself a mission to make fine wines in WA. He searched extensively for the perfect plot of land, taking guidance from the research of Professor Harold Olmo (1955) and Dr John Gladstones (1965) before establishing an 8 acre vineyard in Cowaramup called Vasse Felix.

Tom’s tenacious and enduring persistence led to the successful creation of Margaret River’s first commercial wines. He is remembered for his pioneering role in establishing the Margaret River Wine Region. The TOM CULLITY is a fitting tribute to this extraordinary legacy.

DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTES

EOI FOR 2019 TOM CULLITY

A selection of magnums and six bottle cellaring cases are also available, click the links below for more.

2018 TOM CULLITY MAGNUM

Tasting Notes
APPEARANCE A very bright garnet with a purple/black tint. NOSE 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. PALATE 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.
Winemaker Notes
WINEMAKERS 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.
Varietals:
Production Notes
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17.5% Malbec, 4.5% Petit Verdot
Alcohol:
Alcohol %
14.5
Cellaring Potential:
Aging
Approachable on release at four years of age. 20+ years for elegant and savoury aged Cabernet Sauvignon.
Harvested:
Harvest Date
23 March - 10 April 2018
Oak:
Fermentation
French Oak Barrique 59% new, 41% 2-4 year old 18 months
TA:
Acid
6.1g/L
pH:
pH
3.57
Residual Sugar:
Residual Sugar
0.69g/L
Bottled:
Bottling Date
6 February 2020
2018 Tom Cullity
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$220.00
/ Bottle
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