Vasse Felix Tom Culity Cabernet Malbec 2020

Vasse Felix Tom Culity Cabernet Malbec 2020Established in 1967 by Dr Thomas Brendan Cullity, Vasse Felix is Margaret Rivers founding wine estate and a true pioneer of the region. Home to the area's oldest vines, including the renowned Toms Plots, the estate produces character driven wines from three premium vineyards. Known for its minimal intervention approach and sustainable practices, Vasse Felix crafts elegant, small batch wines that reflect the unique terroir of Margaret River. From

Established in 1967 by Dr Thomas Brendan Cullity, Vasse Felix is Margaret River’s founding wine estate and a true pioneer of the region. Home to the area's oldest vines, including the renowned Tom’s Plots, the estate produces character-driven wines from three premium vineyards.

Known for its minimal intervention approach and sustainable practices, Vasse Felix crafts elegant, small-batch wines that reflect the unique terroir of Margaret River. From iconic Cabernet Sauvignon to expressive Chardonnay, Vasse Felix continues to set the benchmark for quality in the region.

A warm and low-yielding vintage has delivered a hallmark Cabernet of intensity and depth, a round and even textured version of the pure TOM CULLITY, ever transparent to the vintage that was. The small sections of Tom’s old plots were early to ripen by the end of March. They were hand-picked, destemmed and transferred to fermenter without crushing and then allowed to ferment with the natural yeast.

It's 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot. The Cabernet is static fermented, gently pumped over through a splash tub and then left on skins for up to 29 days to stabilise and make structurally sound. The Malbec and some Cabernet Sauvignon were open fermented, hand plunged and pressed dry. All batches were basket-pressed to fine French oak and matured for 18 months. Only 30% of the barriques were racked and returned once, with the remaining barriques left on lees for the full 18 months. 

Tasting Notes

"Winemaker Virginia Willcock worries about her flagship wines leaving the fold, as in Heytesbury Chardonnay and Tom Cullity, released too young, she says. And while she’s right, anyone buying them knows time will reward the patient. It’s built for ageing, but I’m impatient, and this Tom Cullity is youthful but also complete. Malbec, off the original plantings, comprises 16% of the blend; 3% petit verdot, too, is fundamental to the shape and flavour profile. Dark-fruited, meaty, spicy, complex, roasted chicory accented, floral and beguiling. Fuller bodied with exceptional tannins, all textural, expansive and long, working in tandem with the acidity to a long finish" 97 Points - Halliday Wine Companion, Jane Faulkner (2024.