Excitement Continues for the 2018 TOM CULLITY

 

Excitement continues to build for the 2018 TOM CULLITY as the first critic reviews are released. 

Scored at 99 points and named, "a wine for the ages" by Halliday Wine Companion (Erin Larkin), the wine was also featured in The West Australian, with Ray Jordan awarding the same score. Both reviews, along with others can be found in full below.

More information about a very special TOM CULLITY takeover at the Estate will be released shortly, so stay tuned. In the meantime, explore the story of TOM CULLITY available for purchase here.

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99 Points

Halliday Wine Companion - Erin Larkin

This wine is the benchmark of the latent power, grace and inherent balance of the 2018 vintage in Margaret River. Texturally similar to the classically sophisticated 2014 vintage, but with far greater density and weight. Here, the savoury tannins are countersunk into the fruit already: shapely, firm, chewy, malleable – everywhere and nowhere at once. Waves of blood plum, cassis, blackberry, pomegranate, juniper, raspberries, saltbush, bay leaf and salted red licorice crash against the rocks, as kelp, nori, iodine, red gravel and brine ride the smaller sets out the back. Sensational. Astounding. A wine for the ages.

99 Points

The West Australian - Ray Jordan 

Highly perfumed aromas strike immediately. There is that combination of fruit sweetness and fine chalky minerally tannins. Loads of blackcurrant and juicy plum with a dollop of chocolate and mocha cut with floral and dried herb notes. Bright and energetic at every turn with subtlety and elegance. Delivers with a degree of understatement and restraint yet gathers pace and momentum as it drives through to the finish. The tannins are more in the powdery space with that slightly aspirin-like oak influence bringing it all together seamlessly and harmoniously. This is classic cabernet in its varietal makeup with a firm spine and length. The malbec has brought a vibrant red fruit juiciness into the equation. The finest wine yet from Vasse Felix. It’s 2016 without the tannin and 2014 without the opulence.

98 Points

The Vintage Journal, Andrew Caillard

"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."

98 Points

James Suckling - Top 100 Wines of Australia 2021, Nick Stock

"A great edition of the top Cabernet blend from Vasse Felix, this has a lot of power and depth. The aromas run from red to blue and dark berries with a leafy edge and attractive, fresh florals. The palate has a core of blue-toned fruit flavor that drives so deep, with a helix-like interplay of acidity and tannin. Impressive. Drink over the next decade or more." 

97 Points 

The Real Review, Gabrielle Poy

"Not a powerhouse on the nose, but rather an intriguing mix of beautifully curated black and red berries, florals and meats with an earthy element of graphite. It smells harmonious yet complex. The palate is luxuriously rich and svelte, once again a myriad of complexing flavours combine and are carried along with fine rolling tannins. It’s incredibly well balanced and there’s a purity to the fruit that is captivating. But perhaps best of all, there has been restraint in the winemaker’s work letting the fruit take centre stage. This is a mind-blowing cabernet that captures the elegance and complexity this grape can produce at its greatest height."
 

97 Points 

Wine Pilot, Angus Hughson

Is this the year where Tom Cullity really hits the jackpot? Absolutely, with this vintage sure to be a Margaret River classic that will age beautifully for decades to come. Deep ruby in colour, it exudes muscular and generous fruit aromas which show great power and focus – ink, blackberry and blueberry ripple with a rich vein of French oak sitting just behind. That muscularity continues on the palate while retaining fruit delicacy in a mouth filling package underpinned by a rich core of dark and slightly savoury flavours. Superb tannin management provides structure that is a perfect match before finishing with an exceptionally long and sustained finish. Super impressive and will age a mile.

 

96 Points 

The Real Review, Gary Walsh

Red currant, cassis and plum with an excellent flow of fruit, medium-bodied, very linear it’s a great long line of leafy cabernet flavours with grainy tannins to close with fruit sweetness and a hint of earthiness. This is a great Australian Cabernet with a focus on varietal and regional purity.