14 August 2017 |
Vasse Felix
Halliday Awards 2013 TOM CULLITY 98 Points
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James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2018 has officially been released, with both Vasse Felix Icon wines receiving excellent reviews. The 2015 Heytesbury Chardonnay was awarded an impressive 97 points, while the inaugural 2013 TOM CULLITY was given 98 points, making it our highest scoring Cabernet ever.
“It would be hard to find a more elegant, yet razor-sharp expression of Margaret River cabernet.” (2014 Cabernet Sauvignon)
"Restrained like a lion on a leash." (2015 Chardonnay)
The Halliday Wine Companion, recognised as the industry benchmark for Australian wine is eagerly anticipated year after year for winemakers and wine lovers alike.
James Halliday's Reviews:
2013 TOM CULLITY - 98 Points
Don’t pay any attention to the slightly light colour, but certainly dwell on the gloriously fragrant bouquet and the intensity of the cassis-accented palate. This is a truly sophisticated blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 20% malbec, 4% petit verdot, with exceptional texture, length and aftertaste. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. Rating 98. Drink to 2033.
2015 Heytesbury Chardonnay - 97 Points
One of the icons of Margaret River, a chardonnay that has had spectacular success in shows over the past 5+ years, this vintage typical. The mouthfeel and balance are flawless, supple yet focused, all the ingredients - fruit, oak, acidity - in perfect harmony and balance. Screwcap. 13% alc. Rating 97. Drink to 2028.
2015 Chardonnay - 96 Points
The bouquet is still developing, but the palate guarantees the medium to long-term future of a chardonnay with exceptional length and intensity, pear, white peach and grapefruit combining to make light work of the oak. Restrained like a lion on a leash. Screwcap. 13% alc. Rating 96. Drink to 2034.
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon - 96 Points
It would be hard to find a more elegant, yet razor-sharp expression of Margaret River cabernet. It has cassis nailed to its mast, the sails of bay leaf, perfectly integrated oak and fine-grained but insistent tannins. Lovely wine. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. Rating 96. Drink to 2034
2015 Filius Cabernet Merlot - 94 Points
It has all the hallmarks of the warmer part of Margaret River, flavour building relatively early and sustained throughout the length of the palate. Juicy cassis is the cornerstone, but there are notes of dried herbs, black olive and oak adding complexity and length. Screwcap. 14% alc. Rating 94. Drink to 2029.
2014 Shiraz - 92 Points
There’s no doubt shiraz deserves its place in the warmer parts of Margaret River, even if it were to limit the opportunities for new cabernet plantings. This medium-bodied wine is supple, long and well balanced, with black cherry fruits to the fore, backed by spicy, savoury tannins and a waft of oak.
2015 Filius Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 Points
86% cabernet sauvignon, 14% malbec matured for 13 months in French oak (20% new). Brightly coloured; tips the scales of medium-bodied, deliberately light and fresh in the mouth, both bouquet and palate draped over a scaffold of superfine tannins providing a long finish and aftertaste.
2015 Filius Chardonnay - 90 Points
Filius (son of) is made using the same approach as its siblings, but with different estate-sourced grapes, and barrel-fermented and matured in 22% new French oak. It is well balanced, its early picking showing through in the zesty grapefruit-accented acidity which invests the wine with excellent freshness.