Introducing the 2021 TOM CULLITY

Introducing the 2021 TOM CULLITY, a wine of effortless grace and unrivalled provenance, from the oldest vines in Margaret River.

2021 marked 50 years of Cabernet Sauvignon winemaking at Vasse Felix, a legacy founded on the vision of pioneers who recognised Margaret River’s extraordinary potential. This elegant release honours their foresight, embodying the philosophy that defined our earliest wines: Tom Cullity and David Gregg “sought to craft a red wine that was light on the palate, modest in alcohol, and reminiscent of a fine Bordeaux, in contrast to a ‘powerful Australian red’.” ¹

Tom’s vines allow us to make a wine of remarkable depth and distinction. The grapes are reflective of, but unphased by seasonal conditions. 2021 was a variable vintage for Cabernet Sauvignon across Margaret River and by many accounts, a season where vine location, maturity and deliberate and intricate canopy management was vital, following a cool, wet November and humid growing conditions.

For some, cyclonic activity impacted harvest times. While it was a consideration for Tom’s plots, their harvest timing – 30 March to 9 April – was predetermined by the plump (red-spectrum) fruit flavours and resolved satin tannins, rather than the weather forecast.

Picking grapes for ‘the Tom’ is always a highlight at Vasse Felix, with team members from viticulture to hospitality donning gloves and a pair of secateurs to help make another historic wine from these significant vines, aged 54 years at the time.

The ubiquitous knoll in the heartland of Wilyabrup that Dr Cullity searched for relentlessly, has once again proven its alchemy. “This is my dream texture. And it’s so deep. It’s luscious, intense, multifaceted, plush and comfortable without being heavy,” Chief Winemaker, Virginia Willcock.

Tom’s plots were hand-harvested, wild fermented as whole berries and left on skins for up to 28 days. A healthy wild yeast population fostered harmonious natural fermentation, enhancing the wine’s character. The wine was basket pressed and transferred to 68% new and 32% 2-4-year-old French oak barriques, where it aged on yeast lees for 16 months prior to bottling. The tannins are delicate and refined and hold an enduring strength, ensuring this wine will evolve beautifully over the next 15+ years. The 2021 TOM CULLITY is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Malbec.

As always, this wine stands as a testament to Dr Tom Cullity’s vision – to create the best possible wine from this remarkable land – a vision that continues to be realised in every bottle of TOM CULLITY.

¹ Gary Cullity and David Gregg, Vasse Felix 1973-1987 (2014).