Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cab/Sauv
TASTING NOTES
APPEARANCE A lovely, translucent ruby.
NOSE The tightly intermingled perfume carries Tom’s Block characters of savoury tobacco, earthy forest and nori-like ocean breeze. Delicate red berry
notes move into savoury tones of cherry pip, mushroom, white clay, brie rind and tamari. A floral fragrance of violets frames this elegant vintage.
PALATE A restrained and ethereal rendition of Margaret River Cabernet, the body is plush and shapely, with lovely red berry fruit characters and super
fine, talc-like tannins of unbelievable length. Graceful and sophisticated with a savoury core, the delicate complexity of perfumes linger on the long,
drying finish.
WINEMAKER COMMENTS
2017 was an elegant, late season harvest resulting in beautifully ripe fruit, well preserved bright fruit fragrance and a long, delicate tannin profile. The
unique small sections of Tom’s old blocks were hand-harvested from 7 to 24 April, destemmed only without crushing and then wild fermented as whole
berries. The Cabernet Sauvignon was static fermented, gently pumped over through a splash tub, then left on skins for up to 33 days to stabilise
and become structurally sound. The Petit Verdot and Malbec were open fermented, hand-plunged and pressed dry. Each small batch fermentation
was basket-pressed and gently transferred to fine French oak for 19 months of maturation. With minimal rack and return, this wine was aged on its fine
lees, bringing beautiful savoury elements and soft tannins to this delicate vintage.
VINTAGE DESCRIPTION
2017 was a cooler and later vintage than the previous 10 years; a year of elegant, structural, slightly lighter bodied wines; though ripe in flavour,
vibrant and very perfumed. Higher than average yields in combination with a cooler season contributed to delayed ripening of the fruit and good
retention of acidity. Some timely warmth and sunshine occurred throughout January, although February temperatures remained moderate with some
rainfall. With the cooler weather, canopy management and fruit thinning was imperative to mitigate disease pressures and allow for even, persistent
ripening. There was a warm start to March to finish the white harvest, followed by the driest April since 1982, allowing the reds to ripen beautifully
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.
To see more about the winery please go to http://www.vassefelix.com.au
To see our full range of Vasse Felix product go to http://www.auswinesonline.co.uk/product-category/vasse-felix/
Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cab/Sauv
£109.00 a bottle
5 in stock
Vasse Felix was the first commercial vineyard and winery to be established in the Margaret River region of Western Australia. The wines from this producer have a great reputation for consistent and award winning quality.
Regarded as one of Australia’s best wine producing regions. It is synonymous with a new era in Australian wine. Margaret River really began its vineyard life as a result of two research reports from Californian viticulturalist Professor Harold Olmo and the Western Australian scientist Dr John Gladstone. In 1965 Dr Gladstone’s report indicated that the region had all the attributes to produce world quality wines. This advise was acted on by Dr Tom Cullity who set up his Vasse Felix vineyard near Willyabrup, followed by Dr Kevin Cullen and his wife Di who set up Cullen Wines. The climate is regarded as ‘cool’ because of its long slow ripening season. This region is regarded along with Coonawarra and the Yarra Valley as one of the premium Cabernet Sauvignon areas in Australia. The main wine styles: Red – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet-Merlot, Shiraz; White – Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho.
Probably the world’s most famous red grape variety. Originated from Bordeaux and has been present in Australia since 1832.
Wherever it has been planted the resulting wine has developed its own identity yet it is always recognisable. Although it will vary in intensity the aroma will always be dominated by berry characteristics in the classic wines and the tannins will be firm or textured and soften with age. Cabernet Sauvignon is high in acid and tannin and remains fresh for many years. It can be earthy and display strong blackcurrant flavours. The naturally high tannin and inherent complexity mean all Cabernet Sauvignons will improve with age.
Coonawarra, with its prized ‘terra rossa’ soils, Margaret River, Mount Barker (Great Southern) and Yarra Valley regions are considered the premium Cabernet Sauvignon areas in Australia.
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