Dr Tom Cullity established Vasse Felix in 1967 and made Margaret River’s first significant red wine – our Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec, in 1972. The Tom Cullity is a single-vineyard evolution of the HEYTESBURY, named in recognition of Tom’s achievements. It descends from his original 1967 vines and was made exclusively from the Home Vineyard in Wilyabrup, which has been expanded carefully over the years. The wine was fermented naturally, matured in French oak for 18 months and aged in bottle until release as a four year old wine. 

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. 

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17.5% Malbec, 4.5% Petit Verdot

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. Drink to: 2052; Price: $190.00; Date Tasted: Feb 2022; Alcohol: 13.5%; Rating: 99 Points & Special Value Star; Erin Larkin; James Halliday Wine Companion