Founded in 1967 by Dr. Tom Cullity, Vasse Felix is the founding wine estate of Margaret River and a cornerstone of Australian fine wine. The flagship Tom Cullity pays tribute to the estate’s visionary founder — a wine that captures the purity, balance, and longevity that define Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon at its most distinguished.
Vineyard
Sourced exclusively from the original vines planted by Dr. Cullity in the Wilyabrup subregion, the vineyard’s gravelly loam soils over clay, coupled with a maritime climate, yield fruit of exquisite concentration and natural poise. These old vines, some more than five decades in age, are the beating heart of the Tom Cullity’s depth and character.
Winemaking
Hand-picked and sorted fruit was fermented in small stainless-steel and wooden vats with gentle extraction, followed by 18 months of maturation in fine French oak barriques (approximately 50% new). The final blend — Cabernet Sauvignon (approx. 80%) and Malbec (20%) — was bottled unfined and unfiltered, then aged further at the estate before release.
Vintage
The 2021 vintage in Margaret River was cool and even, marked by a long ripening season and excellent fruit balance. The conditions favoured fine, aromatic Cabernet with vibrant acidity and refined tannin — producing wines of purity, precision, and exceptional cellaring potential.
Tasting Notes
The 2021 ‘Tom Cullity’ Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec opens with lifted aromas of cassis, mulberry, bay leaf, and graphite, accented by subtle notes of cedar, violet, and dark cocoa. The palate is elegant and composed — medium-bodied with finely layered fruit, silky tannins, and an enduring mineral finish. This is a wine of grace and power in perfect harmony.
Technical Information
Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
Subregion: Wilyabrup
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (approx. 80%), Malbec (20%)
Vintage: 2021
Alcohol: ~14%
Maturation: 18 months in French oak (approx. 50% new)
Closure: Screwcap
Drinking Window: 2025–2048+
A Margaret River Icon
The 2021 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity stands as a benchmark for modern Australian Cabernet — elegant, pure, and deeply expressive. A true collector’s wine that reflects both the heritage of Vasse Felix and the enduring beauty of the Margaret River region.
