Vasse Felix Tom Cullity 2022 - The Tenth Vintage Release
To celebrate a decade of Vasse Felix's flagship red, Tom Cullity, Vasse Felix Sommelier Evan Gill, will be hosting two exclusive events at Lamont’s Cottesloe.
Introducing the 2022 TOM CULLITY, a timeless tribute from the original vines that shaped Margaret River Cabernet.
“Perhaps the most seamless and perfectly integrated of all the Toms.”
- Ray Jordan
Tom’s plots mark the origins of Cabernet Sauvignon in Margaret River, born of one man’s vision to see vines prosper in this remote, unproven corner of the world. Poised elegance and vivid perfumes were preserved, with a core of concentrated, expressive and striking flavour from the compact, intense grape berries. Tannins are exquisite, sleek and ever-present.
“It feels like yesterday we released the first TOM CULLITY, and here we are 10 years later, reflecting on our amazing development and evolution here at Vasse Felix. Yet the TOM CULLITY remains the same in its stature, meaning and beauty from the old vines, and tells the story of only the minor nuances of 10 beautiful seasons. The 2022 simply looks vibrant, energetic, powerful and delicious.”
- Chief Winemaker, Virginia Willcock.
This is the tenth release of TOM CULLITY, from 55-year-old vines. It is the pinnacle of Vasse Felix, a wine of rare provenance and enduring grace. TOM CULLITY captures the essence of Margaret River’s most historic terroir. More than a flagship, it embodies the soul of Vasse Felix.
(Vasse Felix Official)
10 Wines including…
The New Release - 2022 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Malbec
98 Points - Ray Jordan, rayjordanwines.com
98 Points - Erin Larkin, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
98 Points, Ryan Montgomery, James Suckling
97 Points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion 2026
3 Chardonnays
2023 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay
James Suckling Top 100 Wines of Australia 2024
97 Points - James Suckling
97+ Points - Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate
97 Points - Barry Weinman, Fine Wine Club
97 Points - Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage
2 Museum Releases
2017 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon
94 Points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front (2020)
94 Points - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (2020)
2015 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Malbec
96 Points - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (2019)
96 Points - Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast
Sunday November 9
Hosted by Evan Gill, Vasse Felix Sommelier
Lunch: 12-3pm. 10 Wines 4 Courses. $195
Masterclass: 4-6pm. 10 Wines with Kate Lamont nibbles, $95
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Margaret River's Founding Wine Estate
Vasse Felix was established by Margaret River pioneer Dr Thomas Brendan Cullity in 1967 and is the region’s founding wine estate.
Dr Cullity’s original aim for Vasse Felix was simple – to make the best possible wine, and prove the untapped potential of a place that was hypothesised to be superb for fine wine growing. Through ingenuity and tenacity, he made Margaret River’s first serious wines in 1972; a Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec and a Riesling, marking a milestone in Australian wine history.
Since 1987, the Holmes à Court Family have guided Vasse Felix with a steadfast vision: for it, and the Margaret River wine region, to be thriving and world-regarded, 100 years into the future, and beyond.
An exacting focus on quality and excellence for Margaret River’s pre-eminent wine styles, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay sits at the heart of this.Chief Winemaker, Virginia Willcock
One of Australia's most awarded winemakers, Virginia has led the wine program at Vasse Felix since October 2006. Virginia has an insatiable curiosity for the role microbiology plays in grapes and vineyards in making more environmentally expressive wines.
As a teenager, Virginia saw the happiness and joy wine brought to her parents and their friends after a hard day’s work in their small vineyard. It was here she decided winemaking was going to be her career. “I loved the idea of growing fruit, and then turning it into something that could be more beautiful and would make people happy.”
‘Winemaker of the Year’ Halliday Wine Companion 2026
‘Winemaker of the Year’ ASVO (Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology) Award for Excellence, 2024
‘Winemaker of the Year’ Australian Women in Wine Awards, 2017
‘Winemaker of the Year Nominee’ Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards, 2014
'Winemaker of the Year’ The West Australian Good Wine Guide, 2013
'Australian Winemaker of the Year’ Gourmet Traveller WINE, 2012Chief Viticulturist, Bart Molony
Bart Molony joined Vasse Felix in 2004, making 2024 his 20th vintage. He has a passion for sustainable viticulture, where every practice is guided by a strong focus on vineyard biodiversity and responsible, natural farming practices. He promotes a constant focus on soil biology across all vineyards. This is enhanced by Margaret River’s natural suitability to sustainable viticulture, due to its climatic and environmental attributes.
“Margaret River is the perfect environment in which to grow grapes. The region’s excellent soils and climate contribute to the production of consistent yields of high quality fruit, without which, the creation of great wines would be impossible.”
‘Viticulturist of the Year’ Halliday Wine Companion, 2025
‘Viti Excellence Award' Margaret River Wine Association, 2011 -
Vasse Felix is a Mattinson 10-Star Winery.
Only the best of Australia’s best wineries are ranked as a Mattinson 10-Star Winery.Vasse Felix has been named ‘New World Winery of the Year’ by leading USA publication Wine Enthusiast in its 18th annual Wine Star Awards.
A Halliday Five-Star Red Winery Rating
2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards
Vasse Felix’s 2023 Heytesbury Chardonnay didn’t just win Chardonnay of the Year – it also took out White Wine of the Year, scoring an exceptional 99 points.Halliday Wine Companion Winemaker of the Year 2026 - Virginia Willcock
Bart Molony of Vasse Felix has been named the 2025 Halliday Viticulturist of the Year.
Ray Jordan’s WA Wine Review ‘Wine of the Year’ and 99 Points - Tom Cullity cabernet sauvignon malbec 2020
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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.
Dr Tom Cullity’s original aim for Vasse Felix was simple – to make the best possible wine and reveal the untapped potential of Margaret River for fine wine. Through ingenuity and tenacity, he crafted the region’s first serious wines in 1972: a Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec and a Riesling, a milestone in Australian wine history.
Today, Vasse Felix is home to three specialty vineyards across exceptional sites, including Margaret River’s oldest – Tom’s Plots at our Home Vineyard in Wilyabrup. These treasured vines still flourish, producing the revered fruit for our TOM CULLITY Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec, with its 10th vintage soon to be released.
On what would have been Dr Tom Cullity’s 100th birthday, we raise a glass in his honour. We invite you to join us in toasting with a glass of Vasse Felix Cabernet, wherever you may be. -
Margaret River is clearly Australia’s greatest Cabernet Sauvignon region – as is confirmed by the 200+ Eastern States Wine Makers & Wine Reviewers who are our senior & capital city wine show system judges.
1. Margaret River’s 1.6% of Australia’s Cabernet Sauvignon crush has won 45 of the 56 Capital City Best Cabernet Sauvignon trophies awarded since the first show in 2014.
79%!!!
2. Margaret River (yep, the same 1.6%) won 16 consecutive Capital City Best Cabernet Trophies from the 4th show 19 2018 till the 4th show in 2021 – finally missing out at 2021’s final & Hobart last year!!!3. Western Australia has won 17 of the 20 Best Cabernet Sauvignon Trophies since 2000 at Canberra, our National Wine Show - the last 12 consecutively.
This is dominance.
Within this Margaret River perspective there are three to four truly great Cabernet Sauvignon labels in Margaret River - & the Tom Cullity range is one of these three.
An extraordinary achievement.
The (many!) Tom Cullity Cabernet Malbec vertical tastings illustrate that the cooler 2013, 2015, 2017 & 2019 vintages have provided serious and charming – but more fragrant and elegant - releases than the denser, more powerfully structured – and thus longer living? – 2014, 2016 and 2018 vintages.
The 7 Tom Cullity releases to date are truly great Australian Cabernet Sauvignons.
And now the 2020…
JJ
The Wine List
On Arrival
2023 Idée Fixe Premier Brut
Idée Fixe is crafted from the premium, free-run cuvée of handpicked Chardonnay, and meticulous méthode traditionnelle winemaking. A light, elegant form is revealed in the fine, even bead and the soft, pale yellow hue with subtle green reflections. The voluminous mousse is enhanced by an ethereal minerality creating an enticing palate where fruit vibrancy and layers of captivating freshness achieve delightful harmony. The unmistakable DNA of southern Margaret River Chardonnay and its cool, coastal influence runs through the Premier Brut’s core. Lifted nuances of struck match and ocean sea spray fade to reveal expansive aromas of blood orange, rhubarb and gingernut biscuit followed by an undercurrent of freshly steamed Jasmine rice and uplifting lime. A delicate citrus-infused acidity completes the moreish saline finish.
Winemaker Notes
First Bracket
2023 Vasse Felix Sauvignon Blanc
Yes, there’s a touch of colour, an amber-gold, and appealing chewy phenolics because this is fermented wild in French oak foudres and puncheons, with a portion of skin-contact. This creates all that texture and grip and interest. It’s not a fruity, tropical, boring drink, it’s complex, smokin’ and an excellent food wine. It’s all savoury, and more about the palate with raw quince tannins, dabs of spice, crisp acidity and finishes very dry. Sure, it’s not for everyone, just more for me then.
95 Points - Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
Second Bracket
2023 Vasse Felix Premier Chardonnay
2024 Vasse Felix Single Plot Chardonnay
2023 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay
James Suckling Top 100 Wines of Australia 2024
An intensely complex and inviting nose with aromas of lemon curd, grapefruit rind, orange blossoms and gunsmoke. The medium-bodied palate has a textural mouthfeel and vivid acidity, showing notes of lime zest, mandarin pith, fresh pineapple and cookies. Multidimensional and giving with an underlying tension. Exceptional. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
97 Points - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
he 2023 Heytesbury Chardonnay reveals all the poise and balance we expect from the season. It is awesome. This feels totally weighted on the back palate. The fruit intensity, coupled with powerful acidity and phenolic presence, fully penetrates beyond mere "flavor experience" and dives deep into the senses; the only option left is to ride that wave until it slowly fades. It's a persistent, sophisticated wine of latent power and patience. While this is released two years from harvest, it doesn't start to show its complex potential until around five years from harvest and far beyond that. It's slow to emerge and slow to age. This is a 100% Gingin clone Chardonnay, matured in French oak barriques, 52% new, for nine months, with seven months blended in tank prior to bottling.. Drink: 2028-2043.
97+ Points - Erin Larkin, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Third Bracket
2023 Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon
2022 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon
A classically elegant and exquisitely presented cabernet from a vintage that combined fruit intensity and stylishness. The aroma has a distinctive lift of blackcurrant and slightly savoury olive tapenade with a deep dark chocolate character. Hint of bay leaf and oyster shell minerality. It’s finely balanced with fine-grained oak and firm fine tannins.
96 Points - Ray Jordan, rayjordanwines.com
2017 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon (Museum Release)
Good red wines made in Margaret River in 2017 by many. Distinctive in some respects for that intense small dark berry character they have. Dense, small black berries, baking spices, aniseed, tobacco and choc-mint. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, fine cocoa powder tannin, savoury yet fruit sweet, perfumed and long. Ripper release.
94 Points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front (2020)
This has intense redcurrants and hints of red licorice with a cedary edge to the nose, too. The palate unfurls a very smoothly layered and structured take on elegantly powerful cabernet with a fresh, mouthwatering ride to the juicy, red-fruit finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
94 Points - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (2020)
Fourth Bracket
2022 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Malbec (New Release)
This is a superb wine. It’s elegant, balanced, and beautifully presented. Lifted cedary black fruits with perfumed violet and light red berry notes. The palate is beautifully integrated and woven with fine, silky chalky tannins and fine-grained oak in support. The red fruits emerge to add appeal on both the nose and the palate. A wine that is both pretty and powerful, with refinement and elegance. Perhaps the most seamless and perfectly integrated of all the Toms.
98 Points - Ray Jordan, rayjordanwines.com
The 2022 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec is superb. The season was fantastic and has been responsible for many excellent wines, wines that are both plush and precise, detailed and approachable in their youth. In character, it could be compared to the 2018 vintage for its balance and grace. Here, the tannins speak of sweet tobacco and flaked milk chocolate, bay leaf, nori and even a hint of sandalwood through the finish. The fruit is right on the raspberry spectrum, and it additionally offers notes of blood plum, cassis and mulberry. This is a superstar wine.
98 Points - Erin Larkin, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
A robust expression of this famed wine from the oldest cabernet sauvignon vines in Margaret River. Aromas of blackcurrants, black cherries, licorice and cedar with oak spices, crushed stones and potpourri. The pure, refined palate has a mineral edge, deeply scented and finely tuned with seamlessly integrated tannins. There’s a real sense of the wild Australian ecosystem here, with rainforest-like freshness and a mint-driven scent. A blend of 87% cabernet sauvignon and 13% malbec. Excellent. Drink or hold.
98 Points, Ryan Montgomery, James Suckling
2015 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Malbec (Museum Release)
The 2015 Cullity is all about finesse and power with subtle aromas and flavors of currants, plums and autumnal leaves. Full body and firm, chewy tannins that give the wine length and freshness. Just keeps on growing on the palate. Better after 2022, but already a gem to taste. Drink in 2022 and onwards.
96 Points - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (2019)
The third vintage of Tom Cullity is the best to date. This premium bottling offers threads of graphite, currants, black olives, nori, tomato leaf and roasted green peppers. These flavors, along with spicy French oak, are tightly woven with fine chalky tannins. Power and elegance share the limelight, and linearity trumps roundness and richness. Cellar through 2039.
96 Points - Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast