Ever opened a bottle of wine and immediately regretted it? 
That was the case at the weekend when I tasted the 2022 vintage release of Vasse Felix's benchmark Tom Cullity cabernet blend.
It was dark and inky, complex and full, a quality statement; but also taut and very young.
The 2022 Tom Cullity will, in my opinion, be a much better drink in five years or more.
Unfortunately when you write about wine and are sent a sample the expectation is that you will taste and review right away - not five years down the track.
"We recently tasted through 10 years of this wine and the Tom Cullitty 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," says winemaker Virginia Willcock.
"The 2022 simply looks vibrant, energetic, powerful and delicious. It is our timeless tribute from the original vines that shaped Margaret River cabernet."
Made from cabernet sauvignon (87%) with a small amount of malbec (14%) this vintage, Tom Cullitty has become an icon over the past decade.
Willcock says the Vasse Felix team has "consistently found the wine is ready to drink after two years in the bottle, or three-and-a-half years of age".
It is a good wine now, but I suspect it will be great, so I'm taking a chance on disagreeing with a leading winemaker and show judge.
The 2022 Vasse Felix Tom Cullitty is made from fruit grown on 55-year-old vines, honours a regional pioneer who planted the Vasse Felix vineyards and will set you back $200 a bottle. It would make a terrific Christmas present.
No comments:
Post a Comment