Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on January 25, 2025 at Home with Tom, Kathy, Mark and Lucille]

Purchased during September 2022 visit to the winery. “Billet Doux” means “Love Note” in French. 58% Semillon; 36% Sauvignon Blanc and 6% Muscat. Late harvest dessert wine in style of Sauternes. Mango, apricot, mandarin orange and peach fruit, with honey and ginger. Sweet and rich with nice balance. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

See many previous notes on Delectable, as recently as 22 weeks ago. Getting to the end of a dozen originally bought. I might have one left. This is the 2nd best Cabernet blend from VF. Originally the premium Cuvée was Heytesbury, now called Tom Cullity. This is probably the best rated “2nd Cuvée” in Margaret River. M+ intensity, touch of menthol, all the classic Cabernet descriptors including capsicum (bell pepper). Very enjoyable from a good vintage. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Founded 1972, Tom & Sally Jordan, from CO, went to CA’s wine country & produced inaugural vintage in 1976. A Fav of mine with a steak, and the ‘17 hits the mark! Blend of mostly Cab Sauv with Merlot, Petit Verdot & Malbec. Deep Ruby with aromas of red fruit, floral & spice. On the palate flavors of cherry, blackberry and fig with oak, sweet spice, leather & cacao notes. Rich tannins, well balanced and integrated with fruit & oak. Very Nice! — 3 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2015 vintage. This 5.5 hectare estate was owned by famous consultant Alain Raynaud who sold it in 2016 to Tom Sullivan. Mainly Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. Attractive nose with red fruits, cedar wood and a hint of truffle. Structured, a little severe still, but good balance and complexity. Will benefit from further bottle ageing. Decanting recommended if you want to enjoy it now. — 4 years ago

Doug Powers

9.0

I agree with @Tom Casagrande’s detailed review from 2022 of this lovely 100% cement-fermented, old large foudre-aged Spanish Syrah from Navarra, dark color, pure aromatics, good acidity, lingering finish, pretty impressive Syrah!! — 5 months ago

with Jim

Bob McDonald

9.1

Nose not giving much initially - just an earthy note - fairly contained. Probably opened a little young? The next night it showed red fruited aromatics of raspberry and strawberry. Very fine on the palate and quite delicious. The winemaker and owner Tom Carson with his French wife, Nadege, just won Viticulturalist of the year 2 days ago in the Halliday Wine Awards. They also import a range of Burgundies. In his “spare time “ Tom is also the winemaker at the highly regarded Yabby Lake. — 3 years ago

Bruce Leboff

9.1

Classic Tom Eddy - big wine full of dark fruit and blackberries on the nose. Tannins are there - giving a good backbone- but feels a bit astringent in the mid palate… a little less alcohol ( it’s a whopping 15.8%) would probably have served for a more balanced wine. — 4 years ago

with David

Andy Stabile

9.3

Bigger than most Barbarescos… earthy and dry, some must, some spice. Lovely on the tongue. Light florals. Not overpowering. Classic Italian tart / cran. Even a lemony finish.
X-Mas gift from Tom& Sal from Le Volpi e l'Uva, Florence… their Northern Italian Wine Club this year. The rest of the case is headed for the cellar. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Pepper and spice and all things nice as the saying goes as well as a violet note. Very youthful at 10 years of age. The following night a blackcurrant peppery note. Good persistence and length on the medium bodied palate. Tom Carson, the owner and winemaker of Serrat (a Catalonian word meaning close planting - in this case 8800 vines per hectare - one bottle of wine per vine). Tom is also the chief winemaker at Yabby Lake and an in demand Show Judge with a very good palate - Serrat is his private venture with French wife, Nadege. They also import a small excellent range of Burgundy. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

From the Mornington Peninsula (although the fruit for this Pinot Noir came from the Yarra Valley ) - this is Tom Carson’s personal project when he’s not making wine for Yabby Lake - his main job. This had strawberry and other red fruits like cherry and a small whole bunch influence. Oak is dialled right back. A medium weight palate that is yet to show its full potential. First of 3 purchased and somewhat closed. Will leave having the 2nd for a couple of years. — 4 years ago