Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2016

97 POINTS

Jane Faulkner - Halliday Wine Companion

It's a pleasure to spend time with Tom Cullity. This is all about refinement. It has a presence and a whole lot of detail. The fruit savoury and sweet, the iodine and graphite character of the malbec infused into the DNA. There are also finely chiselled tannins, lively acidity and a length like no tomorrow. Sure there's a power and energy, but the wine's defining feature is elegance.

96 POINTS

Josh Raynolds - Vinous

Deep ruby. Expansive aromas of red and dark berry preserves, incense, black pepper, candied rose and allspice; suggestions of cured tobacco and vanilla build as the wine opens up. Seamless and broad on the palate, offering impressively concentrated yet lithe bitter cherry, cassis, licorice and floral pastille flavors that turn sweeter through the back half. Shows outstanding energy and sharp definition on a strikingly long, floral- and mineral-accented finish given shape by polished, fine-grained tannins.

96 POINTS

James Suckling

This has a very complex, integrated array of red-plum, redcurrant and mulberry aromas with cedary nuances, as well as forest wood, fresh earth, graphite, pepper, leaves, shitake mushrooms and more. The palate is finely layered with grainy, powerful tannin and gives an overall impression of focused power with deeply rich dark berries, plums, berries and mulberries. Seamlessly composed. This has a long life ahead.

96 POINTS

Huon Hooke - The Real Review

Deep, bright red/purple colour. Very attractive fresh violet, rose, blueberry, raspberry aromas, some cassis as welll, the oak well tucked in. Lots of floral high-notes. It's intense and firm in the mouth, with a little austerity in its tannins. It's been built to last, no doubt, and is arguably not quite ready. Elegance is notable. A pristine cabernet with a long and exciting future ahead of it, for the patient. (78% cabernet sauvignon, 20% malbec, 2% petit verdot)

96 POINTS

Christina Pickard - Wine Enthusiast

This wine bears the unmistakable character of the region through notes of black currant, cedar, olive brine, bay leaf and cigar box. Layers of texture and flavor flow over the tongue, knit together by a powdery, fine line of tannins. Oak is present but should integrate seamlessly with time in bottle. It's a classy wine that walks a tightrope of power and elegance. Drink 2022–2040.

96 POINTS

2020 - Decanter World Wine Awards

Perfumed with exotic spice, incense, blackcurrant flower and plush plum, while the palate is textured with lush, rich fruit and a neat acidity. Award: Gold - DWWA 2020

95 POINTS

Joe Czerwinski - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Nearly as impressive as the 2014 on this occasion, the 2016 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec is inky dark and concentrated, with youthful oaky notes of cedar and vanilla joining blueberries and cassis. It's full-bodied, rich and velvety in the mouth, ending with a stupendously long and luxuriously plush finish. It should drink well for two decades.

95 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

This wine was made with 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. It had a 100% wild ferment with 100% whole berry and was matured in French oak for 19 months (80% new). The 2016 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec has it all. It is fleshy, ripe, firmly tannic (yet ductile and pliable), luscious in its fruit display (black and purple berries) and seamless in its flow of tannin. It's a brilliant wine, glossy and polished. This will live for eons.