2016 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec

97 POINTS

Jane Faulkner - Halliday's 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

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. Drink or hold. This has a long life ahead. Screw cap.

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

Decanter World Wine Awards 2020 - Gold

Perfumed with exotic spice, incense, blackcurrant flower and plush plum, while the palate is textured with lush, rich fruit and a neat acidity.

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.

95 POINTS

Joe Czerwinski - 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.

92 POINTS

Wine Spectator

There's an elegance and juiciness to the bright red fruit flavors and notes of spiced plum at the core, with pretty details of matcha green tea, nutmeg and toasted herb. Cumin, black pepper and cedar accents linger on the finish, where the tannins firm up. Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now through 2030. 1,000 cases made, 90 cases imported.