Vasse Felix, Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon-Malbec, Margaret River, Australia, 2018

Overview of the Wine
Established in 1967 by regional pioneer Dr Tom Cullity, Vasse Felix is Margaret River's founding wine estate. Pristine isolation, ancient lands and twin oceans make Margaret River a wine paradise and one of the world’s greatest environments to grow ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. These varieties, alongside Shiraz and Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends are the primary focus at Vasse Felix. All wines are grown in Vasse Felix’s four Margaret River vineyards then vinified and bottled within the modern winery, situated at the Home Vineyard overlooking the Wilyabrup Brook. The Vasse Felix Cellar Door - also located at the Home Vineyard - is renowned. Featuring a tasting room, wine lounge, art gallery, wine museum and one of Australia's most acclaimed restaurants, visitors are welcomed from all around the world, eager for the ultimate Vasse Felix experience.

There are many things that make Vasse Felix the special place it is: the incredible environment and climate of Margaret River, their secure family ownership, their treasured heritage, and their priceless vineyards. But above all, it's the dedication of the entire team to continue Dr Cullity's original aim for Vasse Felix: "to make the best possible wine". 

Grape / Blend
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17.5% Malbec, 4.5% Petit Verdot

Origin
Margaret River, Australia

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
A very bright garnet with a purple/black tint. Such an amazing energy with transparency of vineyard environment emanating via savoury hints of native forest, red gravel and ocean spray, leaning to nori and a touch of mushroom. The fruit is vibrant, outstanding even; reminiscent of fresh boysenberries. Turkish Delight and potpourri bring fragrant beauty, while more excitement lies in spice notes of red peppercorn, Bay tree seeds and very subtle licorice. So elegant and succulent, yet with powerful structure and length. The immense, levitating body feels rich, but light - it's miraculous. The tannins are fine, present, peripheral and incredibly long, with perfume so deep it lingers on and on. A dream Cabernet Sauvignon vintage for weight, flavor preservation and balance.

98 Points - James Suckling
A great edition of the top Cabernet blend from Vasse Felix, this has a lot of power and depth. The aromas run from red to blue and dark berries with a leafy edge and attractive, fresh florals. The palate has a core of blue-toned fruit flavor that drives so deep, with a helix-like interplay of acidity and tannin. Impressive. Drink over the next decade or more.

98 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Made with 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17.5% Malbec and 4.5% Petit Verdot, this had a 100% wild ferment with 100% whole berry and was matured in French oak for 18 months (59% new). My thoughts on this excellent iteration of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, in this excellent season (unmarred by heat skies, bird threat or any kind of disease pressure), remain unchanged from the last time I tasted it. The 2018 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec joins the 2014 as two of the greatest wines every produced at Vasse Felix, and the explosive core of fruit through the middle and back palate illustrates the interminable length that this wine will endure in the cellar.

97 Points - Vinous
The super aristocratic 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Tom Cullity, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, is a densely flavoured and structured wine built for the long haul. It boasts incredible concentration yet retains its focus with ink, blackberry and blueberry fruits supported by a rich vein of new, high quality French oak. Significant volume of flavour follows, with waves of fruit plus a gravelly underbelly. A firm bed of tannins sits comfortably with the fruit and all come together to support an incredibly long finish. Benchmark Margaret River Cabernet.

97 Points - Wine Enthusiast 
Reminiscent of Margaret River’s towering eucalyptus, marri flow- ers, dusty red earth and salty Indian Ocean breeze. red currant and black cherry swirl with graphite, iodine, savory spice and dried violets. Powerful and poised, with downright sexy tannins that cradle the fruit rather than cinch it.

Product size: 750ml