2013 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec

A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot, this wine is a tribute to Vasse Felix’s founder Dr Tom Cullity. Maturation took place in French oak of which 61% was new for a period of 18 months.

Totally opaque black dark red colour with a bright dark red hue. A beautifully fragrant nose yields intense yet refined aromas of red and blackcurrant as well as mulberries subtlety infused with bay leaf over some well integrated cedary tobacco characters, faint scorched earth notes and dried herbs. All class and sophistication the palate is the perfect marriage of elegance, richness and a seamlessly integrated structure. Medium bodied it shows incredible finesse and power with a formidably long flavour profile of red and blackcurrant, mulberries, cedary tobacco characters, light bay leaf infusions, faint earth and dried herbs. Sublimely integrated tannins have a graceful feel yet provide outstanding structure for long term cellaring. Exceptionally long finish of red currant, mulberries, blackcurrant, cedary tobacco characters, bay leaf, traces of earth and dried herbs. A benchmark Margaret River Cabernet that will stand the test of time.
Cellar 10-15 years.
Alc 14.5%

Other Reviews….
Wild-fermented with 28-35 days on skins, matured in French oak (61% new) for 18 months. Don't pay any attention to the slightly light colour, but certainly dwell on the gloriously fragrant bouquet and the intensity of the cassis-accented palate. This is a truly sophisticated blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 20% malbec and 4% petit verdot, with exceptional texture, length and aftertaste. Drink by 2033.
98 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion

That this is an elegant wine is the first thing to note here. The nose has hints of gravel and leafy nuances — a textbook regional expression. It's really seductive, and there's a fusion of bright and vibrant redcurrants, boysenberries and red cherries together with cassis and blue plums as well as mulberries. Some fresh, violet-like florals and freshly cut herbs also come into play along with pomegranate and deliciously fresh and cedary oak that's well played in behind vineyard-focused characters. The richer malbec fruits are clear here, and at 20% of the blend, it has a role to play, both in terms of the upfront plushness and back palate depth. The old vines are also working some magic within the layers of structure and length here. The palate's immaculate and supple, the tannins are fluid, long and polished, and there's detail here as well as depth, before things culminate in an incredibly fresh finish. Tannins are superbly elegant and truly refined. This is a wine of finesse and fine detail. Beautifully grown, perfectly captured and astutely crafted. This is everything a great wine should be and a new step for Vasse Felix, Margaret River and for Australian cabernet. Drink 2020-2030+.
99 points
Jamessuckling.com