2021 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec

Named in honour of Vasse Felix’s founder Thomas Brendan Cullity who planted the first vines in 1967, this wine is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 19% Malbec sourced from the original plantings. Maturation took place in French oak barriques (68% new and 32% 2-4 year old) for a period of 16 months.

Other Reviews....
Today, I am tasting this 2021 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec for the first time, as it will be released in several months from now. The growing season in 2021 in Margaret River was challenging. In relation to Cabernet Sauvignon and later-ripening reds, it was wet at times, humid at times, and disease pressure was persistent. Diligent viticulture was the winner. This is certainly lighter and finer than many of the other wines in the lineup—2017 being the exception—but the tannins feel seamless and powdery, perfectly dovetailed into the fruit. This is a beautiful wine and triumphant in the year that was. It is super, one of the finest 2021 Cabernets to be released from Margaret River in this year. Composed of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Malbec, picked between March 30 and April 9, it fermented with whole berries and wild yeast and matured in 100% French oak for 16 and a half months, 68% new. It has the same pH (3.52) and total acidity (6.1) as the 2017. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2025-2046.
97+ points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Often when a structured and very young flagship wine is up for tasting, I’ll assess it initially, maybe try it with food, and spend a couple of days thinking about it and retasting. They need respect. But this time, I poured a big glass of Tom Cullity and enjoyed it immediately, as it’s approachable and complete. Even a few days later, no signs of fading. This is exceptional. There’s a certain refinement within, almost open-knit. A whorl of dark fruit, from mulberries to red berries, very spicy, very savoury, ferrous, full of nori, licorice, florals and more. It’s complex, shaped by beautifully defined tannins, the length long, the pleasure factor 10 out of 10 with ageability the same. Drink 2025-2045.
97 points
Jane Faulkner - James Halliday's Wine Companion

A blend of 81% cabernet sauvignon and 19% malbec. No PV this year. The wine feels rested and ready to roll.
Beautiful perfume, that’s the big invitation; a shopping trolley list of all kinds of berries, red and black, purple even, with whiffs of sea spray, sandalwood, mahogany, salt bush, black tea and dark chocolate. The palate delivers a similar array of descriptors, though its the filigree of fine tannin that delivers the impact here – a silky draw that builds on sleek sheets of grip and pixilated texture. That the wine is medium weight, near refreshing in its energy and trails off with immense, sweet fruit, earthy spice and black tea persistence is just added charm. A beautiful wine. Drink 2025-2040+.
95+ points
Mike Bennie - The Wine Front