2022 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Malbec, Margaret River

A robust expression of this famed wine from the oldest cabernet sauvignon vines in Margaret River. Aromas of blackcurrants, black cherries, licorice and cedar with oak spices, crushed stones and potpourri. The pure, refined palate has a mineral edge, deeply scented and finely tuned with seamlessly integrated tannins. There’s a real sense of the wild Australian ecosystem here, with rainforest-like freshness and a mint-driven scent. A blend of 87% cabernet sauvignon and 13% malbec. Excellent. Drink or hold.

98 points jamessuckling.com

The 2022 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec is superb. The season was fantastic and has been responsible for many excellent wines, wines that are both plush and precise, detailed and approachable in their youth. In character, it could be compared to the 2018 vintage for its balance and grace. Here, the tannins speak of sweet tobacco and flaked milk chocolate, bay leaf, nori and even a hint of sandalwood through the finish. The fruit is right on the raspberry spectrum, and it additionally offers notes of blood plum, cassis and mulberry. This is a superstar wine.

98 points robertparker.com

This is a superb wine. It’s elegant, balanced, and beautifully presented. Lifted cedary black fruits with perfumed violet and light red berry notes. The palate is beautifully integrated and woven with fine, silky chalky tannins and fine-grained oak in support. The red fruits emerge to add appeal on both the nose and the palate. A wine that is both pretty and powerful, with refinement and elegance. Perhaps the most seamless and perfectly integrated of all the Toms.

98 points rayjordanwine.com.au

Violets and dark berries on the nose, with a touch of regional nori/seaweed; reserved and intense, taut and quietly powerful with concentrated flavour and a juicy mid-palate. Full-fisted grip to finish. An elegant and beautifully proportioned wine. (87% cabernet sauvignon, 13% malbec. 18 months in French oak, 65% new) 01 Sep 2025

97 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com #3 of 42 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon blends from Margaret River

87/13% cabernet/malbec; low yields of the latter meant the smallest addition into Tom Cullity to date. All up spent 18 months in French oak barriques, 65% new. While in a richer framework, with plentiful flavour and structure, this remains in a Vasse Felix spectrum – so it’s refined and beautifully detailed. From this vintage onwards, the flagship red will be released on October 1st, a good six or so months earlier than before. Why? Winemaker Virginia Willcock says matter-of-factly, 'because it’s ready'. It sure is, as this feels open and giving, starting with its vibrant and enticing ruby hue. Heady aromatics of violets, red fruits, mulberries, peppi tree, wood smoke and some Middle Eastern spices. The fuller-bodied palate builds with slightly silty tannins. It's very textural, with lithe acidity drawing it out long. While there’s a core of very good fruit, it’s savoury in outlook.

97 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

There are few wines in Australia that carry the same sense of origin story as Tom Cullity. In 1967, cardiologist Dr Tom Cullity planted the first commercial vines in Margaret River at Vasse Felix, driven by instinct, research and a quiet conviction that this maritime corner of Western Australia could produce world class Cabernet. Today the flagship Cabernet Malbec bearing his name represents the finest fruit from the Wilyabrup estate vineyards, crafted with precision and patience to reflect both heritage and the remarkable clarity of this coastal terroir.

A deep garnet crimson fills the glass with gravitas. Aromas unfold slowly, revealing layers of cassis, mulberry and black cherry interwoven with cedar, graphite, violets and a gentle whisper of dried bay leaf. There is an unmistakable Margaret River signature here, combining fruit purity with savoury complexity and beautifully integrated oak.

The palate is sculpted and commanding yet refined, delivering concentrated blackcurrant and dark plum framed by finely structured tannins and vibrant natural acidity. Subtle notes of dark chocolate, tobacco leaf and spice build through the mid palate, leading to a long mineral driven finish that feels both powerful and graceful. Built for longevity, this wine will evolve magnificently over fifteen to twenty years, gaining tertiary layers of truffle, leather and cigar box nuance.

This is a red made for unforgettable tables and serious cooking. Imagine it alongside Marco Pierre White’s slow roasted rib of beef, Chris Manfield’s spice crusted lamb, or Elizabeth David’s classic roast venison with herbs and root vegetables. Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Malbec captures the soul of Margaret River in its most complete form, a collector’s wine for candlelit dinners, milestone celebrations and moments when only something truly iconic will do.