Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Margaret River 2014

98 points James Suckling: "This is a single-vineyard wine at the pinnacle of the endeavors of Vasse Felix. Opens with red fruits in the redcurrant and red-cherry zone, showcasing fresh red and purple flowers and some deeper blue-fruit notes. The palate's the thing though: The way in which the malbec entwines itself around cabernet's linear tannins and enriches the wine without fundamentally changing its shape is genius. Supple, fresh and commanding Margaret River red. A very insightful blend of predominantly cabernet sauvignon with 16% malbec and 4% petit verdot. Best from 2022. Screw cap. (1/1/18)"

97 points James Halliday (Wine Companion): "The ship slowly turns and sets sail for the future. It's not the deepest or darkest of wines at first but give it time to breathe and the reach and power is something to behold. It tastes of blackcurrant and camphor, bay leaves and black olives, smoky oak applied as an infusion rather than as anything terribly overt. Flavour: most certainly. Tannic power: oh yes. Explosive length: most definitely. Time will be this wine's friend. Alcohol 14.5%. Drink By: 2039. (Aug 2018)"

17++/20 points Jancis Robinson: "80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot. 19 months in (61% new) French oak. Tasted blind. Looks lighter and paler than most. A little bit simpler than some. Sweet start. Very transparent. Sort of deceptively simple -- Dom de Chevalier? Alcohol 14.5%. Drink: 2022-2038. Date tasted: 17 Nov 2017. (1/2/18)"

Producer notes: "80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot. Vasse Felix, Margaret River's founding wine estate, was established by Dr Thomas Brendan Cullity in 1967. Among his first plantings were Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec vines, from which he produced the estate’s first red wine. The Tom Cullity descends from these original vines and represents the pinnacle of Vasse Felix. Appearance: Light maroon with a purple tinge. Nose: A very pointed and pristine perfume with immense complexity. Lively fruit from this vintage is preserved precisely. The oak and savoury complexity is intricately interwoven yet the immense power of the fruit, while delicate, is brimming with character. Notes of red currant, cranberry jam and raspberry pips give way to agar, gravel, a hint of peppermint tree, mushroom and bark. Palate: The palate is vibrant with mouth-watering cranberry freshness and while light, is juicy, precise and balanced with remarkable fine grained tannins. Long cassis and cherry pip flavoured tannins create a dry and fine finish. A significant Cabernet of uniquely delicate proportions. Alcohol 14.5%. Cellaring: Now until 2038."