2014 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec

The 2014 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec is a supple, succulent thing, and the wine remains as perfumed and as lithe as I remember it being on release. Today, it is 11 years from its harvest, and while it is showing attractive development, it is showing no signs of slowing its slow evolution through time. It is an eloquent reflection of the year that birthed it.

Opulent and open knit aromas of brick dust, fine cedar, pressed florals, nori, warm gravel and graphite. The floral notes build into the wine with air adding further prettiness. The palate is more broad shouldered and textural while maintaining at shot of elegance through the fruit. Plum, cedar, gravel, bay leaf, graphite. There's good firm structure here, with the tannins more stacked and grainy in feel. Good length through the finish. This could go another year or three with ease.

Alongside only a handful of other wines, I believe this is one of the very best Cabernets to come out of Margaret River in this brilliant year. So, the 2014 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec is effortless in its flow of raspberry pip and star anise, nori and sun-dried kelp, bay leaf, saltbush, tobacco ... the list of interesting and delicious flavors goes on and on. Suffice to say, both alone and in this context, this wine is one of the greats, and it has barely scratched the surface in its evolution over time. The tannins are a highlight for me: chewy, chalky, profuse and laced through every aspect of the palate and finish. Super. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.