2016 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec

The 2016 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec is rich and powerful, with a robust fruit profile and firm tannins. For all the descriptors, it remains an elegant wine in the wider context of Cabernet from Margaret River, yet today, it shows to be of firm textural disposition than its vintage siblings. Here, it has dark chocolate and notes of charcuterie, licorice, nori and tapenade. The tannins, while profuse, are agile and flexible.

Cedar and dry extract aromas kick things off before blackcurrant, tilled earth, blood plum, terra cotta and black olive. The palate is broad shouldered and powerful, coating the mouth with plum, cassis, brick dust, earth and espresso before big tannins wrap around the mouth and coat the teeth, driving the wine to good length. A higher octane expression, more about muscular power than detail and grace. One to drink now with food.

Deep ruby. Expansive aromas of red and dark berry preserves, incense, black pepper, candied rose and allspice; suggestions of cured tobacco and vanilla build as the wine opens up. Seamless and broad on the palate, offering impressively concentrated yet lithe bitter cherry, cassis, licorice and floral pastille flavors that turn sweeter through the back half. Shows outstanding energy and sharp definition on a strikingly long, floral- and mineral-accented finish given shape by polished, fine-grained tannins.