Elegant with incredible purity of fruit. Perfumed aromas of red and black currants, juicy ripe plums and tobacco leaves with bitter chocolate, crushed blackberries, dried herbs and cedar. The midweight palate is succulent but not fat, showing finely integrated tannins and great depth. A beautiful, superbly approachable wine that still has a long life ahead in bottle. Great tension and minerality. A blend of 81% cabernet sauvignon and 19% malbec. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
The 2021 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec was released just earlier this year in 2025, and this will be the only year in which there will be two releases of the wine in the same calendar year. The Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec has been brought forward in its release cycle to three and a half years from harvest, while the Heytesbury Chardonnay—the estate's flagship white wine—has been pushed back into the following year. So in context, the 2021 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec is lighter and finer than all of the previous vintage releases, and it shows more of an emphasis on tannin than fruit. I like this, as it is a reflection of the challenging season from whence it came: warm conditions—not hot—and with constant rainfall. This rainfall also brought with it cloud cover, and the harvest started the latest of all vintages, with the exception of the cool 2017 and 2019 seasons. This is a lovely wine, one that defies and encompasses its year.
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.
The 2021 Tom Cullity showcases the cooler season, with wintergreen and cedar elements leading, well supported by fleshy blackcurrant and mulberry aromas. The nose is punchy and the palate is firmly structured, evoking an old world expression due to sinewy tannins that sit comfortably in balance with considerable power before a finish of exceptional length. Very young and needs a little time to come together.
Rich and succulent, with bittersweet chocolate, espresso and dried cherry flavors that mingle with rosemary and wild sage aromatics on a dense but polished frame. Details of fresh loam, cigar box and star anise linger, with incredible length and focus.
Winery Notes
Appearance: Ruby with a purple hue.
Nose: a deep perfume of wild berries reveals distinctive savoury characters, woodsy Margaret River Forest and briny ocean breeze. Intense and powerful with dried rose petal and violet paired with earthy aromas of mushrooms, the spice of fresh cedar, and linseed oil. Hints of peppermint tree leaves are complemented by enticing notes of a canelé pastry and dark chocolate.
Palate: Incredibly luscious, rich fruit builds into a long, fine, powdery tannin structure. Refreshing floral notes are expressed throughout the palate with lingering blackcurrant and blackberry. Medium bodied, the complexity of ocean and nori influence pairs beautifully with notes of chocolate, leather polish and exotic spices. An elegant, palpable and clean dry finish with earthy power and wild berry custard tart rounding out this complex palate.