99 Points James Halliday | Margaret River Power with Grace and Balance

My Wine Man on Vasse Felix

Vasse Felix is one of the defining names of Margaret River Cabernet, a producer whose appeal rests on the balance between expressive fruit, savoury detail and structure. Tom Cullity offers a particularly compelling expression of that identity: a Cabernet Sauvignon–Malbec blend with the density for the cellar and the detail to make every glass worth lingering over.

The 2018 is about power held in balance. Its fruit has real weight, but the tannins are integrated into the wine rather than standing apart from it. Coastal, herbal and earthy nuances weave through the richness, giving this Margaret River red a distinctive sense of place. This is a bottle to open thoughtfully, with time, generous glasses and a meal that lets its layers unfold.

Tasting Notes

Blood plum, cassis and blackberry form a concentrated core, lifted by pomegranate and raspberry. Juniper, saltbush and bay leaf bring aromatic complexity, with salted red liquorice adding a savoury accent. Kelp, nori, iodine, red gravel and brine deepen the coastal character. The palate is dense and weighty yet graceful, its firm, chewy tannins shaped into the fruit. Richness and savoury freshness carry through an expansive, persistent finish. 99 Points, James Halliday.

Style & Drinking Window

Full-bodied, concentrated and built around substantial but integrated savoury tannins. Our suggested drinking window is 2026–2045, depending on storage and your preference for youthful fruit or mature complexity. For drinking now, start with a 1–2 hour decant and taste as it opens; serve at 16–18°C. Further cellaring should suit drinkers who enjoy more developed, earthy and savoury expressions of Cabernet-based blends.

Food Pairing

The concentrated cassis and blood-plum fruit, savoury tannins and coastal freshness of the 2018 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec make it a luxurious match for Australian Sher Wagyu Sirloin M5 Steak (Frozen) from My Meat Man. The wine's blackberry and plum flavours complement the Wagyu's rich, succulent texture beautifully, while bay leaf, salted liquorice and briny nuances echo the savoury depth of a well-browned crust. Its firm tannins give the pairing structure, whether the sirloin is charcoal-grilled, pan-seared in a hot skillet, or reverse-seared and finished over high heat. Keep the seasoning simple so the wine's layered fruit and the beef's character remain centre stage.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$1,388, this is a considered purchase for a special dinner or a patient cellar. Its case rests on more than the 99-point Halliday score: the 2018 combines concentrated fruit, integrated structure and a distinctive coastal-savoury character. For drinkers who value complexity and balance alongside power, it offers a compelling expression of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, with the benefit of time since vintage.

Looking for a Different Style?

2016 Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon: focused cassis and firm tannins, with classic Margaret River precision.

2017 Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon: cedar, cassis and a refined, classically structured profile.

2021 Greenock Creek Cabernet Sauvignon: a richer Barossa expression with opulent dark fruit and structured depth.