"That this is an elegant wine is the first thing to note here. The nose has hints of gravel and leafy nuances — a textbook regional expression. It's really seductive, and there's a fusion of bright and vibrant redcurrants, boysenberries and red cherries together with cassis and blue plums as well as mulberries. Some fresh, violet-like florals and freshly cut herbs also come into play along with pomegranate and deliciously fresh and cedary oak that's well played in behind vineyard-focused characters. The richer malbec fruits are clear here, and at 20% of the blend, it has a role to play, both in terms of the upfront plushness and back palate depth. The old vines are also working some magic within the layers of structure and length here. The palate's immaculate and supple, the tannins are fluid, long and polished, and there's detail here as well as depth, before things culminate in an incredibly fresh finish. Tannins are superbly elegant and truly refined. This is a wine of finesse and fine detail. Beautifully grown, perfectly captured and astutely crafted. This is everything a great wine should be and a new step for Vasse Felix, Margaret River and for Australian cabernet. Drink 2020-2030+." (#3 Top 100 AUS Wines of 2016)

"Wild fermented, 28-35 days on skins; matured in French oak (61% new) for 18 months. Slightly light colour; gloriously fragrant bouquet; intense cassisaccented palate. 76% cabernet sauvignon, 20% malbec, 4% petit verdot; exceptional texture, length and aftertaste."

“Vivid red. Highly expressive cassis, boysenberry and incense aromas are complemented by suggestions of potpourri and exotic spices. Seamless and sharply delineated on the palate, offering alluringly sweet dark berry, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that show impressive depth and a building mineral quality. Tightens up slowly and shows superb energy on the incisive finish, which clings with noteworthy tenacity and smooth, well-knit tannins."

“The inaugural release retains a youthfully vibrant, juicy core of violet-edged cherry and fleshier plum fruit, but the overall demeanour is savoury and supple, with pronounced bitter chocolate, cedar, baking spices, warm terracotta and balsamic aromas and flavours. Lifted mint, sage, dried rose and bay leaf hints emerge with time in the glass. Suffused with fine but expansive tannins, this mid-weight, complex Cabernet blend finishes long, with balanced acidity.”

"The inaugural release retains a youthfully vibrant, juicy core of violet-edged cherry and fleshier plum fruit, but the overall demeanour is savoury and supple, with pronounced bitter chocolate, cedar, baking spices, warm terracotta and balsamic aromas and flavours. Lifted mint, sage, dried rose and bay leaf hints emerge with time in the glass. Suffused with fine but expansive tannins, this mid-weight, complex Cabernet blend finishes long, with balanced acidity."

"Virginia Willcock makes this wine from the Vasse Felix Home Vineyard, which Tom Cullity first planted in 1967. This vintage, from a warm summer and a long, cool harvest season, layers gentle, savory tannins and honeyed blue fruit. Focused on cabernet sauvignon (76 percent), with malbec (20 percent) and petit verdot, it’s a young, minty red that needs bottle age to develop, or short ribs to show itself more fully."

“Beautiful nose, floral tinge here alongside graphite, tobacco and a subtle forest character. Just showing a little secondary leafy character. The savoury side of Malbec comes through. This has seamless tannins and a mocha- and rose-tinged palate. Good acidity. Crushed cassis, gravel and fresh meat with a note of eucalyptus.”– 18 points out of 20