New Release Reds – June 2025
Barry Weinman: 11th June 2025
The 2021 Tom Cullity is one of the finest wines from Margaret River that I have had the pleasure of tasting. And the 2023 Diana Madeline is a superstar.
But what had the panel talking was the 2022 Blackstone Paddock from Aldi. Sensational value.
It has been a while since the panel has reviewed any wines from Yalumba and the panel was uniformly in gold medal territory with the 2022 The Signature. There is a degree of velvety generosity that makes this a delightful wine to drink, even at this early stage.
Reviewed
Yalumba – The Signature – Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz – 2022. Delicious!. This is a riper, more accessible wine than the Margaret River cabernets, and a fantastic counterpoint to those cooler region wines. Mint? Yes, blackcurrant? Yes. This has all the trademarks of high-quality cabernet, but there is another layer to this wine, with plum, liquorice and gentle spices all adding to the package. Excellent length and persistence are a highlight, while the acidity keeping the whole package alive and fresh. Superb tannin management adds to the textural charm. Wonderful wine. 14.4% alc, 96pts.
Vasse Felix – Tom Cullity – Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec – 2021. OMG, this has the most fantastic nose. Ripe blueberry and blackcurrant fruit positively leaps from the glass, supported by a frame of supple oak. The palate is, if anything, even more exciting, and a brilliant expression of super premium cabernet. A remarkable wine that is brilliant now, but will be even better with time in the cellar. My wine of the 2021 vintage from Margaret River and a superstar. 19% Malbec, 16 months in French oak barriques (68% new), 14.0% alc, 97+pts.
Cullen – Diana Madeline – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2023. Oh my, this is also spectacular, but presenting in a very different way. Here, the silky fruit is everything. Ripe, yet restrained, this has poise and grace. In the mouth, the cascade of fruit continues to excite, with the finest, most polished tannins providing an invisible lattice of support, yet contributing greatly to the mouthfeel and sense of power and gravitas. An exceptional wine. now to 20yrs +. Cassis. 13.5% alc, 96pts
Blackstone Paddock – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2022. OK, so lets get one thing clear. This was not as good as the Tom Cullity or Diana Madeline, but… for $20, it is a spectacular buy.
Darker fruit notes, firms structure and real depth to the fruit. If anything, this has echoes of Bordeaux to the way it sits in the mouth. There is plenty of power and firm tannins, suggesting that 5 – 10 years cellaring would be handsomely repaid. Get it while you can from Aldi. 14.5% alc, 95pts – $22.
Wolf Blass – Black Label – Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz – 2018. Given my preconceptions of this wine as a big, rich and powerful wine, it is remarkable restrained and polished. The fruit is silky and supple and has an almost medium-bodied feel to it. But there is depth and intensity sitting behind this, supported by supple oak that really adds to the silky mouthfeel. Ultimately, this is closed and just a baby, but it is a lovely wine all the same. 14.5% alc, 95pts.