The 2019 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec is the first Tom Cullity without Petit Verdot (composed solely of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Malbec), and it hits differently because of it—no surprise there. On the nose, this is decidedly blue and black fruited, layered with resin and licorice, blueberry and star anise, hints of arnica and nori, with inflections of peat and tobacco, alpine mint (?) and mulberry. Usually, I see an unfettered core of raspberry in this wine, but in this year, it leans heavily on the darker end of the spectrum. On the palate, the wine is supple, spicy and fine, with blackberry coulis, cracked black peppercorns and fine acid that curls through the tannin structure. Tightly coiled currently and silky in its way, it's a super wine. It has a midnight sort of flow. I like it. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.