Cullen Diana Madeline 2021

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Case of 6+ bottles: only $189.00/bottle!
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Accolades:
98/100 – Ray Jordan
98/100 – Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
97/100 – Decanter
97/100 – James Halliday Wine Companion
97/100 – Huon Hooke, The Real Review
96+/100 – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
96/100 – James Suckling

“Fragrant, spicy, mineral and elegant, as befits a cooler and fortunately low-yielding vintage, with rainfall during the growing season and harvest. Lovely cedar and graphite detail to the saturating plum and mulberry fruit. A youthfully firm acid line and fine-textured terracotta tannins cut a swathe through (yet are softened by) the fruit, making for a harmonious, persistent palate. 100% biodynamic barriques and puncheons, 50% new, with 11% amphora-fermented.” – Decanter

“Diana Madeline. The name evokes a lot of emotions, for what the woman stood for then and what the wine stands for now. The 2021 vintage equals 50 years of cabernet sauvignon plantings at Cullen. When released in early 2023, it was on what would have been her 100th birthday. It’s a wine that can come from nowhere else, so strong is its sense of place. Expect to swoon over aromas of roses, violets and mulberries doused in baking spices, a ferruginous quality as much as detailed if persuasive tannins. It’s complex, complete and structured. Gosh, what a wine. What a woman. The perfect combination.” – James Halliday Wine Companion

“The 2021 Diana Madeline is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon (91%), Merlot (4%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Malbec (2%). The only other time since the first 1995 vintage of this wine (formerly labeled as the Cabernet Merlot) that the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon has crested 90% or higher was the 2016 vintage, which saw 93% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2021 vintage in Margaret River was an interesting one, with several climate curveballs thrown at viticulturists during key times during the harvest season. Here, the fruit was handpicked on biodynamic fruit and flower days across five picks from the middle of March to the Super Moon flower day two weeks later. The wine was matured in French oak for 15 months (50% new). This 2021 is a lean, mineral rendition of the Diana Madeline, with bay leaf, rose petals, cassis, bramble and black tea forming layers that settle in the mouth. The tannins are grippy and very fine, causing one to chew slightly as one drinks. This is ethereal, as these wines often are, yet with line and length that belies its pretty curves and textures. The perfect, ideal apogee for this wine’s drinking window is in the future. Get it while you can.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“Very deep, bright purple-red colour; wonderful fragrance of red and blue fruits, violets and subtle herbal notes, the palate is very full bodied and loaded with tannins, a big wine of awesome concentration and arresting structure, with terrific drive and power. Long, long finish. It’s just a babe and has a big future. This really has some wow factor. Drink 2026-2051.” – Huon Hooke, The Real Review

“This is a triumph for the vineyard in what was a challenging year in Margaret River. Low yields, birds and rain events all conspired to make things tough but a rigorous biodynamic approach in the vineyard and later in the winery has resulted in a magnificent expression of a slightly cooler climate Margaret River cabernet. High end florals on the nose with notes of violet and red berry overpaying the deeper blackcurrant concentration. The oak is well managed and integrated with the tannins firm and chalky providing the structure to support extended ageing. A worthy commemoration of family matriarch Diana Cullen who would have been 100 this year.” – Ray Jordan

“A nose of blackcurrant, tobacco leaf, graphite and moss. Medium- to full-bodied with chewy, structured tannins. Linear onto the palate with an array of black fruit and savory herbs. Oolong and bark. Lovely balance and depth. A bit closed at the moment but will open and expand with some age. 91% cabernet sauvignon, 4% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 2% malbec. From biodynamically grown grapes. Best after 2025.” – James Suckling

Tasting Note: 100% Cullen Vineyard. 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, Fruit and flower days between 12th and 28th March, including a MOSH fruit and a super Moon flower day. Aged 15 months in 50% new oak. Deep garnett mulberry, purple meniscus. Cherries, ironstone, dark chocolate, cedar, rose, plum; the aromas singing with sweet power on this flower day of tasting, lifting out of the glass and filling the room. A truely profound wine with great depth ,length, and concentration. The fine tannins wrap around the front palate and the flavours of plum, salty plum, dark chocolate, cherry, cedar, rose and sandalwood flow energetically,.. leaving a long , juicy unctuous finish. The complexity reflects the vines; 50 years since planting.

Certification: Organic, Biodynamic

Alcohol: 13.5%

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon blend

Region: Margaret River, Western Australia