Recommended Retail Price: $135.00
Varietal: Cabernet Blend
Region: Margaret River
Cellaring to: 2080
Langtons Classification: Exceptional
Overview
Cullen’s is one of the pioneers of Margaret River, and has always produced long-lived wines of highly individual style from the mature estate vineyards. The vineyard has progressed beyond organic to biodynamic certification and, subsequently, has become the first vineyard and winery in Australia to be certified carbon neutral. This requires the calculation of all the carbon used and CO2 emitted in the winery; the carbon is then offset by the planting of new trees. Winemaking is in the hands of Vanya Cullen, daughter of the founders
The Dianna Madeline is one of Australia’s defining cabernets with the highest possible Langtons classification.
Winery Link: https://www.cullenwines.com.au/
Expert Reviews
Ray Jordan The West Australian
I’ve been waiting for this wine to be released, knowing how good the 2018 vintage was in Margaret River. In fact, it goes further than my loft expectations. Super-concentrated deep black currant, mulberry and dark, plummy, chocolate flavours. There is an extraordinary brightness and vitality on the nose with exotic violet perfumes. Impeccably poised. A wine that will drink well into the second half of this century.
Score: 99/100
Huon Hooke The Real Review
Deep, bright, youthful, concentrated purple/red colour which stains the glass. The aroma is fresh and young, fruit-driven and impressively concentrated; essency, with masses of blueberry, cassis, violet and blackberry flavours, underlined by a firm tannin backbone. There is cedar aplenty and loads of cabernet character. The tannins are very firm and it needs more time to mellow. The concentration has ramped up to a new level here. A high-quality wine of enormous potential. (79% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot, 6% cabernet franc, 5% malbec, aged in 50% new oak)
Score: 97/100
Gary Walsh The Wine Front
New label. Looks more like the Vanya offering now. I like it. Exquisitely perfumed and balanced Cabernet of perfect proportion and weight. Flowers, cherry, dark chocolate, spicy biscuit and lead pencils. Depth of fruit and concentration, yet still comes over as svelte and fine, with freshness and fragrance, earthy bass notes, a rich seam of graphite tannin, and a long resonant finish. It’s a sensational vintage for Cullen Cabernet
Score: 97/100