New Release | 98 Points - James Halliday
Undoubtedly one of Australia's greatest red wines, the newly released 2020 Cullen Diana Madeline continues the sublime recent form of this flagship Margaret River red. Predominantly Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon (92%), this is blended with a small amount of Merlot (4%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Malbec (1%), all from the biodynamic-certified Cullen vineyard. The blend saw 12 months in 50% new oak prior to bottling, with no additions of yeast or acid.
Complex, powerful yet approachable, the 2020 Cullen Diana Madeline delivers all the classic Diana Madeline characters; a fruit-driven, silky palate with layer upon layer of dark fruit, chocolate bitterness and a touch of subtle spice. A wine with impeccable structure, as with all great Diana Madelines, this has a very long life ahead of it.
Already drawing plenty of attention, our very limited stocks will sell out quickly.
"98 Points. Has the usual estate blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and malbec (92/4/3/1%), the grapes hand picked on fruit days between early February and early March, the components matured in French oak (50% new) for 13 months. The perfumed bouquet has already soaked up the new oak, the purity of the fruit in a cassis-redcurrant-blueberry spectrum. The small berries of a quasi-drought summer might have imposed awkward tannins, but the medium-bodied palate is so perfectly balanced it has a drinking span of 30 years and counting. 13% alc. Drink by: 2055. Screwcap"- James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au.
"96 Points. Great detail in that the wine comes from nine picks across fruit and flower days of the biodynamic calendar, spread across a month-ish lunar cycle. The Cullen way. Another beautiful, soulful release, this one a bit darker, a bit bolder, a mesh of tannins over train tracks and tension, but a wine of significant pedigree and wow factor nonetheless. Dark chocolate and graphite aromas with salted plum, black olive, bay leaf and oyster shell. Flavours ripple with authority in that weave of tannin, dark choc again, panforte perhaps more apt, dark cherry, saline minerality, more bayleaf and cinnamon spice. Succulent in the finish, mouth-watering and very fresh. Compelling stuff. Tasted: Feb22 13% alc. Price: $150 Screwcap Drink: 2024 - 2040+"- Mike Bennie, The Wine Front.
