98 Points - Ken Gargett
A pioneer of Margaret River wine, Cullen continues to produce some of the region's finest wines from their mature estate vineyards. Under the guidance of Chief Winemaker Vanya Cullen, all wines are grown on a certified biodynamic, organic, carbon neutral and naturally powered estate.
Cullen's Diana Madeline is undoubtedly one of Australia's greatest red wines and one of our most in-demand releases of the year. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), Cabernet Franc (5%), Malbec (3%), and Merlot (2%), the 2024 Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet is already attracting plenty of high praise.
The 2024 Cullen Diana Madeline delivers all the classic Diana Madeline characters; elegant and perfumed with aromas of violets and wild rose with mulberry, satsuma plum and cigar box, expanding into liquorice, cherry and chocolate. The palate boasts beautiful fruit density, balance and opulent structure. Fine tannins expand gracefully across the palate, revealing layers of cassis, mulberry and cherry with rich cacao, lifted by floral rose notes and savoury plum. The back palate is wrapped in ironstone and cigar box, laced with cedar and sandalwood, finishing with grace, silk-like length and true finesse.
"98 Points. 2024 was always facing a tough task following on from the truly sensational 2023 vintage. In Margaret River however, wonderful vintages seem the norm rather than the exception. 2024 broke records as the earliest, driest and hottest vintage experienced by the region, but the team found that biodynamic practices enabled the vineyards to come through and offer yet another superb DM Cab. Harvest took place over six pickings, on Fruit and Flower days and concluded on a Moon opposite Saturn astral event. The fruit was placed in a mix of amphorae and stainless steel tanks for wild fermentation and skin contact ranged from 15 to 78 days. Maturation was for an average of fourteen months, 50% of the barrels being new oak. The oak was a combination of puncheons and biodynamic barriques. The final wine is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon 5% Cabernet Franc 3% Malbec and 2% Merlot. Near black/maroon with a dark magenta rim, the nose reveals aromas of black fruits, tobacco leaves, cloves, a touch of axle grease, chocolate, cassis, aniseed and blackberries. Brilliantly structured, the texture is sleek and seductive with succulent fruit throughout. The wine is very, very long and finishes with the silkiest of tannins. A wonderful Margaret River Cabernet which will sail through the next twenty years. Over that period, there is room for further improvement. $160. Drink by: 2026-2046"- Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot.
