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Cullen Wines

2023

‘Diana Madeline’

Cabernet Sauvignon   |   Margaret River - Australia
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

‘Diana Madeline’ is the culmination of over 50 years of dedication, effort, and respect for the land by the Cullen family. This wine has long stood as a benchmark for Margaret River Cab. In the words of Wine Advocate writer Erin Larkin, “It’s the perfect example of great Australian Cabernet: power without weight.” 2023 was a brilliant long-ripening season for Cabernet Sauvignon in the Cullen Vineyard, producing grapes with great depth of flavor—one of the strongest vintages for Cabernet in the Margaret River in the last two decades. The fruit is all from the Cullen estate, with plantings in the following years: Cabernet Sauvignon in 1971, Merlot and Cabernet Franc in 1976, and Malbec in 1978.

The fruit was hand-harvested over seven biodynamic calendar days, starting in mid-March and culminating on a Moon opposite Saturn astral event in early April. It was fermented with native yeast, mostly in stainless steel, with a small portion in amphora. After about 30 days, the skins were pressed, and the wine was aged in oak barrels (40% new) for 14 months. It was blended in tank and bottled with a light fining, filtering, and dosage of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon - 3% Cabernet Franc - 2% Merlot - 1% Malbec & Petit Verdot
  • Vineyard: Cullen Wines (Wilyabrup)
  • Vine Age: 40-50-years-old
  • Soil Type: Gravelly loam
  • Viticulture: Certified biodynamic - certified organic - dry-farmed
  • Fermentation: Native — Mostly stainless-steel with one small batch in amphora
  • Skin Contact: 30 days
  • Aging: 14 months in oak barriques (40% new)
  • Alcohol: 13.5%
  • pH: 3.72
  • Total Acidity: 5.5 g/L
  • Total SO2: 98 ppm
  • Total Production: 1,412 cases
  • SRP: $149.99

Tasting Notes

Rich fruit notes of blackberry, currant, mulberry, and raspberry mingle with earthy components of graphite, underbrush, and cedar. A supple tannic structure, full-bodied texture, and complex palate make it an excellent candidate for long-term aging.

Press & Reviews

Wine Advocate

98+

"The 2023 Diana Madeline looks as good as ever. The 2023 vintage was superb in almost every way a vintage can be: long, dry, mild and devoid of major heat or viticultural challenges, and while some of the very late ripening red varieties (in specific pockets) had the potential to be affected by some autumn rain, pretty well everything got through without a hitch. It has piercing notes of cassis, bay leaf, raspberry pip, licorice and exotic spice. It is long, balanced and eminently harmonious, and it has an extraordinarily long future ahead of it. It's immune to hyperbole."

- Erin Larkin

James Suckling

98

"So much purity and precision, showing aromas of blackcurrants, graphite, violets, cedar and licorice with a core of black fruit intertwined with undertones of spices, bitter chocolate and iron. The wonderfully poised palate has firm yet refined tannins and a plush, midweight mouthfeel. Mouthwatering granitic finish. The structure and tension will develop for decades. Made from 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and touches of Malbec and Petit Verdot. Excellent. Screw cap. Drink or hold."

- James Suckling
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Producer


Cullen Wines

Region


Margaret River

Country


Australia

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