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Cullen Wines

2022

‘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.” Vintage 2022 was perfect for elegant Cabernet Sauvignon, with warm conditions early on, helping the reds to ripen earlier than usual. 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 five biodynamic calendar days, from March 12-16, including three flower days and culminating on a full Moon fruit day when Venus and Saturn were in conjunction. It was de-stemmed and fermented with native yeast in stainless steel. After about 30 days, the skins were pressed and the wine went into oak barrels (55% new) for 14 months of aging. It was blended in tank and bottled with a light fining, filtering, and dosage of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon - 5% Merlot - 3% Cabernet Franc - 3% Malbec
  • Vineyard: Cullen Wines (Wilyabrup)
  • Vine Age: 41-55-year-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 (55% new)
  • Alcohol: 13.5%
  • pH: 3.68
  • Total Acidity: 5.3 g/L
  • Total SO2: 100 ppm
  • Total Production: 2,025 cases
  • SRP: $149.99

Tasting Notes

Juicy rich structure. Rich chocolate, mulberry, and cherry with beautiful fine grained tannins supporting ethereal fruit. The unctuous texture and complexity will last for at least 50 years.

Press & Reviews

Wine Advocate

97

"The 2022 Diana Madeline is a succulent, powerful, muscular iteration of this vineyard, in what was a warm and excellent season in Margaret River. Raspberry, cocoa nib, iodine, licorice/aniseed, kelp and a burst of fresh ocean air. This is a spectacular wine; it straddles the divide of warm season/ripe fruit yet retains some characteristics of cooler season/nuanced spice. The blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec that matured for 14 months in 55% new French oak."

- Erin Larkin

James Suckling

97

"An Australian icon. The nose is deeply perfumed and elegant with an underlying power, giving aromas of blackcurrants, mulberry bush, tobacco leaves, violets, blueberries and ferric earth. The full-bodied palate has seamless tannins and an incredible array of complex flavors: wild-blackberry compote, graphite, tea leaves, blood plums, dark cherries and mocha. A superb wine that will live for decades to come. Made from 89% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 3% malbec, farmed biodynamically. Drink or hold. Screw cap."

- James Suckling

Producer


Cullen Wines

Region


Margaret River

Country


Australia

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