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  • 98
  • 96+
Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot 2023
Cullen

Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot 2023

Sale price$154.99

— As Cullen Wines' flagship label, the Diana Madeline has consistently garnered critical acclaim, solidifying its status as one of Australia's premier red wines.
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— The Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted in 1971, Merlot 1976, Cabernet Franc 1976 and Malbec in 1978… beautiful old vine wine.
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— The wine reward careful cellaring, up to 50 years.

Origin

Western Australia Margaret River, Australia

In stock
Ready for dispatch from Warehouse same or next business day
SKU: CUDM202310 UCAU
  • 99 Points
  • 98 Points
  • 96+ Points
TASTING NOTES

Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot 2023 represents over five decades of unwavering dedication to biodynamic viticulture and exceptional winemaking. This flagship wine from Cullen Wines is a testament to the harmony between nature and craftsmanship, delivering a refined and complex red that stands among Australia’s premier expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon blends.

The 2023 vintage benefited from ideal climatic conditions, with warm early season temperatures followed by cooler periods that encouraged an elegant ripening process. Hand-harvested over five biodynamic calendar days, including three flower days and a full Moon fruit day when Venus and Saturn aligned, this wine embodies a unique connection to lunar and planetary cycles, enhancing its character and depth.

Crafted from old vine plantings dating back to the 1970s—Cabernet Sauvignon (1971), Merlot (1976), Cabernet Franc (1976), and Malbec (1978)—the Diana Madeline showcases the concentrated flavors and complexity that only mature vines can offer. The grapes underwent an average of 30 days on skins, followed by 14 months maturation in 55% new oak, utilizing a blend of biodynamic barriques and puncheons to elevate the wine’s structure and finesse.

The final blend consists of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Malbec, resulting in a wine with profound depth, rich dark fruit layers, and subtle earthy undertones. The careful balance of these varietals offers a seamless integration of power and elegance, making it a captivating choice for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Known for its remarkable aging potential, the Diana Madeline rewards patient cellaring and can gracefully evolve for up to 50 years, revealing new nuances and complexity with time. Its consistent critical acclaim underscores its status as a benchmark for premium Australian reds.

Key highlights:

  • Flagship label of Cullen Wines with a legacy of critical acclaim
  • Old vine heritage with vines planted between 1971 and 1978
  • Biodynamic vineyard practices and lunar harvesting for enhanced expression
  • Extended maturation in new oak for refined tannins and complexity
  • Exceptional aging potential, suitable for long-term cellaring up to 50 years
TASTING PROFILE
  • LIGHT
  • FULL
  • LOW TANNIN
  • TANNIC
  • SWEET
  • DRY
  • LOW ACIDITY
  • HIGH ACIDITY
Aroma: Blueberry, Boysenberry, Herbal
Palate: Blue Fruits, Cassis, Graphite
Food Pairings:
  • Pork
  • Red Meat

Classification: Red

Variety: Cabernet Blend

Vintage: 2023

Bottle : 750ml (Bottle)

Country: Australia

Region: Western Australia

Alcohol: 13.5%

Cellaring: 15 Plus Years

Scores

99/100

'Put bluntly, this is perhaps the finest young Australian Cabernet I can recall seeing. It is simply brilliant. The blend is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot, with that last one percent a mix of Malbec and Petit Verdot. The maturation was for fourteen months in French oak, with 40% of it new. An inky dark maroon colour, this is concentrated and seamless. We have aromas of dark, rich chocolate, cocoa beans, plums, beefstock, graphite, mulberries, cloves and blackberries. Elegance and refinement here, this is all class and there is wonderful length, with the wine finishing with the silkiest tannins. There is immaculate balance and amazing intensity and yet the wine dances with freshness and energy. The image that keeps appearing here is Muhammed Ali at his peak, dancing with grace. The more time in the glass or in an open bottle you can give it, the more rewards will come. Surely one of the greatest Cabernets made in this country, perhaps Vanya’s best ever, and it confirms that 2023 in Margaret River, a region of seemingly endless fine vintages – is truly special. Why not 100? I do feel it deserves it, but I simply do not trust Vanya not to come up withsomething even better next vintage.’ - 99 points. Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot.

Wine Pilot

Scores

98/100

'The 2023 Diana Madeline is an exciting wine. The 2023 season was mild, dry and quite spectacular. There was some rain at the very end of the red harvest, and this was a very site-specific thing, not widespread over the region. Aromatically, the wine is intensely perfumed: graphite and pressed lavender, wet rose petals, raspberry pip, liquorice, concrete and summer rain. This gives everything that I could hope for in an early-release Cabernet: dark fruit and exotic spice, mineral detail and more. The chalky and fine tannins shape the palate and spool out long over the finish. Is this the finest and best Diana Madeline made to date? Perhaps! What a wine. Highly recommended. It's the perfect example of great Australian Cabernet: power without weight. Look no further. 13.7% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Here, the fruit was handpicked over seven dates, starting middle of March and culminating on a moon opposite the Saturn astral event in early April. The blend is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, with the 1% balance comprising Malbec and Petit Verdot.' - 98 points. Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate.

The Wine Advocate

Scores

96+/100

A wine needing very little introduction. Hence, piffle here in the intro. The quality of tannins is the part of the great experience, suede, refreshing, persistent, but you can see the pedigree of the wine in detail of dark berry fruits, espresso, mocha, chocolate and liquorice then bay leaf, brine and sea spray, salt bush and mahogany; all this delivers so much to the experience in its layers and layers. It sets out at medium weight and glides, an elegance, a confidence in balance and the harmony on hand. That it is generally just outrageously delicious is the wine’s ace in the hole. Nota bene the dark roast coffee/mocha is noted here and lends a little piquant bitterness and gummy elements in the finish. Quality writ large is the mainstay; top flight stuff. - 96+ points Mike Bennie, The Wine Front.

The Wine Front

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