Last Stocks | 98 Points – Ken Gargett

Cullen’s Diana Madeline is undoubtedly one of Australia’s greatest red wines and one of our most in-demand releases of the year. The 2021 release of Diana Madeline is another world class wine by Vanya Cullen and the team at Cullen Wines, which will only enhance the reputation of this wine. 

The 2021 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. 

“98 Points. This is a triumph for the vineyard in what was a challenging year in Margaret River. Low yields, birds and rain events all conspired to make things tough, but a rigorous biodynamic approach in the vineyard and later in the winery has resulted in a magnificent expression of a slightly cooler climate Margaret River Cabernet. High end florals on the nose with notes of violet and red berry overpaying the deeper blackcurrant concentration. The oak is well managed and integrated with the tannins firm and chalky providing the structure to support extended ageing. A worthy commemoration of family matriarch Diana Cullen who would have been 100 this year. Drink: 2023-2053”- Ray Jordan, winepilot.com.

“98 Points. The newly released DM Cabernet is a particularly auspicious one, celebrating what would have been the 100th birthday of Diana Madeline herself. No doubt, she would have been delighted with the wine. In fact, it is very hard to remember when this Cabernet would not have been amongst the very best released in this country. This latest release is likely to be seen as one of the finest they have ever made. This is not just a great Margaret River wine, it is a great wine. Deep opaque purple hue. The nose is a whirling dervish of spices, cherries, tobacco leaves, cassis, black fruits, leather and dried herbs with hints of cloves and blackberries. The structure is immaculate while the wine is focused, with the intensity maintained the full length to a very long finish supported by silky tannins. Certainly young now, and although it really is enjoyable, expect this wine to give great pleasure over the next two decades. It is going to get even better. This will surely be one of the top wines of the year, even at this early stage. Drink: 2023 – 2053”- Ken Gargett, winepilot.com.