98 Points
98 Points
97 Points
97 Points
97 Points

Cullen Diana Madeline 2021

SKU: CLDM202110 UCNZ

$198.99

Unit price: per

Celebrating 50 years of Cabernet Sauvignon at Cullen, the Diana Madeline 2021 embodies five decades of dedication to sustainable viticulture and minimal intervention, producing a wine of remarkable depth and purity.

Hand-harvested across biodynamic fruit and flower days, this vintage showcases a commitment to environmental harmony, resulting in a wine that reflects its ancient Wilyabrup terroir with complexity and elegance.

With its deep mulberry color, fine tannins, and intricate flavors of plum, cherry, and dark chocolate, the Diana Madeline 2021 promises a long evolution in the cellar, developing beautifully over the next 50 years.

Critic Scores

98 // Ray Jordan

"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."

98 // Ken Gargett – Winepilot.com

"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. Hints of cloves and blackberries. The structure is immaculate. The wine is focused, with the intensity maintained the full length to a very long finish. 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."

97 // Decanter

"Fragrant, spicy, mineral and elegant, as befits a cooler and fortunately low-yielding vintage, with rainfall during the growing season and harvest. Lovely cedar and graphite detail to the saturating plum and mulberry fruit. A youthfully firm acid line and fine-textured terracotta tannins cut a swathe through (yet are softened by) the fruit, making for a harmonious, persistent palate. 100% biodynamic barriques and puncheons, 50% new, with 11% amphora-fermented."

97 // James Halliday's Wine Companion

"Diana Madeline. The name evokes a lot of emotions, for what the woman stood for then and what the wine stands for now. The 2021 vintage equals 50 years of cabernet sauvignon plantings at Cullen. When released in early 2023, it was on what would have been her 100th birthday. It’s a wine that can come from nowhere else, so strong is its sense of place. Expect to swoon over aromas of roses, violets and mulberries doused in baking spices, a ferruginous quality as much as detailed if persuasive tannins. It’s complex, complete and structured. Gosh, what a wine. What a woman. The perfect combination."

97 // Huon Hooke

"Very deep, bright purple-red colour; wonderful fragrance of red and blue fruits, violets and subtle herbal notes, the palate is very full bodied and loaded with tannins, a big wine of awesome concentration and arresting structure, with terrific drive and power. Long, long finish. It’s just a babe and has a big future. This really has some wow factor. Drink 2026-2051."

Product Details

Red

2021

Cabernet Blend

Cullen

Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia

15 Plus Years

Stelvin

13.5%

750ml (Bottle)

Available for Purchase

Organic and Biodynamic

Estimated dispatch from Warehouse: Tuesday, January 07, 2025

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Description

The Cullen Diana Madeline 2021 is a testament to half a century of exceptional winemaking at the Cullen Estate. This wine, a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec, is the pinnacle of 50 years of dedicated vineyard care and biodynamic practices. The 2021 vintage, marked by careful hand-harvesting across biodynamic days and aged for 15 months in a mix of new and biodynamic oak, reflects a deep respect for the land and the fruit it yields.
The wine's deep mulberry garnet hue hints at its rich character, with aromas of ripe cherries, plums, dark chocolate, and subtle hints of cedar and rose. The palate is equally impressive, offering concentrated flavors of plum, cherry, and dark chocolate, wrapped in fine tannins and a long, juicy finish. This wine is not only a celebration of Cullen's 50-year legacy but also a reflection of the meticulous care and sustainable practices that define its creation. As it continues to evolve, the Diana Madeline 2021 promises to be a cherished addition to any collector’s cellar.
Tasting Profile

Light

Full

Low Tannin

Tannic

Sweet

Dry

Low Acidity

High Acidity

Aroma:

Cherry, Chocolate, Plum

Palate:

Cedar, Cherry, Plum

Food Pairings:

Game

Pork

Red Meat

Tasting Notes

Description

The Cullen Diana Madeline 2021 is a testament to half a century of exceptional winemaking at the Cullen Estate. This wine, a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec, is the pinnacle of 50 years of dedicated vineyard care and biodynamic practices. The 2021 vintage, marked by careful hand-harvesting across biodynamic days and aged for 15 months in a mix of new and biodynamic oak, reflects a deep respect for the land and the fruit it yields.

The wine's deep mulberry garnet hue hints at its rich character, with aromas of ripe cherries, plums, dark chocolate, and subtle hints of cedar and rose. The palate is equally impressive, offering concentrated flavors of plum, cherry, and dark chocolate, wrapped in fine tannins and a long, juicy finish. This wine is not only a celebration of Cullen's 50-year legacy but also a reflection of the meticulous care and sustainable practices that define its creation. As it continues to evolve, the Diana Madeline 2021 promises to be a cherished addition to any collector’s cellar.

Tasting Profile

Light
Full

Low Tannin
Tannic

Sweet
Dry

Low Acidity
High Acidity

Aroma:

Cherry, Chocolate, Plum

Palate:

Cedar, Cherry, Plum

Food Pairings:

Game

Pork

Red Meat

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