To celebrate my 34th birthday, I opened up something with a bit of age from the cellar. Cullen are one of the most important producers in Margaret River – in Western Australia for that matter – and their crown jewel is the Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon. This 1998 vintage was before it was officially given it’s name. It’s been in the cellar for a while, so I was glad to have the chance to drink it. Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Cullen Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 1998
Wines tasted after a visit to Cullen in Margaret River.
Moon opposite Saturn Sauvignon Blanc
Quite light and a bit herbal, subtlety of the grassy asparagus note. Fresh and vibrant but still quite lean, very delicate dustiness.
Kevin John Chardonnay 2013
Ripe citrus notes sweet nuttiness. Soft rich light subdued leesy but showing a bit of alcohol at the moment, a very generous expression, perhaps needs more time.
Amber 2014
Quite phenolic on the nose, spicy herbal notes, kind of waxy. Very pleasant and probably better with food, a tad awkward though.
Rosé 2013
Very fine, good tannins, quite cabernet dominant.
Preservative Free Merlot 2014
Nice focus tannins small dark berries. Excellent expression of the variety, bright tight and focused, very dry.
Mangan East Block 2012
Quite subtle, closed focus, mature dustiness. Fresh and clean, bit of juiciness but focused tannins. Bit of savoury to boot.
Diana Madeline 2012
Quite closed and a more dusty expression, very subtle on the nose. Very generous and soft with just a touch of oak sweetness on the tannins, bold balanced generous but focused.
Diana Madeline 2011
A touch lean and green for the moment, subtle eucalyptus notes, ripe red capsicum. Juicy bright acids with that savoury green/red notes, quite intense tannins, great grip, more my style of vintage.
Cullen Winery
Filed under Tasting Notes
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