Cullen Diana Madeline 2003

James Halliday Top 100 Wines of 2005
Tyson Stelzer Top 500 Wines of 2005/2006

Cullen is an iconic Margaret River winery and the Diana Madeline is their flagship red wine. It is famed for its quality and consistency, is sought after by collectors world-wide and is a worthy regional benchmark. It is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon dominant Bordeaux blend grown on an exemplary vineyard. In 2003 Cullen was certified fully Organic and began introducing Biodynamic viticulture practices.

"A deeply fruited, finely balanced, firm and long-living cabernet blend. Its alluring, dark perfume of violets, cassis, mulberries, dark cherries and blood plums is supported by fragrant and fine-grained chocolate/vanilla and cedary oak, with undertones of forest floor. Satiny soft, its plush palate of juicy small berry and cherry flavour is framed by firm, powdery tannins and backed by smooth, polished chocolate oak. Charming, spotlessly clean and beautifully measured."  Jeremy Oliver

"This wine was made from a blend of the same four Bordeaux grape varieties as last year. The final blend comprised 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot. The Baumés of these varieties at the time of picking typically lay in the range of 13 to 14°. All of the wine was matured for 15 months in French oak, of which 52% was new. The final alcohol concentration of this wine was 13.5%. Deep red with vibrant purple on the meniscus; already displays classic and seductive varietal cigar box characters on the nose, together with fresh violet and mocha aromas; cedary oak at the front of the palate leads into a complex amalgam of blackcurrant and black cherry flavours with a touch of cigar box, which are perfectly integrated with the soft but firm tannins. The palate is already very complete. Cellaring: 10 - 15 years."  Cullen Wines

Cullen Wines

Expert reviews

"2003 Cullen Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot. Cellaring: Not less than 25 years to go."  James Halliday, Wine Companion Magazine Feb/Mar 2014 - 97 points

"A blend of 72% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, and 4% each of petit verdot and malbec from the hand of Vanya Cullen, named to honour her late mother. Crystal clear colour, bell-clear, intense redcurrant and blackcurrant fruit, built-in tannins and high quality French oak all make for a classic wine. Drink Now-2030."  James Halliday, The Weekend Australian - 96 points and Top 100 Wines of 2005

"A deeply fruited, finely balanced, firm and long-living cabernet blend. Its alluring, dark perfume of violets, cassis, mulberries, dark cherries and blood plums is supported by fragrant and fine-grained chocolate/vanilla and cedary oak, with undertones of forest floor. Satiny soft, its plush palate of juicy small berry and cherry flavour is framed by firm, powdery tannins and backed by smooth, polished chocolate oak. Charming, spotlessly clean and beautifully measured. Drink 2015-2023."  Jeremy Oliver - 95 points

"Another great Diana Madeline, with characteristic, refined fruit and monumental structure and length. Intense black and red currants and red cherries swirl with hints of nettles, spice, herbs, mint and cinnamon. Cashew nut French oak (50% new) is firm, but pushed into its rightful second place by the fruit. All it needs is time for the oak to integrate and the very persistent, firm, fine tannin structure to soften. Impressive. 72% cabernet, 22% merlot, 4% petit verdot, 4% malbec. It was showing even better when retasted on 10/12/05. Best drinking around: 2013-2023."  Tyson Stelzer, Top 500 Wines 2005/2006 – 95 points

"Very impressive red with great density and complexity. It has real weight and deliciously silken texture. Licorice, blackberry, plum, spice, tar and classy oak. There's also some smoky bacon and gamy characters."  Bob Campbell, The Real Review - 95 points

Awards

James Halliday Top 100 Wines of 2005
Tyson Stelzer Top 500 Wines of 2005/2006

Organic/biodynamic

The combination of firstly organic, and subsequently biodynamic viticulture at Cullen Wines provides the opportunity for the land to exist at its full potential, thereby nurturing vines to produce their best and most individual grapes. Vanya Cullen has pushed the limits of biodynamic practices in every facet of the business and the yield of the estate vineyards has soared.  All Cullen Wines are grown on a certified Biodynamic, Carbon Neutral and naturally powered estate.

Organic Viticulture

Since 1971 when the Cullen Vineyard was planted, chemical intervention was minimal and the family's concern for the environment paramount. In 1998 the change to total organic viticulture was made. Organics is about soil health and Diana and Vanya went intuitively towards healing the soil by putting back what had been taken out. Organic farming promotes biological activity, which converts plant and animal residue into stable humus. This in turn increases the soil's ability to retain moisture and provide a reserve of nutrients. The Cullen vineyards were certified A Grade Organic in 2003. 

Biodynamic Viticulture 

In 2003, whilst attending a Biodynamic Conference, Vanya Cullen decided that Biodynamics would add further to the holistic and natural approach to both vineyard and winemaking. Biodynamics builds on organic farming to make all organic processes work more efficiently and effectively. 

Biodynamic viticulture is a philosophy combining the maintenance of sustainable soil fertility and the recognition of the link between plant growth and the rhythms of the cosmos.  Moon rhythms strongly influence life on earth life. As tides rise and fall in a pulsing rhythm, so does the sap of plants and all other liquids including those within the earth's mantle. Viticultural practices are conducted according to these moon rhythms. The position of the moon in relation to the planets is critical in determining the optimal time to plant. 

In addition, the difference between organic and biodynamic is the use of biodynamic preparations 500 and 501, with 502-508 also being used. Preparation 500 is cow horns filled with cow manure which helps the soil develop humus and attracts earthworms and micro organisms. Preparation 501 is cow horns filled with quartz crystals which aids photosynthesis and the uptake of minerals in the soil. 

In 2004 the Cullen vineyards were certified A Grade Biodynamic.

Vanya Cullen discusses biodynamics

About the winery

In 1948, Dr Kevin John Cullen and his wife Diana Madeline Cullen purchased their property in Wilyabrup, which is in the heart of Margaret River. In early 1965 they started considering other uses for their sheep and cattle farm. They decided to plant lupins, so invited Dr John Gladstones (who had studied lupins in his post-graduate research) to visit their property. Dr Gladstones had also put considerable work and research into the suitability of growing vines in southwestern Australia and, according to Diana, upon seeing their land said "Oh, you're mad growing cattle and sheep, why don't you grow grapes?"

Dr Gladstones described Wilyabrup as being the sweet spot of the Margaret River region, most favourable for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1966 he published his now-famous report which compared the climate and soils of Margaret River to that of Bordeaux. Many regard him as the founder of the Margaret River wine region. 

In 1971 Kevin and Diana Cullen made the decision to plant 18 acres of vines on the land, including their first Cabernet Sauvignon vines. Further plantings were made over the subsequent decades. The mature 28-hectare dry grown vineyard still operates today and the grapes for all the Cullen wines are sourced from here and the adjacent Mangan Vineyard which was planted in 1995.

While Kevin Cullen worked as a doctor to support the business, Diana Cullen supervised and managed the winery and became Chief Winemaker in 1981. Diana made history in 1982 by being the first woman to win a trophy at the Perth Royal Show. Kevin passed away in 1994 and Diana in 2003, and the Cullen flagship wines are now named in their honour; the Kevin John Chardonnay and Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot. Both Kevin and Diana have been awarded life membership with the Margaret River Wine Industry Association, and in 2003 the WA Wine Industry Association introduced the annual Diana Madeline Cullen Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to the WA Wine Industry in her honour.

In 1983 Diana was joined by daughter Vanya Cullen, who took over the reign as Chief Winemaker in 1989 and was also appointed Managing Director in 1999. With Vanya at the helm, the quality of the wine is paramount and every step taken in the vineyard and in the winemaking is geared to that aim. The quality of Cullen Wines comes in the main from the vineyard - the wines can only be as good as the grapes. To realise the full potential of the vineyard, Vanya has embraced organic and biodynamic viticultural practices and the vineyards were certified A Grade Organic in 2003 and A Grade Biodynamic in 2004. 

The process of making the wine involves handling the fruit as little and as gently as possible. Practices such as hand harvesting, minimal fruit transport, sorting of the fruit before crushing, minimal wine movement, minimal fining for the whites, no fining for the reds and minimal filtration are employed. The wines mostly make themselves, with little or no intervention; which means the use of indigenous yeast, no additions of any kind and minimal oak use and fining.

Vanya Cullen received the "Australian Winemaker of the Year" award from Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine in 2000 and was voted "Woman of the Year" by UK based wine magazine The Drinks Business in 2008, becoming the first Australian to receive the award. Vanya was also awarded Halliday Wine Companion's winemaker of the year in 2020.

Cullen became the first vineyard and winery in Australia to be certified carbon positive, starting the process in 2006. Vanya Cullen is also on the board of the "Days of Change" program, which aims to help Western Australian people and businesses live and operate in a more sustainable way.

2021 marked a half-century for the brand and with it a celebration of the Cullen Wines legacy. "This year we celebrate 50 years of Cullen Wines – 50 years of sustainable wine growing preceded by 65,000 years of Wadandi sustainable land care," says Vanya. "Over that time we've been supported by generous people with a wonderful spirit of camaraderie and warmth of spirit, and we are so grateful."