Cullen Diana Madeline 2018 (1500ml)

James Suckling Top 100 Wines of the World 2020
James Suckling Top 100 Wines of Australia 2020

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. The Cullen vineyard has been certified both Organic and Biodynamic since 2004. 

"An icon wine from a watershed vintage. This is Margaret River pedigree of the highest order; powdery fine tannins that shape and caress the perfectly ripe red fruits. The acidity is the driver over the tongue, the layers of flavour and texture seem never-ending. Show stopping. Pure fruit concentration. Blimey."  Erin Larkin

"100% Cullen Vineyard. 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec. Aged for 15 months in 80% biodynamic barriques of which 50% were new.

Deep mulberry with purple hues showing youthful exuberance. Delicious aroma presentation of mulberry, cherry, rose, violets, dark chocolate, ironstone with completely intoxicating nectar. Classic old vine Cullen Wilyabrup, Cabernet Sauvignon. A powerful wine with fruit spreading across the palate. An abundance of fine tannins enhance the detail of Cabernet Sauvignon. Balanced with rose, violets and a compote of fruit, mulberry, plum, and cassis - deliciously dense with fruit. Smooth long flavour. Quintessential Diana Madeline in a great year. Cellar: Up to 50 years."  Cullen

Erin Larkin and John Jens review Cullen Diana Madeline 2018 (17:00 into the video)
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Expert reviews

"This is a superb edition of this revered, cabernet-based blend with such complete, seamless and elegant feel, yet there's such depth of flavor, too. Aromas of fresh redcurrants, red and violet flowers, subtle spice, fresh earth, paper bark, fresh-picked thyme and sage, red berries and some cedary notes. The palate is stunning and has a brand of elegance with power that is found in only the greatest wines. Pristine mulberries, red plums, blueberries and red cherries sail through layers of fine tannin, into an unwaveringly long and vibrant finish. An exceptionally concentrated and convincing Diana Madeline release, this is one of their finest. A blend of 79% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 5% malbec. Delicious now, but his will bloom from 2028. Screw cap."  James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com - 99 points and Top 100 Wines of the World 2020 and Top 100 Wines of Australia 2020

"I've been waiting for this wine to be released, knowing how good the 2018 vintage was in Margaret River. In fact, it goes further than my lofty expectations. Super-concentrated deep blackcurrant, mulberry and dark, plummy, chocolate flavours. There is an extraordinary brightness and vitality on the nose with exotic violet perfumes. Impeccably poised. A wine that will drink well into the second half of this century. Best drinking: 2025-2065."  Ray Jordan, The West Australian – 99 points

"79/10/6/5% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc/malbec. Wild ferment in barrel and amphora, matured for 15 months in mainly biodynamic oak (50% new). An icon wine from a watershed vintage. This is Margaret River pedigree of the highest order; powdery fine tannins that shape and caress the perfectly ripe red fruits. The acidity is the driver over the tongue, the layers of flavour and texture seem never-ending. Show stopping. Pure fruit concentration. Blimey. Drink by 2061."  Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion - 98 points and Special Value Wine  ★  

"Authoritative, with blackcurrant and mulberry fruit nuanced by deep notes of tobacco, bitter chocolate, currant leaf, dried rose and cedar. With beautifully understated gravitas, the fine-textured graphite tannins and incisive acidity sustain a long, penetrating finish. Reflecting ideal harvest conditions, fruit for this ultra-composed Bordeaux blend was picked over one month on fruit and flower days, including a full-moon fruit day, then part-fermented in amphorae, before ageing in 80% biodynamic barrels (50% new)."  Decanter - 98 points

"The 2018 Diana Madeline is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (79%), Merlot (10%), Cabernet Franc (6%) and Malbec (5%). The Cullen vineyard is in the Wilyabrup area of Margaret River, and the fruit was handpicked across five biodynamic fruit and flower days, from the Moon opposite Saturn event in late February to the full moon in early March. The wine was matured in French oak for 15 months (50% new). Despite the powerful 2018 vintage, this wine has a core of delicate purity: red fruits in abundance, with skeins of mineral tannins interwoven through its very fabric. There are notes of crushed graphite, ironstone, summer raspberries, licorice root, a hint of leaf (bay leaf and salt bush), even samphire. It echoes and reverberates, but for all of this, it is ethereal and supple. The tannins are ductile and fine boned... a marvelous wine. The restraint and power that go hand in hand are hallmarks of all great Margaret River Cabernet. Drink: 2023 - 2048."  Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate - 98 points

"Exquisitely perfumed and balanced Cabernet of perfect proportion and weight. Flowers, cherry, dark chocolate, spicy biscuit and lead pencils. Depth of fruit and concentration, yet still comes over as svelte and fine, with freshness and fragrance, earthy bass notes, a rich seam of graphite tannin, and a long resonant finish. It's a sensational vintage for Cullen Cabernet. Drink: 2023 - 2048+."  Gary Walsh, The Wine Front - 97 points

"Deep, bright, youthful, concentrated purple/red colour which stains the glass. The aroma is fresh and young, fruit-driven and impressively concentrated; essency, with masses of blueberry, cassis, violet and blackberry flavours, underlined by a firm tannin backbone. There is cedar aplenty and loads of cabernet character. The tannins are very firm and it needs more time to mellow. The concentration has ramped up to a new level here. A high-quality wine of enormous potential. Drink: 2023-2043."  Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 97 points

"Glass-staining violet. Highly perfumed, spice- and mineral-accented red and blue fruit, exotic spice, potpourri and incense aromas show superb clarity and pick up hints of woodsmoke, cured tobacco and vanilla with aeration. Sweet, seamless and incisive on the palate, offering intense blueberry, cherry liqueur, spicecake and candied rose flavors and a hint of cracked pepper. Deepens steadily through the extremely persistent finish, which features youthfully gripping tannins and resonating floral and blue fruit notes. 50% new French oak."  Vinous - 97 points

"This vintage of Diana Madeline (a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Bordeaux-style blend) is a classic. While still tightly wound and set for the long haul, this vintage is a little more expressive in youth than previous ones. Cherry and brambly berry nestle amid iodine, tomato leaf, dark chocolate, graphite and savory, herbal characters. The palate is austere but harmonious, with length, depth, concentration and powerful yet fine tannins. A must for any Cab-lover's cellar. Drink 2023 - 2040, at least."  Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast – 96 points 

Awards

Top 100 Wines of the World 2020 - James Suckling
Top 100 Wines of Australia 2020 - James Suckling
Special Value Wine – Halliday Wine Companion  ★ 

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.

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."