Cullen Diana Madeline 2017
- v96
- we95
- wa94
- ws90
Category | Red Wine |
Varietals | |
Region | Australia, Western Australia, Margaret River |
Brand | Cullen |
Alcohol/vol | 13% |
Vinous
- v96
Deep, bright-hued purple. Expansive aromas of dark berry preserves, cherry pit, incense, black pepper, candied rose and spicecake, along with hints of pipe tobacco and vanilla that emerge as the wine opens up. Seamless and broad on the palate, offering wonderfully concentrated yet lively smoke-tinged black and blue fruit, floral pastille and spicecake flavors lifted by a bright mineral flourish. Shows outstanding energy and sharp delineation on the strikingly long, floral- and mineral-accented finish, which is given shape by dusty, fine-grained tannins. There's 40% new French oak here and it plays in superb harmony with the wine's pure, expressive fruit.
Wine Enthusiast
- we95
Like all of Cullen's top reds, this Bordeaux-style blend-made from the winery's home block of biodynamically farmed fruit-is still a baby. Its youth is particularly pronounced in a cool vintage like 2017, but with time to open up, it hints at extraordinary things for the future. Whispers of dried rose petal, clove, wild currant, red cherry, seaweed and minerals are tucked into a bed of chocolaty, spicy oak, which will integrate with time. The luscious, high-toned fruit is held together by fine, nervy tannins. Put this far out of reach, and don't touch for at least another five years. Drink 2025-2040.
Wine Advocate
- wa94
The medium-bodied 2017 Diana Madeline is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. It spent 18 months in 40% new oak. Hints of violets and cocoa accent cassis and blueberry fruit on the nose, while raspberries emerge on the palate. The fine, silky texture continues onto the long finish, ending with some drying tannins. Give this a few years in the cellar and drink it over the next 15 years.
Wine Spectator
- ws90
Rosemary, sage and bay leaf notes add a fresh green edge to the currant, plum and blueberry flavors, with spice accents and cigar box aromatics. The tannins are dense but polished, never getting in the way even as they firm up on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2035. 100 cases imported.