CULLEN Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot 2009

Robert Parker Score: 93 points

Reviewer: Lisa Perrotti-Brown — 19631 Aug 2011

Drink 2013–2023

Coming from a single vineyard planted in 1971 and 1976, the 2009 Diana Madeline is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot and 2% Malbec. It was aged for around 13 months in French barriques, 55% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it offers expressive aromas of ripe cassis, freshly crushed blackberries and blueberries over cloves, damp loam, hung meat, grated mace, dried Mediterranean herbs and a dusting of dark chocolate powder. Medium bodied and wonderfully graceful on the palate, it has crisp acid, firm finely grained tannins and a long earthy finish. It really needs another year or two in bottle to open-out, drinking best 2013 to 2023+.

Vanya Cullen’s new releases continue to be a celebration of her soils. Uncompromisingly offering a tight collection of age-worthy wines from well established vines, Cullen’s wines are must-haves for anyone who values elegance and terroir expression. All of these wines come from estate vineyards that have been certified Biodynamic since 2004/5.