CULLEN Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot 2016

Robert Parker Score: 93 points

Reviewer: Erin Larkin — March 2025 Week 320 Mar 2025

Drink 2027–2046

The 2016 Diana Madeline is herbal and dry, a more dusty, spicy iteration of this Cullen vineyard than some of the vintages that surround it. In the mouth, the wine is lean and closed, leaning heavily on the asphalt/graphite/petrichor aspects of the wine rather than the fruit. I frequently find the 2015 and 2016 vintages difficult to get a read on and wonder if perhaps this is a stage that will pass, as they evolve in bottle. For now, I would personally wait a few more years before opening any of my bottles from this vintage. The blend here is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 1% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.