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2003 Cullen Diane Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Very deep crimson colour with crimson mauve hue. Perfumed nose of violets, spice and cinnamon delivering an excellent sniff with mulberry and ripe fig end notes. The palate structure is refined, with a real sense of elegance, but missing the power that can be found in great years. Fine grained, perfectly balanced tannins. Aftertaste of spice, cedar, liquorice and blackcurrant.
Cellar 4-5 years (2010-2011)
Alc/Vol: 13.5%
Notes sourced from Cullen Wines..
Perhaps Cullen's best-known wine, this blend was recently included in the prestigious Langton Classification of Australian Wines. The vines planted in 1971 are 30 years old. On average the yields are around two tons per acre, or 26 hectolitres per hectare, giving great concentration to the wine. They are grown on the Scott Henry trellising system, which yields grapes with ripe tannins and flavours. This wine is typically a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The varieties are vinified separately and matured in French oak for 18 months. The result is a deeply coloured wine with great depth of flavour, fine grain tannins and outstanding cellaring potential.
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 colour with vibrant purple on the meniscus. The nose already displays classic and seductive varietal cigar box characters, 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.
Cellar 10-15 years