2014 Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernets

A compelling Diana Madeline that’s seamless mesh of refinement, richness, power and structure is something to behold.

A Blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc that has been aged for an average of 18 months in French barriques of which 69% were new. Superb colour pouring a totally opaque black red with a bright dark crimson red black tinged hue. Exquisitely scented aromas of violets, blackcurrants and mulberries are infused with cedary tobacco characters with hints of black olive, spicy cigar box and faint bay leaf also present. Powerful, yet graceful and focused the palate is blessed with a rich core of fruit that includes blackcurrant, red currant and mulberry flavours that are married to complexing secondary nuances of cedary tobacco characters, black olives, cigar box and spice. The vibrant richness of fruit makes this one of the most approachable Diana Madeline’s for quite some time yet lurking underneath is a compact frame of sturdily built refined tannins. Outstanding length with a very long blackcurrant, mulberry, cedary tobacco, cigar box and spice aftertaste.
Cellar 10-12 years.
Alc 13.5%

Other Reviews….
Ripe red cherry, blackcurrant and redcurrant, baking spices, violet and mint perfume, perfect mocha oak in support. Medium bodied, fresh and vibrant, bursting with small berried fruit, a fine spread of pitch perfect graphite tannin, clean acid line, beautiful mouth-perfume, and a savoury tobacco laced finish of soaring length. Pulsating with life and Cabernet purity. A worthy sibling to the monumental 2012 vintage. Drink: 2024–2050
97 Points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front

89% cabernet sauvignon, 4% petit verdot, 3% merlot and 2% each of malbec and cabernet franc blended after fermentation, hand-picked and sorted, destemmed (66% whole berries), wild-fermented in stainless steel, average 23 days on skins, matured in French oak (69% new) for 18 months. Right in the slot of the style established (with some polishing and refining) over the years. The complexity of the texture and structure is second to none, led by the born to rule cabernet, the other varieties obviously of minor importance, but important nonetheless. The might of the tannins is the key to this great wine.
98 Points
James Halliday - Halliday Wine Companion