2004 Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

Re-tasted on 29/05/2015: Superb colour featuring a totally opaque inky black dark red core with a deep very dark red hue. Showing both intensity and complexity the nose expels perfumed scents of ripe blackcurrants, subtle violet and dark mulberries that interplay with secondary and tertiary nuances of cedary tobacco, bay leaf, faint earth and spice. Medium weighted, rich in fruit yet elegant in appearance and with a gorgeous savouriness the palate delivers mouthfilling flavours of blackcurrant and dark mulberries intermixed with cedar, tobacco and cigar box followed by touches of earth and spice. The velvet smooth tannins still have plenty of structure behind them for further cellaring. Long aftertaste of blackcurrant, dark mulberry, tobacco leaf, cigar box, dusty cedar and spice.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc 14%

Tasted on 14/08/2006: A magnificent wine!  This is a must wine for wine lovers who have lost their faith in this noble grape variety.  Vintage conditions for the 2004 vintage were perfect - Winemaker Vanya Cullen rating it alongside the other outstanding vintages of the last 15 years, 1995, 1999 & 2001. Good rainfall in the months up to November 2003 produced perfect conditions for the vines in the early part of the growing season. The main growing season was cool and dry, which was ideal as the vines did not even become mildly stressed. This was followed by warm but not extreme temperatures, which led to the production of red grapes that attained perfect physiological ripeness. The wine was produced using biodynamic techniques from vines 30 years old, with yields around 2 tonnes per acre. Maturation was in French oak of which 54% was new) for a period of 18 months.

Made from a blend 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Very deep crimson colour with black crimson hue.  Superb nose – showing sophisticated Cabernet aromas – top notes of violets followed by blackcurrant, cassis, cedar and spice.  The palate delivers outstanding length and depth of flavour – again very sophisticated with wonderful ripe Cabernet fruit flavours.  Spiced plum, white pepper, violet infusions and blackcurrant overlaid with liquorice allsorts.  Fine grained tannins, perfectly balanced, followed by a very long aftertaste of liquorice allsorts, cassis, plum and spice. Outstanding.
Cellar 10-12 years (2016-2018)
Alc/Vol: 14%

Other reviews...
Excellent hue and depth; a complex, medium to full-bodied web of texture and flavour; perfectly balanced oak and tannins supporting blackcurrant fruit; long finish. Tasted 2006.
95 points
James Hallidays Wine Companion 2011