Diana Madeline Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Mid crimson in colour. Lovely Cabernet aromas with a trace of blue fruits and a hint of violets. Very balanced and harmonious on the palate. Elegant. Plenty of flavour intensity and only 12.5% ABV. Tannins are fine but persistent. So balanced almost nothing stands out - the characteristics of a lot of great wines. Will cruise on to its 20th birthday and beyond. Cullen - Margaret River royalty.

On Saturday I conducted a Cabernet tasting at home with 8 mates. The theme was 2009 Bordeaux v Margaret River. See previous note of 80 weeks ago. Wine No. 3. A nice red pepper note amongst the leafiness, cedar and red fruits. Wonderful balance which is a hallmark of Cullen Cabernet. More elegance than power.

So balanced no descriptors stand out - just damn good claret. Herbal silky with fading plum - medium weight. The Cullen girls Diana and Vanya are long time adopters of organic and biodynamic principles and this is considered as one of Australia’s leading Cabernet blends. Cullen say this will live 20 years so it is only halfway there. Have the next one later this year.

Hard not to like this, age has done it a world of good, elegant and layered, not a big wine in other words

Aaron had this 11 years ago

Light to medium bodied but has intensity. 2.4 tonnes/Hectare - very low cropping and biodynamic and very Left Bank Bordeaux. Has the Margaret River Herbaceousness. Vanya Cullen prefers this style but I prefer the more masculine Cuvees made by Woodlands and Moss Wood. 87% Cabernet 11% Merlot 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Still a classy drop.

One of the great vintages in Margaret River. This excellent Cabernet had leafy herbal notes. Medium bodied and a great Cabernet in any company. One minor whinge was a slight lack of cassis berry fruit. I know it is 15 years old but great Bordeaux has it.

Grass smell n taste in the beginning. Typical Cab taste thereafter. Great various smell n taste experience.

Initial vanilla aromas which blew off. Settled down to a typical Marg River nose with leafy aromas with many of the Cabernet descriptors like Olive and Capsicum. Middle weight at best and so balanced it gives very little if that makes sense. A very good Bordeaux blend which is a little restrained for my palate.

Very Bordeaux like though with softening tannins @ 19 years Medium weight with persistent finish. Cedar, light cassis with some green leafy notes.