2023 Diana Madeline Legacy Series

$350.00

Pickup available at Cellar Door

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Vintage Notes

Vintage 2023 was a low yielding vintage which resulted in some stunning grapes and hence quality wine. In particular Cabernet Sauvignon exhibited the best typicity of varietal manifestation. The 52 year old vines consistently yield well year on year out.

The growing conditions until December were cold and wet and due to the negative Indian dipole and La Niña effects finishing in December 2022 we had an unprecedented dry spell from December until the end of harvest.

Small berry size particularly in white grape varieties produced beautifully balanced wines; Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, Cabernet and Malbec all outstanding.
Tasting Notes

Diana Madeline AM was a revered matriarch with a deep love for the world. Her passion for the Bordeaux blend led her to introduce both Merlot and Cabernet Franc to the Margaret River wine region in 1976. She had a particular fondness for the Cabernet family, especially Petit Verdot and Malbec. To honour her legacy and the exceptional 2023 vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon, we have crafted the inaugural release of a Legacy Series wine in her name.
 
This blend represents the first pick of Cabernet from the stellar 2023 vintage, occurring on a full Moon and Moon opposite Saturn harvest in early March. A co-fermented blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Malbec this wine was matured in 33% new French oak for 14 months.
Provenance

The Vineyard: 100% Cullen Vineyard

The Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec
Technical Details

Harvest: 7th March Full Moon/Moon Opposite Saturn Harvest

Oak: Aged for 15 months in barriques of which 33% were new

Alcohol: 12.5%
Reviews

Just when I thought I'd seen the best of Cullen's cabernets from the 2023 vintage, up pops this quite remarkable expression of power, finesse, elegance and concentration that is so Margaret River, so Wilyabrup, and so Cullen cabernet. It's a structured wine with typically firm-though-controlled tannins, plenty of supremely balanced oak infusion, and fruit concentration of unfathomable depth. The aromas are highly perfumed violets, blackcurrant and even a subtle cherry character. The palate is a deep concentration of black fruits. It's a blend of 70 per cent cabernet and 30 per cent malbec, which were co-fermented, and then matured in French barriques, 33 per cent of which was new, for 18 months.

Score 99/100 - Ray Jordan


In the MOSH Pit is the Moon Opposite Saturn Harvest. Which was in early March of 2023. Old plantings from the estate conspire here. This is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Malbec. Such an impressive wine. The pixelated, mineral-charged tannins shaping things into a compact, inwardly juicy yet lithe pulse of dark berry and plummy fruits, woody and woodsy spices, salt bush, panforte and flinty, slate like mineral characters that linger in flickers through the finish. There’s a sense of energy here, a shimmering vibrancy of texture and flavour set in a trim, architectural, dart-like frame. Exceptional persistence too, and a sense of refreshment alongside. The restraint, oh the restraint. Rain down the superlatives.

97 Points – Mike Bennie
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