2025 Kevin John Legacy Series Solstice Sun

Vintage 2025 at Cullen began in early February after a warm, dry growing season capped off by unusually warm conditions in May 2024 that triggered a rare “double budburst” in the Chardonnay – some shoots tried to wake up before winter, then again after, naturally reducing fruitfulness and leaving us with tiny crops and beautifully concentrated fruit. The was some bird pressure early, but the blossom came through halfway, and the birds seemed to disappear overnight.

The result is a set of whites with lifted perfume, texture and depth, slightly softer natural acidity than 2024 making them delicious even in their youth, and a Kevin John Chardonnay that looks especially powerful and refined.

There was no pause before the reds rolled in, and the long, even ripening delivered another brilliant season for Cabernet: dense, savoury and classically structured. Across the board, 2025 trades the sheer heat and power of 2024 for classical perfume and balance. These wines will drink beautifully now and evolve gracefully in the cellar. For more on the 2025 vintage click HERE

This Legacy Series has produced some quite wonderful wines, and this is yet another stunning example. In line with the biodynamic principles of Cullen, it was picked on a flower day and new moon in February. The bunches went into a clay amphora lined with beeswax for two days before pressing, and then it was transferred to a biodynamic flower day puncheon to complete the fermentation. So what does this mean? Well, it means it's a damn fine wine. Plenty of savoury, mineral-y, slightly honeycomb, lemon curd aromas. And then a palate that is so rich and textured, yet held with deft control, with a fine, precise acidity. The palate extends with effortless ease to such a sustained, long finish. Each time you dig back into it, you'll find something different. It's such a wonderful wine.

98 points – Ray Jordan