2020 Diana Madeline
The 2020 Diana Madeline vintage was hot and dry. For the old block cabernet sauvignon vines these drought like conditions resulted in the vines producing small berries, and hence the vines were low yielding – .i.e. bunch numbers were average but with low berry weight. This produced a wine of elegance, balance and perfume… effortless.
Harvest dates included 2 Moon Opposite Saturn events and two Full Moon’s – one being a fruit day perigee and the other a Moon Opposite Saturn flower day. These took place from 8th February until 10th march.
The blend is 92% cabernet sauvignon, 4% merlot, 3% cabernet franc, and 1% malbec.
Closed tanks, open fermenters, barrels and amphora were all used in the fermentation process, and the period of skin contact time lasted from 10 to 99 days depending on the batch of wine.
This wine spent 13 Months in 50% new oak in a mixture of barriques and puncheons, with some biodynamic oak featuring.
No additions of yeast, acid, or malolactic acid were made to this wine.
Vintage Notes
2020 vintage was defined by dry conditions from the onset of budburst through to harvest in 2020.
A lower than average rainfall in 2019, and hot dry weather conditions in January, February and March made for almost drought conditions for harvest 2020.
Bunch numbers were about average, but low berry weights due to the dry conditions produced very low yields and wines which were balanced and pretty in nature. The harvest was unaffected by Covid 19 lockdowns as we had finished harvest and most of the fermentations had also finished, we just had the pressing of the red wines. Chardonnay yields were still affected by the previous year’s frost.
Wines of excellent balance and fruit purity, a vintage similar to 2003 in style.
Best varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.
Winemaker Notes
Vineyard: 100% Cullen Vineyard
Varieties: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc & 1% Malbec
Harvest: Harvest dates included 2 Moon Opposite Saturn events and two Full Moon’s – one being a fruit day perigee and the other a Moon Opposite Saturn flower day. These took place from 8th February until 10th march.
Oak: 13 months in 50% new oak
Alcohol: 13.0%
Tasting Notes
Reviews
Author: Fergal Gleeson Publication: Instagram - greatwineblog Date: 8th February, 2022 Score: 5 stars"If a case or two of this washed up on a deserted island I was stranded on, I’d bury the flare gun; not wanting to be saved!
Cullen Diana Madeline 2020 has one of the prettiest nose’s you’ll come across with black and purple fruits, florals and a hint of briars. Great burgundies’ aromatics dazzle but so do those of great Cabernets.
The biodynamically grown grapes are front and centre with Diana Madeline. It’s 4K Ultra High Definition Cabernet, vivid, vivacious with beautiful detail.
Alcohol is a moderate 13% but it’s not underpowered. This is very satisfying, balanced with pure fruit and fine grained tannins.
Who says top shelf Cabernet has to be heavy and tannic? Not Cullen Wines. 2020 Diana Madeline is fetching with immediate appeal. Get your hands on a few bottles if means allow. This is a wine that will live long in the memory."
Previous Releases
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2017 Diana Madeline
Diana Madeline Cullen always liked the cooler seasons for Cabernet Sauvignon, especially the 1982.
Read moreView Tasting Notes -
2019 Diana Madeline
These old vine Cabernet Sauvignon Houghton clones (8 different clones) were planted in 1971 on their own roots and are destined for the flagship wine Diana Madeline.
2018 produced small yields, being 5.88 tonnes per hectare of Cabernet Sauvignon from certified biodynamic, carbon negative fruit. This has created a natural wine with elegance, balance and power.Read moreView Tasting Notes -
2009 Diana Madeline 3L Double Magnum
Vanya has referred to 2009 as the Mozart vintage because all of the wines produced in that year are in perfect harmony and balance.
Read moreView Tasting Notes -
2018 Diana Madeline
These old vine Cabernet Sauvignon Houghton clones (8 different clones) were planted in 1971 on their own roots and are destined for the flagship wine Diana Madeline.
2018 produced small yields, being 5.88 tonnes per hectare of Cabernet Sauvignon from certified biodynamic, carbon negative fruit. This has created a natural wine with elegance, balance and power.Read moreView Tasting Notes