{"product_id":"cullen-wines-diana-madeline-2012","title":"Cullen Wines Diana Madeline 2012","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDiana Madeline from Cullen’s 2012 vintage, a landmark era for Margaret River Cabernet.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Cullen Wines Diana Madeline 2012 is a classic Margaret River Cabernet-based red composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. The vintage produced beautifully ripe fruit, with the Cabernet Sauvignon harvested over three concentrated days in early March. After harvest, the grapes were partly crushed and partly retained as whole berries before fermentation, followed by an average of 21 days on skins. The extended maceration was possible because of the ripeness and quality of the tannins. Following pressing, the wine matured for 19 months in French barriques, of which 38% were new.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2012 Diana Madeline combines ripe black and red fruits with the savoury, mineral and herbal complexity characteristic of Margaret River Cabernet. Blackcurrant, cherry, mulberry and blueberry are layered with graphite, bay leaf, anise, cedar, mocha and subtle earthy notes. The palate is medium-bodied yet concentrated, with fresh acidity providing definition and energy through the fruit. Fine, persistent tannins create a precise structure without overwhelming the wine's elegance or perfume. Its combination of fruit purity, savoury complexity and remarkable length gives the wine both immediate refinement and considerable potential for further bottle development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOSE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Perfumed, dark-fruited and savoury\u003cbr\u003eBlackcurrant, cherry, mulberry and blueberry with graphite, bay leaf, anise, dried herbs, cedar and mocha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePALATE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Medium-bodied, precise and finely structured\u003cbr\u003eFresh red and black fruits are carried by vibrant acidity and fine-grained tannins, with graphite, savoury herbs, cedar and dark chocolate adding complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFINISH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e– Long, elegant and persistent\u003cbr\u003eDark berries, mineral notes, bay leaf, cedar and bitter chocolate linger over finely structured tannins and a fresh, composed finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews \u0026amp; Accolades\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e“The palate has astonishing power and length given its alcohol, reflecting the years during which the vineyard has been managed biodynamically, the soil filled with life and beneficial micro-organisms that are indisputably having a positive impact on the vines. You might well be looking at a wine from Bordeaux's Left Bank, coiled up like a spring, but perfectly balanced, the finish almost painfully long. Drink by 2042.”\u003c\/em\u003e — James Halliday, Wine Companion, 98 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Hang on to your hats boys and girls, Cullen are back in the game. Those ‘other’ critics may have gone large on what I’d like to call ‘the experimental vintages’ between 2008 and 2011, but trust me, this is the one. It’s hit the sweet spot. The right alcohol. The right ripeness. The righteous. The right stuff. The nexus of Margaret River, Cabernet and Cullen – gone boom. Release July 2014. Perfect ripeness. Floral perfume, regional seaweed, aniseed and bay leaf, mixed berries – red, black and blue – backed with beautiful mocha and cedar oak. Medium bodied, super fine dense ‘graphite’ tannin – to the tooth – freshness, fruit weight, flavour, elegance and length. All here. Not a hair out of place, and yet, has character and charisma. Vivacious. Not trying too hard. Pitch perfect Margaret River Cabernet. A wine for Australia to be proud of”\u003c\/em\u003e — Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, 97 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Still very fresh and youthful blueberry, mulberry and blackcurrant with some chocolate and sweet earth. Gently leafy with some dried forest wood, this is still very fresh. The palate is super fine and elegant, very focused and linear, with a core of succulent, fresh dark-berry flavor that runs along a central spine. So impressive and really poised. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”\u003c\/em\u003e — James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, 96 Points\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiner Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrand - Cullen Wines\u003cbr\u003eStyle - Red Wine\u003cbr\u003eVarietal - Red Blend\u003cbr\u003eGrape Blend \/ Cépage - 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc\u003cbr\u003eCountry - Australia\u003cbr\u003eState - Western Australia\u003cbr\u003eRegion - Margaret River\u003cbr\u003eVintage - 2012\u003cbr\u003eABV - 13.5%\u003cbr\u003eSize - 750ml\u003cbr\u003eCertification - Organic, Biodynamic\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cullen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44338487689303,"sku":"CUL-DIAN-12","price":219.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0043\/9258\/3217\/files\/e49b67a3-2343-4677-816d-3b301a4e202e.webp?v=1790309979","url":"https:\/\/kentstreetcellars.com.au\/products\/cullen-wines-diana-madeline-2012","provider":"Kent Street Cellars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}