There is pressure on a winemaking team every time they craft an icon wine.
For Vanya Cullen and her team in Margaret River there was even more pressure than usual when they put together the 2021 Cullen Diana Madeline, a Margaret River flagship.
The 2021 Diana Madeline, named in honour of the co-founder of Cullen and Vanya's mum, will be released on February 11 - which would have been the 100th birthday of Diana Madeline.
The new release is, fortunately for all concerned, a wine worthy of the occasion; complex but cohesive.
The vintage report is certainly positive: "The low yields ensured that the crop was harvested at optimal condition and ripeness".
There were, however, issues with birds - there were several unwanted rain events during the growing season.
"In spite of these adverse conditions we finished harvest in good time in Wilyabrup and are very happy with the wines."
As always, the 2021 Diana Madeline was picked according to the biodynamic calendar. It is a blend of 91% caberner sauvignon, 4% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 2% malbec that was matured for 15 months in 50% new French oak.
It is an assertive wine with dark plum and blackcurrant fruit notes to the fore, but is pleasingly restrained in the Bordeaux tradition at just 13.5% alcohol. I gave it an outstanding 97/100.
You'll probably pay around $160 per bottle at retails outlets, which is more than fair for a wine this distinguished and beautifully integrated. https://www.cullenwines.com.au/
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