Cullen Diana Madeline 2011 1.5L Magnum

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot

Diana Madeline is Cullen’s flagship Cabernet blend and has been a reference point for Margaret River since the 1970s. The estate, managed by the Cullen family for generations, has built a reputation for organic and biodynamic farming, low intervention winemaking, and a focus on site expression. The 2011 vintage was shaped by a cooler growing season, resulting in a wine of restraint and classic structure.

Diana Madeline brings together Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot in proportions that shift subtly each year to best reflect the vintage. For 2011, the blend leans heavily on Cabernet Sauvignon, backed by Merlot and smaller amounts of Malbec, Franc, and Petit Verdot. After nearly two years in French oak, the wine emerges with a nose that is unmistakably Margaret River: cassis, bay leaf, and graphite at the forefront, with savoury herbs and a gentle thread of cedar.

On the palate, this is not a showy wine. It is elegant and quietly persistent - medium-bodied, with cool, dark fruit, fine-grained tannin, and vibrant acidity. The structure is classic, the finish long and dry, and the overall impression is of restraint and clarity rather than sheer power. This 2011 Diana Madeline will reward patience and careful cellaring, standing as a testament to the value of a thoughtful season and a light touch in the winery.

Tasting Profile

Food Pairings:

Pork

Red Meat