Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme as the world’s most revered noble varietal, with France’s Bordeaux region and California’s Napa Valley leading the charge. However, Margaret River in Western Australia is a hidden gem, offering incredible value in a world of soaring wine prices. Few regions can rival Margaret River when it comes to crafting world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.
What sets Margaret River apart from Napa and Bordeaux is its exceptional price-to-quality ratio—a distinction exemplified by Cullen Wines, one of the region’s pioneering estates. With roots dating back to the 1880s, Cullen Wines has been a cornerstone of Margaret River's winemaking legacy. The modern era began in 1971 when Kevin and Diana Cullen founded the winery, establishing it as a leader in Australian viticulture.
Now, we have an incredible opportunity for you—the 2020 “Diana Madeline” Cabernet Blend at a special price! With a suggested retail price of $125, this exquisite back-vintage release is available for just under $100—and if you purchase three bottles or more, you’ll enjoy 15% off, making it the best deal in the U.S.!
Cullen Wines solidified its reputation when the Cullens' daughter, Vanya Cullen, took the helm in 1989. By 1998, the vineyards had fully transitioned to organic farming, and since 2003, biodynamic practices have been the standard. The influence of the Cullen family on Australian winemaking is profound, with Vanya Cullen’s leadership earning widespread accolades.
Renowned critic James Halliday has consistently rated the winery’s flagship Cabernet Blend between 94 and 98 points for the past 25 years. By contrast, Napa and Bordeaux wines with similar scores often start at $150 or higher, making Cullen’s offering an unparalleled value—especially with its dedication to terroir-driven winemaking and biodynamic farming.
The 2020 Diana Madeline presents a deep, inky hue, leading to an aromatic bouquet of spiced minerals, blue fruits, exotic potpourri, and incense, layered with hints of tobacco leaf and vanilla. On the palate, a rich, seamless texture unfolds with blueberry, kirschwasser, spice cake, and cracked pepper. The finish is polished, supported by supple tannins that frame the vibrant black and blue fruit profile.
Whether enjoyed now with an hour of decanting or cellared for another decade, this wine offers a sensory experience that strikes the perfect balance between intellectual depth and pure indulgence.
Press Accolades:
98 Points, James Halliday Wine Companion:
"The perfumed bouquet has already soaked up the new oak, the purity of the fruit in a cassis-redcurrant-blueberry spectrum. The small berries of a quasi-drought summer might have imposed awkward tannins, but the medium-bodied palate is so perfectly balanced it has a drinking span of 30 years and counting."
96 Points, Wine Advocate:
" … both pure and muscular in the glass, with layers of cassis and dark chocolate, bramble and clove, aniseed and fennel. Pastrami nuances create dimension on the palate, as the ductile tannins provide chew and shape the finish.”
96 Points, Cellar Selection, Wine Enthusiast:
“Diana is a wine built to last the ages. It's expressive now, though, via layers of heady aromas like black currant, blackberry, pencil shaving, briny black olive: and spice box. Dusty, fine, sandy-textured tannins cinch the fresh, plummy fruit in the mouth. A tightrope of power and poise.”
