2021 vintage marks the 50th year of plantings for cabernet sauvignon at the Cullen Wilyabrup vineyard. Serendipity allows it also to be Diana Madeline’s 100th year, beginning on 11th February 2023. It’s incredible to imagine the times of planting in 1971, with no real knowledge of how things would turn out, just faith and great vision to feed the early pioneers of the region, we are talking and tasting the 50th vintage and the region is going from strength to strength on the national and international stage.
This wine is the culmination of over 50 years of dedication effort and respect for the land. The quest for better quality wine made using sustainable methods.

The grapes for this wine were hand harvested on the biodynamic fruit and flower days across 5 picks from the middle of March to the super Moon Flower day two weeks later (including a Moon opposite Saturn fruit day harvest). It was then aged in 50% new oak for a period of 15 months with barriques and puncheons and biodynamic barrels included. The final blend is 91% Cabernet.

Region: Margaret River, WA
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (91%), Merlot (4%), Cabernet Franc (3%), Malbec (2%)
ABV:
Closure: 750ml
Bottle Size:
Production:

95 Points - "Cherry, plum, dark chocolate, dried rose, lead pencil, baking spice. It’s medium-bodied, saline and distinctly ‘mineral’ with a ferrous quality, crushed slate tannin, spice, I’m thinking Davidson plum?, with that hint of tartness, a musky perfume, so much energy, combining light and shade, and a long gently chewy tannic finish. Distinctive wine stamped firmly with a sense of place." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

97 Points - "Very deep, bright purple-red colour; wonderful fragrance of red and blue fruits, violets and subtle herbal notes, the palate is very full bodied and loaded with tannins, a big wine of awesome concentration and arresting structure, with terrific drive and power. Long, long finish. It's just a babe and has a big future. This really has some wow factor" - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

96 Points - "The 2021 Diana Madeline is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon (91%), Merlot (4%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Malbec (2%). The only other time since the first 1995 vintage of this wine (formerly labeled as the Cabernet Merlot) that the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon has crested 90% or higher was the 2016 vintage, which saw 93% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2021 vintage in Margaret River was an interesting one, with several climate curveballs thrown at viticulturists during key times during the harvest season. Here, the fruit was handpicked on biodynamic fruit and flower days across five picks from the middle of March to the Super Moon flower day two weeks later. The wine was matured in French oak for 15 months (50% new). This 2021 is a lean, mineral rendition of the Diana Madeline, with bay leaf, rose petals, cassis, bramble and black tea forming layers that settle in the mouth. The tannins are grippy and very fine, causing one to chew slightly as one drinks. This is ethereal, as these wines often are, yet with line and length that belies its pretty curves and textures. The perfect, ideal apogee for this wine's drinking window is in the future. Get it while you can." - Erin Larkin (Robert Parker Wine Advocate)

94 Points - "A very special vintage of Diane Madeline, celebrating what would have been the 100th year for its namesake. A blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec in the cooler season has crafted a deeply coloured and classically elegant Claret style – so very different from 2020 but not in a bad way. Delicious purity is on show from the first moment with layers of mulberry, blackberry and blackcurrant with a dusting of Italian herbs plus touches of violets and graphite with 50% new French oak beautifully integrated. Then a structural palate takes hold defined by mouth coating ripe but sinewy tannins which hold the compact palate in check, fresh acid providing vibrancy and energy through to an elegant yet tight finish. Balance and length are impeccable which bodes well for the long haul." - Angus Hughson (Wine Pilot)

97 Points - "Diana Madeline. The name evokes a lot of emotions, for what the woman stood for then and what the wine stands for now. The 2021 vintage equals 50 years of cabernet sauvignon plantings at Cullen. When released in early 2023, it was on what would have been her 100th birthday. It’s a wine that can come from nowhere else, so strong is its sense of place. Expect to swoon over aromas of roses, violets and mulberries doused in baking spices, a ferruginous quality as much as detailed if persuasive tannins. It’s complex, complete and structured. Gosh, what a wine. What a woman. The perfect combination." - Jane Faulkner (Halliday Wine Companion)