2023 Cullen Kevin John Chardonnay

Highly Rated
Outstanding release of Vanya Cullen's famed Kevin John Chardonnay. Undoubtedly one of the benchmarks of Margaret River.

Price:
Sale price$180.00
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Sold out
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Description

The Cullen Kevin John Chardonnay sits comfortably amongst the pantheon of Margaret River's finest Chardonnays.

Vanya Cullen's unrelenting quest for winemaking excellence is beautifully realised in this ode to her late father, Dr. Kevin John Cullen. The man's passion for Margaret River Chardonnay was legendary and this wine surely does him proud.

The fruit is hand picked exclusively on fruit days (the days of the biodynamic cycle which optimise fruit flavour) from the immaculate four decade old vineyard tended by the Cullen family. This is a wine of immense power and precision and stands as a constant reminder of the potential of Australian Chardonnay. The Cullen Kevin John sits at the apex of Australian Chardonnay and would make a fine addition to any serious cellar.

97 points
"I like this very much, the intensity dial turned down a notch, and there is an even flow of fruit-weight and freshness, with a curb of well-placed phenolics... An excellent Kevin John. From biodynamically grown grapes."
- Ned Goodwin MW (James Suckling)

96 points
"It’s a powerful expression of Wilyabrup Chardonnay, intense in acidity and flavour, it has spice and plenty of grip, lime nougat, a milk powder richness, and a bold finish of excellent length. Positively dripping with golden flavour and energy, but so very good."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)
96 points
"A rich, generous and quite open-knit style of chardonnay that's already drinking well." - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

The 2023 Kevin John is a powerful, bold, textural, example of a point in the journey with no end of discovering terroir through biodynamics. Picked across three weeks according to the biodynamic calendar, capturing fruit and flower days, from a full Moon, Moon opposite Saturn astral event to the new moon flower day in late February.

Hand harvested, whole bunch basket pressed. Fermented in concrete egg, amphorae and biodynamic puncheons. Eight months maturation in biodynamic oak puncheons of which 80% were new, bottled without fining or filtration. Made from 100% dry farmed biodynamically certified Wente/Gin Gin clone planted on their 1976-1988. Yield 1.7 tons per hectare. Will age well for 20 years under screwcap in the new lightweight bottle.

97 points - "I like this very much, the intensity dial turned down a notch, and there is an even flow of fruit-weight and freshness, with a curb of well-placed phenolics. The epithet is one of strident poise and restrained fruit, long and detailed across the mid-weighted palate. The oak is beautifully nestled, melding with a subtle nuttiness, effortlessly sublimated into the greater whole. An excellent Kevin John. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2027. Screw cap." - Ned Goodwin MW (James Suckling)

96 points - "Peach and dried pear, plenty of spice, cedar, brittle toffee and vanilla, cumquat, lime and white flower. It’s a powerful expression of Wilyabrup Chardonnay, intense in acidity and flavour, it has spice and plenty of grip, lime nougat, a milk powder richness, and a bold finish of excellent length. Positively dripping with golden flavour and energy, but so very good." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

"Light-medium yellow colour, quite full in its youth; the bouquet shows toasted almond, cashew and coconut aromas, spicy oak and some fluffy yeast lees traces, while the palate is rich and generous, quite forward and giving, with an impresison of fruit sweetness and a clean finish with perfectly judged phenolics giving it an appetising conclusion. A rich, generous and quite open-knit style of chardonnay that's already drinking well." - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

Cullen

The Cullen property has been in the Cullen family since 1948 with founders Diana Madeline and Kevin John planting the first vines on the farm in 1971.

Today Cullen sits as one of the top estates in Margaret River. Their impeccable versions of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are now both considered clear regional benchmarks.

The Cullen estate is farmed with a strict adherence to the principals of biodynamic farming. Current day owner and winemaker Vanya Cullen is one of the most outspoken advocates of the benefits of these practices in the industry and her results speak for themselves.

These are extraordinary wines that hold their own against the world's best. A gem of the Australian wine scene, to be sure.

Owner and winemaker, Vanya Cullen Cullen

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For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.

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