2023 Cullen Amber Sauvignon Blanc Biodynamic, Margaret River

The Cullen Amber Sauvignon Blanc Biodynamic from Margaret River is anything but ordinary. This skin-contact white, or “orange wine”, is a wild child from one of Australia’s most pioneering biodynamic estates, helmed by Vanya Cullen. A leader in sustainable viticulture and minimal intervention winemaking, Cullen Wines has long been blazing a trail in Margaret River, and the Amber is a brilliant example of their boundary-pushing finesse.

Made entirely from biodynamically grown Sauvignon Blanc, the Amber sees extended skin contact during fermentation, which gives it its distinctive deep golden-orange hue, complex texture, and beautifully savoury profile. It's fermented with indigenous yeasts, no additions, and bottled unfined and unfiltered — raw, expressive, and honest.

In the glass, this wine is wildly aromatic and complex. Expect orange peel, chamomile, dried apricots, grapefruit pith and ginger spice. On the palate, it walks a fascinating line between structure and energy, with grippy tannins, earthy minerality, and a bright acid thread tying it all together. It’s contemplative and textural, more akin to a red in structure than your typical Sauvignon Blanc.

This is not a wine for the faint-hearted. It’s for the curious, the adventurous — a natural wine with polish. It also rewards cellaring for up to 7 years, softening and deepening its already intriguing character.

Perfect with umami-rich foods: try it with miso eggplant, mushroom ramen, or a truffle-laced risotto. And if you're feeling bold, it’s surprisingly good with aged washed-rind cheese or even spiced lamb tagine.