2024 Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet, Margaret River

2024 was always facing a tough task following on from the truly sensational 2023 vintage. In Margaret River however, wonderful vintages seem the norm rather than the exception. 2024 broke records as the earliest, driest and hottest vintage experienced by the region, but the team found that biodynamic practices enabled the vineyards to come through and offer yet another superb DM Cab. Harvest took place over six pickings, on Fruit and Flower days and concluded on a Moon opposite Saturn astral event. The fruit was placed in a mix of amphorae and stainless steel tanks for wild fermentation and skin contact ranged from 15 to 78 days. Maturation was for an average of fourteen months, 50% of the barrels being new oak. The oak was a combination of puncheons and biodynamic barriques. The final wine is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon 5% Cabernet Franc 3% Malbec and 2% Merlot. Near black/maroon with a dark magenta rim, the nose reveals aromas of black fruits, tobacco leaves, cloves, a touch of axle grease, chocolate, cassis, aniseed and blackberries. Brilliantly structured, the texture is sleek and seductive with succulent fruit throughout. The wine is very, very long and finishes with the silkiest of tannins. A wonderful Margaret River Cabernet which will sail through the next twenty years. Over that period, there is room for further improvement.

98 points Ken Gargett for Wine Pilot

Very deep red-purple colour, with a beautifully fragrant nose of cedar, tobacco leaf, crushed mulberry and blackberry, the full-bodied and muscular palate sporting masses of tannins which are ripe and supple without astringency or bitterness. This is very concentrated and power-packed, and begs to be left alone for several years before broaching, and will pay off big time if cellared. Hide it away to get your full money's worth. A glorious cabernet blend of outstanding potential. 17 May 2026 Drink 2029–2049

97 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review

The 2024 Diana Madeline leads with punctuated cassis, bay leaf, sweet tobacco, nori, blackberry, dark chocolate and licorice. In the mouth, the wine is laden with graphite tannins and phenolic grip, and yet, as with all of the Diana Madelines, the texture has a finely milled, pulverized, fine quality to it. I judge this wine to be relatively open-weave in relation to its vintage peers at their same time on release, perhaps indicating that this will need less time in the cellar in order to come around for earlier drinking. To be clear, this is no indictment on its ability to age. This is very good, plush yet still herbal. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. According to the technical data supplied by Cullens, 2024 vintage was the hottest, driest and earliest harvest on record. Rainfall turned off like a tap at the end of September 2023, with nominally no rain until the season broke in May 2024. Unseasonable warmth all through the growing season combined with heat waves in January meant harvest started early and was over extremely quickly. The ample marri blossom and dry conditions meant both bird and disease pressure were low. Both whites and reds reflect opulence and power that show great promise for the future. Hand-harvested over six picks, starting in mid-February and culminating on a moon-opposite-Saturn astral event a few weeks later. Following this. it matured for 14 months in 50% new French oak. The final blend comprises 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 2% Merlot.

95 points Erin Larkin for The Wine Advocate

Few wines have shaped the story of modern Australian fine wine quite like Diana Madeline. Named in honour of Diana Cullen, whose vision helped establish Margaret River as one of the world's great Cabernet regions, this flagship release remains the benchmark for elegance, longevity and biodynamic viticulture in Australia. Vanya Cullen continues the family legacy with an uncompromising focus on sustainability and a deep respect for the land that surrounds the Wilyabrup estate.

The Cullen vineyards sit on ancient gravelly loam soils just a few kilometres from the Indian Ocean, where cooling maritime breezes and a long growing season allow Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen slowly and evenly. Diana Madeline is traditionally led by Cabernet Sauvignon with supporting roles from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, creating a wine that combines structure, perfume and remarkable complexity.

The colour is a deep crimson with youthful purple hues at the rim. Aromas of blackcurrant, mulberry and dark cherry rise from the glass alongside violets, cedar, tobacco leaf and fine graphite. The palate is beautifully poised, layering cassis and plum fruit over silky tannins and finely integrated oak. Notes of bay leaf, dark chocolate and pencil shavings emerge with air, while the finish is long, savoury and effortlessly elegant in a style that has made this wine one of Australia's modern classics.

A magnificent partner for slow roasted lamb shoulder, dry aged rib eye, wild mushroom pappardelle or roasted eggplant with black garlic and herbs. While already captivating in its youth, this is a wine built for the cellar and should continue to evolve gracefully for twenty years or more.