$169.00
| /
Region: Margaret River
Grapes: Chardonnay
First Glance: Concentrated, Phenolic, Exotic Spice, Stonefruit
Acclaim: 97pts
The Wine:
Renamed in 2006 to honour Dr. Kevin John Cullen, co-founder of Cullen Wines, this Chardonnay is made from Wente clone vines planted on their own roots in 1976.
Hand harvested around the biodynamic calendar over 5 different harvest times from the 11nd to the 19th January including a New Moon Fruit Day and crafted from biodynamically certified Chardonnay grapes.
The grapes were whole bunch basket pressed to puncheons of which 50% were new. The natural fermentation, both primary and malolactic, took place with indigenous microflora. This wine spent 6 months in barrel and has had no fining, filtration or cold stabilisation.
The Review:
Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot - 97pts
"Always one of our greatest Chardonnays, not just a great Margaret River Chardonnay. Full biodynamics as always, Gin Gin clone from plantings made between 1976 and 1988, largely new oak, we are seeing this wine released in the new lightweight bottles. Environmentally positive, though it does seem to rob the wine of some of its gravitas. Fortunately, it is what is in the bottle that counts. A straw/lemon hue, this is a very youthful Chardonnay, but it is elegance personified, with energy and focus and the signs of very early complexity. There is a beautifully creamy texture here with fine, citrussy acidity. The nose offers notes of peaches, florals, ginger, hints of nectarine, bergamot and lemon curd. This is poised and taut, a wine of precision. Long and lingering, there are notes of oatmeal on the palate. Leave it for a couple of years and it will be very special. Then enjoy for a further twelve to fifteen years."
