Cullen Margaret River Kevin John Chardonnay 2021  £110.00

CULLEN MARGARET RIVER KEVIN JOHN CHARDONNAY

Cullen Wines is a certified biodynamic, carbon-neutral and naturally powered estate, with their philosophy summed up in three simple words; ‘Quality, Integrity and Sustainability’. It is one of the oldest and most awarded family wineries in Wilyabrup, in Western Australia’s famous Margaret River region. First established in 1971 by Dr Kevin and Diana Cullen and now run by their daughter Vanya, the winery has built an outstanding reputation for fine-certified biodynamic wines that receive critical national and international acclaim. In 2019, celebrating 30 years at the helm, Vanya received double Winemaker of the Year honours at both the Australian Women in Wine Awards and the Halliday Wine Companion Awards.

This wine was named after Kevin John Cullen, a pioneer of the Margaret River wine region. Together with his wife Diana, they planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon in Wilyabrup. All the Chardonnay grapes were grown in three separate blocks in Cullen's own vineyards where the vines are more than 30 years old, having been planted in 1976 and 1988. Aspect is mostly level or southerly. Winemaker Vanya feels that her conversion to biodynamic viticulture has given better fruit, the character of which she has preserved during the winemaking process.

The 2021 harvest was defined by Covid and staff restrictions for hand harvesting. The low yields ensured that the crop was harvested at optimal condition and ripeness. Bird pressure was high and rain events during the growing seasons and also throughout harvest provided challenges. Harvest took place between 12th and 28th March.

The bunches were hand-harvested, whole-bunch, basket-pressed and the juice racked to barrel. Fermentation occurred with indigenous yeast. The wine underwent 100% natural malolactic conversion and spent a total of six months in French oak puncheons, of which 50% were new. The wine had no fining, filtration or cold stabilisation.

Straw in colour with green reflections. This incredibly perfumed wine has intriguing aromas of lime, vanilla, orange blossom, tropical fruits and mango. On the palate, concentrated fruit - lemon, lime, orange and mango. The length and minerality of the wine is carried through with a surge of fruit density and cleansing acidity. Persistent flavours linger.

James Halliday's Wine Companion - 97 Points - Gold

Matured in puncheons (35% new and of biodynamic origins) for eight months without further additions. The colour pick-up is substantial, but there's nothing in the bouquet that suggests premature ageing or maderisation, et al. It's complex but harmonious, long and balanced. There's more stone fruit, fig and melon than citrus, but that's intentional, and in tune with the Wilyabrup subregion.​

James Halliday