2005 CHARDONNAY

  
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Cullens have gradually been carefully refining their approach to making Chardonnay, with the result that this latest release is the most elegant of the wines they have made from the great white variety of Burgundy. This elegance has not been achieved, however, at the expense of fruit depth and density. The 2004 Cullens Chardonnay is a great wine from all perspectives.

  
 
     
Tasting notes   Reviews
     

The yields of Chardonnay at Cullen’s in 2005 were down by 50% from that of a typical year and thus less than 1 tonne to the acre! Although this has reduced the amount of 2005 Chardonnay that were able to be produced, those low yields have resulted in the production of a wine of remarkable intensity and one which ranks among the very best yet made at Cullen’s.

The biodynamic approach to viticulture has had the great advantage for Chardonnay in leading to ripeness at lower Baumés and thus lower alcohol levels and higher acidity. The Cullen’s Chardonnay is thus becoming more elegant and integrated and no longer requires acid adjustment.

The fruit for this wine was picked in excellent condition and at optimal ripeness. It was then whole bunch pressed and fermented in 100% new French barriques using wild yeasts and remained in that oak for nine months until bottling.

Colour: Brilliant golden straw with green tinges
Bouquet: Very interesting and complex combination of ripe melon, lime, lemon and match stick aromas
Palate: Vibrant, silky and with great texture. Complex and delicious rock melon fruit in middle palate. Very well integrated and leaves lovely lingering flavours
Cellaring: At least SIX years
Food: Crustaceans, chicken, veal and pasta
 

Jeremy Oliver, The Australian Wine Annual 2008

Still a little youthful and angular, this substantial and searingly intense chardonnay should settle down nicely. Slightly spirity and oaky, its intense aromas of lime juice and ruby grapefruit are backed by nuances of cloves and wheatmeal. Its sumptuous, smooth and even palate of piercing, tangy mango, melon and grapefruit flavour and assertive new oak is punctuated by rather a bracing cut of acidity. Long and dry, it simply needs time.

Huon Hooke, Tastings, The Sydney Morning Herald,
28 August 2007

2005 Chardonnay
This is one of the most impressive chardonnays of the year so far: a wine of breathtaking depth, balance and complexity that fully supports this winery’s lofty reputation. I love it. Light-to-mid-yellow in colour with a youthful, fresh bouquet showing complexities from the subtle use of malolactic and barrel fermentation, resulting in peachy, nutty, buttery and spicy aromas. In the mouth its intense and refined in texture, with what Len Evans might have called “great line and length”. A stunner. Now to 2012+ 96/100

Food: roast chicken, pheasant or pork; grilled crayfish, barbecued marinated king prawns, boiled lobster with home-made mayonnaise, ripe French brie.