JAMES HALLIDAY – TASTING AN ICON

If you’re lucky enough to have a bottle of the Cullen Diana Madeline lying around or aspire to seek one out, James Halliday shares his notes on the past 30 vintages of this iconic Bordeaux blend.

At a back-vintage tasting of Margaret River’s Cullen Diana Madeline, in conjunction with Moss Wood, Woodlands and Fraser Gallop, the sheer consistency of the wines’ outstanding quality could not be matched. While each producer had a number of similarly great wines, the take-home lesson was the exceptional terroir of Margaret River for Bordeaux blends, comfortably in front of All.

Full tasting notes can be read in the Feb/March 2014 James Halliday Wine Companion Magazine and downloaded for iPad here.

2011 Diana Madeline – 97 Points. Cellaring / not less than 30 years.

2010 Diana Madeline – 96 Points. Cellaring / not less than 30 years.

2009 Diana Madeline – 95 Points. Cellaring / not less than 30 years.

2008 Diana Madeline – 94 Points. Cellaring / not less than 30 years.

2007 Diana Madeline – 97 Points. Cellaring / not less than 30 years.

2006 Diana Madeline – 93 Points. Cellaring / not less than 30 years.

2005 Diana Madeline – 95 Points. Cellaring / leave for 10 years, drink for another 20 years thereafter.

2004 Diana Madeline – 98 Points. Cellaring / another 25 years minimum.

2003 Diana Madeline – 97 Points. Cellaring / not less than 25 years.

2002 Diana Madeline – 97 Points. Cellaring / not less than 25 years.

2001 Diana Madeline – 97 Points. Cellaring / will cellar through another 25 to 30 years.

2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 90 Points. Cellaring / if this bottle is typical drink ovver the next 5 years.

1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 97 Points. Cellaring / 25 years to go.

1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 97 Points. Cellaring / not less than 25 years.

1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 94 Points. Cellaring / up to 10 years.

1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 89 Points. Cellaring / drink now.

1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 97 Points. Cellaring / 10 plus years.

1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 97 Points. Cellaring / up to 15 years.

1993 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 95 Points. Cellaring / up to 10 years.

1992 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 96 Points. Cellaring / up to 20 years.

1991 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 97 Points. Cellaring / 20 plus years, cork permitting.

1990 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 95 Points. Cellaring / up to 10 years.

1989 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 89 Points. Cellaring / drink now.

1988 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 90 Points. Cellaring / drink now.

1987 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 97 Points. Cellaring / if this bottle is typical, another 15 years.

1986 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 96 Points. Cellaring / 10 plus years.

1985 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 92 Points. Cellaring / drink now.

1984 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 95 Points. Cellaring / drink now to 5 years.

1983 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – 94 Points. Cellaring / drink now to 5 years.

WINE AUTHORITY
James Halliday