Doctors seemed to dominate the establishment of now-famous vineyards in Australia back in the 1960s and 70s … Lake’s Folly in the Hunter Valley, Mount Mary in the Yarra Valley, and Moss Wood and Cullen in Margaret River among the most famous. Spurred by the eminent scientist Dr John Gladstone’s advice that Margaret River was suitable for high quality wines, Dr Kevin Cullen, with his wife Diana, became one on the pioneers of the area planting grapes in 1971 as well as running cattle and sheep. The area proved the perfect sanctuary for the complete range of Bordeaux grape varieties, and these became the core of the vineyard, with the later addition of Chardonnay. His wife succeeded him followed by their very talented winemaking daughter Vanya. Vineyards have long been certified organic and biodynamic, with the best fruit destined for red and white dedicated to the founding couple – Diana Madeline for the Cabernet blend and Kevin John for the Chardonnay – Australian classics both.

Aromas of perfumed violets and roses laced with wild berries and juicy cassis are well framed by a backbone of tobacco leaf and musk. The palate is poised, with fruit concentration and silky tannins that spread softly across the palate with unctuous, juicy satsuma plum, mulberry, cherry, and cigar box notes. The well-orchestrated length unfolds fine-grained tannins, wrapping around the palate.

The Cullen Metricup Chardonnay is a fresh and elegant expression from Margaret River, crafted with a minimalist, natural approach. The Chardonnay is from the Metricup area, and comes with authentic sustainable credentials from a certified organic vineyard in conversion to biodynamic.