2009 Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
From a double magnum presented to me as part of my Cullens Award of Excellence to be shared with many friends. 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot and 2% Malbec. Dark ruby with a shaded rim – looks fully mature. Subtle mature-claret nose. Tannins fully resolved. Sweet palate entry. Good gentle balance between fruit and acidity; this should make a fine drink without food. Absolutely pure. Just what the doctor (Kevin John Cullen, husband of Diana Madeline?) ordered. Very gently fading but still a lovely drink. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
This is fresh and ripe and has an earthy, savory edge to the nose, together with crushed leaves and forest wood. Thereâs a little spice and chocolate amid darker plums and berries. Some blueberry and roasting herbs, too. The palate is quite dense and flavor-packed with blue and dark berries, yet quite elegant. The fruit sits really nicely inside long, linear tannins. I like the freshness here and this is aging well. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 2% Malbec. Mid ruby. Tomato stalk and black plum fruit. Moderate intensity and quite light fruit character, all things considered. Delicate structure. Lovely herbal quality to the nose – not unripe, but certainly on the green side – but little in the way of real complexity. (RH)
88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 2% Malbec. Light, fresh and more relaxed than most. Dom de Chevalier? Dry finish. Racy. This is not a point-scoring wine and all the better for it. Subtle. (JR)