Cullen 'Kevin John' Chardonnay 2018
2018
£84.50
Availability: 92 in stock
Pome fruit, wild flowers and zesty characters on the nose. Complexity throughout the flavour profile with rich nectarine, almond, and citrus fruit coming through. Natural acidity brings perfect balance.
WINE PRODUCER
In 1965, Kevin and Diana Cullen were exploring other uses for their land in Wilyabrup in the Margaret River region, besides the raising of cattle and sheep. Their friendship with Dr John Gladstones- an expert in soil management and crop production at the University of Western Australia- proved vital, as he had identified Margaret River as an ideal spot for the growing of grapes, due to climatic similarities with some of the best wine regions in the world, such as Bordeaux. In 1966, Kevin and Diana, along with some of their friends, decided to plant some test vines, though unfortunately they were poisoned due to a misunderstanding, whilst Kevin and Diana were away. In 1971 they started again, this time using their own land, and those vines are still there today. In 1995 an adjacent plot of land was planted, named the Mangan Vineyard, which is farmed biodynamically, and both vineyards are used exclusively for Cullen wines. In 1989, Vanya Cullen, Kevin and Diana’s daughter, was appointed Chief Winemaker, and she has continued her parents’ interest in experimentation by investigating the soil and different trellis techniques for the vines.
Cullen produce one of Australia’s best cabernet merlot blends, named Diana Madeline in honour of the brand’s founding winemaker, which has consistently received stellar reviews from wine critics due to its depth, richness and length, allowing it to cellar for decades. In addition to the reds, Cullen is known for its superb chardonnays, such as the Kevin John, and the Kevin John Legacy series, from low-yielding vines, which can be cellared for at least 15 years. For the budget-conscious, Cullen also produce a range of reds, rosés and whites, with evocative titles such as ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’, ‘Dancing in the Sun’, and ‘Amber’.
For more information on Cullen and their wines check out their website.
WINE REGION
Australia’s western state, aptly named ‘Western Australia’, spans around a third of the continent. Although, while the state is huge, its grape output is minute, accounting for only 5% of Australia’s output. But what the region lacks in numbers, it makes up for in quality - boasting some of Australia’s finest wineries.
Pretty much all of Western Australia’s wine regions are situated on the continents south western tip, taking advantage of the cooler climate and considering the size of the state, it’s no surprise that there’s nine of them; Swan District, Perth Hills, Peel, Geographe, Blackwood Valley, Pemberton, Manjimup, Great Southern and Margaret River.
Each region is unique and stands out in its own way, yet one sits head and shoulders above all others - Margaret River. The location and climate allows vintners in the region to achieve near perfect results with very little effort. In fact Margaret River has been turning heads since a little after 1967, the date the first vines were planted. Margaret River is renowned for many varieties, but we are particularly fond of its Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Riesling and Sémillon / Sauvignon Blanc blends.
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