Cullen 'Grace Madeline' Sauvignon Semillon 2025
Cullen Grace Madeline is a remarkable Australian white wine from Margaret River, blending Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes. It is named in honour of Diana Madeline’s mother, Grace, a London-born Suffragette who campaigned for women's rights. The fruit is sourced entirely from the Cullen Vineyard from vines planted in 1976. Grown on ancient granite and red gravelly loam, these dry-farmed vines are trained on a Lyre trellis to manage their vigour, ensuring the grapes ripen fully and produce highly concentrated flavours. The harvest is brought in across three separate stages. The Sauvignon Blanc is picked first, given overnight skin contact for added texture, and fermented in French oak barrels using wild yeasts. It then rests in oak for six months. The Semillon is crushed and pressed straight away, also spending time in French oak before the two are finally blended and bottled. Pouring a light straw yellow with golden hints, the wine is intensely aromatic. The glass fills with scents of white blossom, honey, and beeswax alongside fresh apple and a touch of citrus. On the palate, it is highly structured with bright acidity, delivering deep flavours of dried pear, lemon curd, and a subtle hint of vanilla. With its textural weight and bright citrus notes, this white wine needs a dish with a bit of richness. It is a superb match for roasted pork belly, buttery scallops, or a comforting chicken and tarragon pie.
