Some very good friends from Sydney were visiting their son in Houston so I thought an older Aussie Cab would be a nice wine to share with them
1994 Cullens Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot: I think this was the last year Cullens made a Reserve Cab Sav. Cepage is 85% Cab Sav, 10% Merlot and 5% Cab Franc. Youthful bright red colour, lovely enticing dark red fruited nose with some aged gentle leafiness. Very smooth and long in the mouth. Nice mid palate plummy roundness and richness probably from merlot. Very youthful palate with lots of bright cab fruits balanced with fine well resolved tannins. Lovely acidity helped frame the finish with a nice touch of minerality. Almost delicate and crisp and very fresh tasting. Delicious and very enjoyable now but apparently with plenty of life left in it. It got a bit richer and darker fruited over several hours. This was a very refined expression on Cab that was light on its feet.
Brodie
Nice work Brodie. I’m pretty sure I have '95/'97 “reserves” of this kicking around somewhere, so maybe it was from '98 that they dropped that labeling?
nice one, Brodie. Thanks for sharing
Probably the first wine mentioned when people ask about a “balanced” Australian cabernet. And I think it’s more consistent than Moss Wood or Mt. Mary.
Nice TN Brodie. Those older Cullens often show quite well up against Bordeaux of similar age.
Best, Howard
Reserve was between 1988 and 1994 according to Halliday’s classic wines of Australia.
Hi Rauno, I am not sure about the Reserve labels after 1994, you should check the bottles. I did buy the 1995, 1996 and 1998 regular bottling and do not remember there being a reserve offered. It was a long time ago so the memory is not great…
Cheers Brodie
Had a 89 a few weeks ago. Great wine from a lesser vintage.
PS i also remember the 94 was the last vintage of the reserve (same as moss wood reserve)