2022 Cullen ‘Kevin John’ Chardonnay

96 Points - James Suckling, James Suckling

“Glorious aromas of buckwheat, like cold soba noodles, melding with quince, roasted nuts, tangerine and apricot pith. Always an incredibly intense mid-weighted expression, this iteration is gentler and more refined in a sense, due to immaculate poise and drinkability quotient. I often find this wine a bit too much. Not this vintage. Maritime freshness and a waft of unresolved CO2 carry length. Compact and filigreed. Almost breezy, intuitive of feel and effortless, in the very best sense of the word. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”

96 Points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion

“Even if this is a rich rendition full of white stone fruit, quince paste with pomelo dusted in ginger powder and daikon radish, it has the Kevin John thumbprint. And while all that's all well and lovely, it's how this feels that makes it special: a density of fruit yet succulence, fleshy and full with umami lees, this is pulsing with flavour and energy and the oak gives off a savoury appearance. As always, compelling. Closure: Screw cap. 13.5% alcohol. (Drink by 2035)”

95 Points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

“"This wine is harvested in Kevin John's 100th birth year. Harvested from 3 separate Wente clone chardonnay blocks, planted in 1976 and 1988, on their own roots," Gee, it's a powerful and dry spicy wine. Lemon peel, cinnamon and clove spice, pear, fresh pineapple, apricot, and ripe lime, roasted peanuts. It's flinty, zesty, kind of oaky too, but the fruit swallows it up, and carries on with aniseed, dried pear, lavish spice, tight grapefruity acidity, very intense, flinty and dry, chamomile and ginger on a finish of superb length. Chalky, spicy, oaky, a whole lot of Chardonnay power here, It's bursting with vitality and it's pretty full on as a young wine; like staring at the sun. But give it time, and it should reward most handsomely. (Drink between 2025-2032). Original score: 95+”

92 Points - Wine Spectator

“Appealing notes of toasted brioche and salted butter frame the peach preserves and lemon curd at the core, with candied ginger and salted, roasted almond accents, while vibrant acidity keeps the flavors fresh and in focus. Drink now. 50 cases imported.”