2025 Cullen ‘Kevin John’ Chardonnay

98 Points - Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot

“The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. A warmer than usual vintage, and dry one, resulted in very small crops, so lovers of this wonderful Chardonnay will need to move quickly to ensure they do not miss out. The good news is that the tiny crops meant concentrated fruit and a high quality vintage. It does seem that all Margaret River ever does is provide variations on the theme of high quality vintages. Not that we are complaining. Shimmering lemon gold in colour, this is certainly youthful but wonderfully balanced and seriously concentrated. On the nose, we have notes of stone fruits, jasmine, peaches, nectarines and beautifully integrated oak. The structure is seamless and there is a fine line of acidity running the full length of the wine. Ideally, leave this for two to three years and then drink it over the following ten to twelve. The intensity is maintained throughout, and the wine is seriously persistent. This is yet another exquisite addition to the Kevin John series. Stunning stuff.”

97 Points - Andrew Caillard MW

“Pale colour. Fresh grapefruit, nougat, vanilla and roasted almond aromas with hints of limes. Beautifully balanced and classical in structure with ample grapefruit, lemon curd and lime flavours, fine slinky textures, lovely mid-palate creaminess, underlying marzipan, roasted cashew notes and fresh long saline acidity. Builds up chalky and al dente at the finish with persistent minerally notes. Delicious to drink with superb purity and flow. Seven months maturation in 50% puncheons. Drink: Now-2035+.”

97 Points - Cyndal Petty, Wine Pilot

“This sits outside the usual frame of Margaret River Chardonnay. Every year. A singular fruit profile, and a formidable texture that sets it apart. Orange cantaloupe, almond cream, beeswax and flake salt. Honeyed, with ginger spice that nods to ancient winemaking traditions. In the mouth, the biodynamic fruit shows beeswaxed texture with fine phenolic grip, carried by a fine chalky acid line. It tightens through the palate, still very young, and finely detailed. Concentration is there, but controlled and poised. Cumquat, salted white peach, white pepper and rolled oats. The line expands, wrapped in terracotta-like texture. The finish is long and sustained.”

98 Points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review

“Bright light to mid yellow colour; creamy sur-lie aromas, cashewnut, pie crust and cream filled pastries, lemon and grapefruit emerging later. The wine is full and precise, ample bodied with softly drying phenolics completing the picture. More citrus and stone fruit flavours appear with time in the glass. Acidity is soft and seamless: the structure is about phenolics as well as acidity. A beautiful wine that will reward cellaring.”