The exceptional quality of this wine explains why we consider the 2004 vintage to be so outstanding for our red wines. In our view, even at this young stage in the development of our flagship red wine, we are totally confident that the quality of the 2004 Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot ranks with the 1995, 1999 and 2001 vintages, which were the previous outstanding vintages of the last fifteen years.

The quality of the 2004 vintage red wines reflect the perfect conditions that existed onwards from just prior to bud burst. The good rainfall in the months up to November 2003 produced perfect conditions for the vines in the early part of the growing season. The main growing season was cool and dry, which was ideal as the vines did not become even mildly stressed. This was followed by warm but not extreme temperatures, which led to the production of red grapes that attained perfect physiological ripeness.

The 2004 Diana Madeline was produced from fruit obtained using biodynamic techniques, which we consider to be crucial for optimising the quality of the fruit flavours and for investing the wine with a velvety structure and very high quality tannins.

This wine was made from a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The fruit was picked at Baumé’s ranging from 12.1- 13.7º, producing an average value of 13.5º. The wine was matured for 18 months in French oak, of which 54% was new.

“An extremely elegant but powerfully constructed cabernet blend whose alluring fragrance reveals layer after layer of dark berries, black cherries, cranberries, plums and dark chocolate/vanilla oak. Its profoundly intense expression of bright cherry/berry fruit reveals classical notes of dried herbs and superlative oak, all framed by chalky, drying and faintly bony tannins. First-rate length and structure, with a persistent core of pristine flavour.97 points, drink 2024-2034”Jeremy Oliver