Cullen Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2024: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Cedar, Cigar Box & Classic

This is Margaret River Cabernet blend done the Cullen way: poised, savoury, and quietly powerful. There’s blackcurrant and mulberry depth, a Cabernet lift of red capsicum and dried herbs, then a darker sweep of cocoa and fine oak spice. The palate feels medium-bodied yet concentrated, with fine-grained tannins that sit like velvet corduroy and a long, mouth-watering finish that stays classy rather than loud.

Highlights

• Certified organic & certified biodynamic; vegan suitable (product specs)
• From Cullen’s Wilyabrup home in Margaret River, WA
• Winery notes: ironstone, cigar box, violets, rose, blackcurrant and dark chocolate, with fine-grained tannins
• Oak: 8 months in French oak (23% new); 13% alcohol (winery notes)
• Critic highlights: 94 points (The Wine Front – Gary Walsh); 93 points (Winepilot – Ken Gargett)

Taste Profile

Tasting Notes

The nose is instantly “Margaret River cabernet blend”: blackcurrant, mulberry and violet perfume, with ironstone, cigar box and a Cabernet thread of capsicum and sage. On the palate, wild red fruits and blackcurrant sit inside fine-grained, structured tannins, before a firm sweep of dark chocolate, cedar and sandalwood carries the finish. Balanced acidity keeps everything fresh and precise, so the wine feels energetic even with its depth and chew.

Winemaking

In 2024, fruit was picked on multiple days through February, with skin contact running roughly 5–11 days (winery notes). The wine spent 8 months in French oak with 23% new oak, aiming for structure and polish without drowning the fruit. Expect a Cabernet blend that feels classical in shape, with Cullen’s signature perfume and savoury detail rather than overt sweetness.

Vineyard & Vintage

The 2024 season is described by the winery as the hottest, driest and earliest harvest on record, with small, concentrated yields and excellent flavour intensity. Fruit comes from a multi-vineyard blend, and critic notes also reference a split between Cullen Vineyard and Metricup Vineyard. The result is a wine with ripe black fruit concentration, but still a fresh, mouth-watering line – very “Margaret River” in its balance.

Why We Love It

Because it’s a serious Cabernet blend that still feels beautiful to drink now. It has the structure for the cellar, but the perfume, polish and savoury cadence make it instantly at home at the table. If you love classic Australian Cabernet without the heavy-handed oak, this is a standout.

Food Pairing

This is a classic Cabernet blend built for protein, char and savoury flavours. Try matching this wine with →

• Lamb cutlets with rosemary and garlic – Recipe Search
• Pork belly with roasted vegetables – Recipe Search
• Mushroom and lentil ragù (or beef ragù) – Recipe Search

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A Long-Lunch Standout when the table is full, the conversation is flowing, and you want one genuinely “grown-up” red that carries the whole meal.

Cellaring

The winery suggests drinking now or cellaring for up to 20 years. In the near term, you’ll get perfume, black fruit and a firmer tannin line; with time, you can expect more cedar, tobacco and earthy complexity to build as the fruit relaxes. If you enjoy classic Cabernet development, this is a rewarding bottle to tuck away.

Producer

Cullen Wines is one of Margaret River’s benchmark estates, founded in 1971 in Wilyabrup by Dr Kevin Cullen and Diana Cullen. Under Vanya Cullen’s stewardship, the vineyard moved to total organic viticulture in 1998, earning organic certification in 2003 and building a reputation for biodynamic farming that prizes soil health, biodiversity and purity of expression. Cullen is best known for Cabernet blends and Chardonnay, and this Cabernet Merlot draws on multiple estate sources (including Cullen and Metricup) to capture the region’s signature poise: black fruit, savoury detail, fine tannins and freshness.

Related Wines To Try →

If you love this classic Margaret River line, these are beautiful next pours:

• For Cullen’s flagship Cabernet blend experience – Cullen Diana Madeline 2022
• For another elegant, structured red with savoury lift – Chateau Jean Faux Les Sources 2019
• For a biodynamic Margaret River red with finesse – Cullen Mangan Vineyard Red Moon 2024

FAQ

What style of red is this?

It’s a classic Margaret River Cabernet blend: dry, medium to medium-full bodied, structured and savoury rather than jammy. Expect blackcurrant, mulberry and herbal detail, with a firm tannin line that makes it a natural at the table. It’s refined, not flashy.

What will I taste in the glass?

Blackcurrant and mulberry sit at the core, with violet perfume and a Cabernet hint of capsicum, sage and spice. The winery also notes ironstone and cigar box character, plus a dark chocolate sweep through the finish. Overall, it reads as fruit plus savoury detail, framed by fine tannins.

How dry is it, and what’s the body like?

It’s properly dry (the product specs list residual sugar at around 2 g/L). Body is medium to medium-full, but it stays energetic thanks to balanced acidity. It feels concentrated without feeling heavy.

How would you describe the tannins and acidity?

Tannins are fine-grained and firm – the kind that feel silky but serious, giving the wine length and structure. Acidity is bright and mouth-watering, which is why this style works so well with food. If you like reds that feel “fresh” rather than flat, you’re in the right place.

What temperature should I serve it at, and what glassware suits?

Serve at around 16–18°C (a touch cooler than a warm room). A Cabernet/Bordeaux-style glass or any large red bowl helps the perfume and savoury notes unfold. If it’s been sitting in a hot kitchen, a short chill improves everything.

Should I decant it?

Recommended if you’re opening it young. A 30–60 minute decant softens the tannins and brings out more violet perfume, cedar and cocoa detail. If you’re sipping it over dinner, it will open beautifully in the glass too.

How long can I cellar it?

The winery notes it can be enjoyed now or held for up to 20 years. In the first few years, it’s all about fruit, perfume and structure; with time, expect more cigar box, cedar and earthy complexity. Store in cool, dark, stable conditions for best results.

Is it organic, biodynamic and vegan?

Yes – the product specs list it as certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable. That’s part of what makes Cullen so beloved: serious wine, made with serious farming credentials. It’s a confident choice if those values matter to you.

What about preservatives (sulphites)?

This wine is certified organic and biodynamic, which means it’s made under strict standards, including limits around sulphur use. It will still contain sulphites, as virtually all wines do. The feel in the glass is clean and precise, with no “preservative-y” edge.

What should I eat with it, and who will love it?

Lamb cutlets, venison, steak, pork belly and roasted vegetables are all ideal – anything savoury with a bit of char or richness. Cabernet lovers who like structure and savoury detail will adore it, as will anyone who usually reaches for Bordeaux blends. If you like Moss Wood Cabernet, Vasse Felix Cabernet, or classic Bordeaux, you’ll feel right at home here.

(SKU: CW_CSM_CV)