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 is 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 and vegan suitable
• From Cullen’s Wilyabrup home in Margaret River, WA
• Classic Cabernet blend notes of blackcurrant, ironstone, cigar box, violet, dark chocolate and fine-grained tannins
• 8 months in French oak, with 23% new oak
• 94 points from The Wine Front and 93 points from Winepilot
• 13% ABV

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 has energy as well as depth and chew.

Winemaking

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

Vineyard & Vintage

The 2024 season was the hottest, driest and earliest harvest on record, producing small, concentrated yields and excellent flavour intensity. Fruit comes from a multi-vineyard blend, including 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 drinks beautifully now. It has the structure for the cellar, but the perfume, polish and savoury cadence make it instantly at home at the table. For lovers of classic Australian Cabernet without 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 — Find a Recipe
• Pork belly with roasted vegetables — Find a Recipe
• Mushroom and lentil ragù — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A long-lunch standout when the table is full, the conversation is flowing and you want one beautifully structured red that carries the whole meal.

Cellaring

Drink now for perfume, black fruit and a firmer tannin line, or cellar for up to 20 years under good conditions. With time, 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, earned organic certification in 2003, and built a reputation for biodynamic farming focused on 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 Cabernet blend, these are beautiful next pours:

• For another certified biodynamic Cabernet with cedar, violet and fine tannins — Kalleske Merchant Cabernet Sauvignon
• For an elegant organic Bordeaux blend with red fruit, spice and savoury structure — Chateau Jean Faux Les Sources
• For a biodynamic Cullen red with vibrant fruit, ironstone and natural energy — Cullen Mangan Vineyard Red Moon

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. You’ll also find ironstone, cigar box character and 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 a dry red, with residual sugar around 2 g/L. Body is medium to medium-full, but it stays energetic thanks to balanced acidity. It has concentration without heaviness.

How would you describe the tannins and acidity?

Tannins are fine-grained and firm — 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 stay fresh rather than flat, this is a strong match.

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

Serve at around 16–18°C, slightly cooler than a warm room. A Cabernet or Bordeaux-style glass, or any generous red wine glass, will help the perfume and savoury notes unfold. If it has been sitting in a warm kitchen, a short chill will sharpen the edges beautifully.

Should I decant it?

Yes, especially while it is young. A 30–60 minute decant will help soften the tannins and bring out more violet perfume, cedar and cocoa detail. It will also open nicely in the glass over dinner.

How long can I cellar Cullen Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2024?

You can drink it now or cellar it for up to 20 years. In the first few years, it will show fruit, perfume and structure; with time, expect more cigar box, cedar and earthy complexity. Store it somewhere cool, dark and stable for best results.

Is it organic, biodynamic and vegan?

Yes. Cullen Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2024 is certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable. That combination of serious farming credentials and classic Margaret River structure is a big part of Cullen’s appeal.

What about preservatives or sulphites?

This wine is certified organic and biodynamic, which means it is made under strict standards, including limits around sulphur use. It will still contain sulphites, as virtually all wines do. For wines made without added sulphur, explore our No Added Preservative range.

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 little char or richness. Cabernet lovers who enjoy 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, this will be right in your comfort zone.

(SKU: CW_CSM_CV)