2020 AMBER WINE, Cullen. Margaret River, Australia

Margaret River is Western Australia’s best know region, for good reason – the mild maritime climate produces elegant wines with natural freshness.

52% Sauvignon, 48% Semillon fermented ON SKINS (like a red wine) for up to a month. Then maturated in old oak for 3 months.

Vanya Cullen has been the area’s standard bearer for quality winemaking and biodynamic viticulture for some time now. Some consider biodynamics more witchcraft than science. What is very clear when visiting Cullen is that the vineyards are in extraordinarily good health – and the results in the bottle always seem to justify the means.

Unusually good ‘orange wine’ (white wine fermented on skins). There is none of the dirty or oxidised characters that ruin so many examples. It’s still a curiosity, but a light, fresh example and one worth trying.
The 2020 needs maturation – at its best from 2023.