Who makes it?

Cullen is easily recognised as one of Australia’s best wine producers. They were also an early adopter of biodynamic wine making, and not just in Australia. Furthermore, the Cullen family were one of the early families to plant vineyards and make wine in Margaret River itself. 

While the Cullen Estate was always farmed using minimal intervention techniques, it was changed to fully organic in 1998. Biodynamic certification was not long after. Their first vineyard was certified in 2004.

However, it cannot be denied that Cullen is known the world over for their collectible and very high quality wines. 

How do they make it?

Cullen Amber is an extended skin white wine. It is unsurprisingly a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (50 - 60%) and the rest is Semillon. Indeed, the Bordeaux blanc blend is one of Cullen’s specialities. 

The grapes were grown and harvested as per biodynamic principles. Then the grapes were ferments in selection of vessels, including amphorae, where the wine spent around 10 days on its skins.  To add some gentle creaminess, the wine then spent 3 to 5 months in French oak. Usually the oak is older oak. However, sometimes there can be a portion of new oak.

So, not very long on skins, but long enough to give depth of colour and a very silky, almost glossy texture.

What does it taste like?

Firstly, one of the things that stands out about this wine is the colour. It is an amber hue due to that time on skins. The wine is prone to vintage variations. Some vintages can be more herbal and nettley. What I have found though is that there is a consistent peachy citrus character. There might be some floral pepperiness there too. So, while I have been watching this wine over the years, it is always interesting and always good drinking.

It certainly has that silky, slinky mouth feel that extended skin contact wines tend to have. As well as the fleshy body. However, these grapes are in the hands of a skilled team of winemakers. If you wanted a a wine to start to understand ‘natural’ wines, this is a great place to start.

What to drink it with?

This is a versatile white wine and can be enjoyed with fish and seafood. Maybe a white fish fillet sprinkled with almonds and a buttery sauce. Alternatively, it would also be great with an onion tartlet.

Cheese

Yes please.  Something fresh like chevre or feta.

Quickie review « A fresh amber coloured wine with citrus, stonefruit with a silky, slinky appeal. »

Country of Origin: Margaret River, Australia
Tasting Date: October 2021 & September 2024
Price:  UK £30 | AU$40  |USD$ 30++ 
Drink: now – 7+ years
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

If you like Cullen Amber wine, why not check out Natural wines – 5 wines you should be drinking.
If you like a classic Margaret River white, you might enjoy the Cullen Mangan Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Semillon.

Visit cullenwines for more.

First published January 2022 & updated September 2024