Tasting Notes 🍋

Colour
Light gold with green tinges.

Bouquet
Attractive and expressive. Ripe Mediterranean fruit characters of fig, dates and stone fruits flow into subtle herbal glances of lemongrass and ginger. Delicate vanilla bean sits quietly in the background, adding a gentle hint of complexity rather than overt oak.

Palate
Ripe peach, green apple and pear lead the palate. The mid palate tightens and brightens with kumquat and lemon curd, delivering freshness and refined acidity, finishing with a delicate mineral elegance and a clean, lingering line.

Food Match
Citrus cured salmon and fennel slaw.

Vintage 2025 Summary ☀️

Vintage 2025 began early after a warm, dry growing season. Unusually warm conditions in May 2024 triggered a rare double budburst in Chardonnay, with some shoots trying to wake before winter and again after. This naturally reduced fruitfulness, resulting in tiny crops and beautifully concentrated fruit. Bird pressure was present early, then eased as blossom progressed.

The whites from 2025 show lifted perfume, texture and depth, with slightly softer natural acidity than 2024, making them very appealing on release while still cellar worthy. Across the board, 2025 trades the heat and power of 2024 for more classical perfume and balance.

Viticulture and Winemaking 🌱

• Region: Metricup, Margaret River, Western Australia

• Vineyard: 100 percent Metricup vineyard, planted 1998

• Farming: Certified organic, in conversion to biodynamic

• Variety: 100 percent Chardonnay

Harvest
Hand harvested over two days

• 18 February, Flower Day

• 23 February, Fruit Day

Winemaking

• Predominantly tank fermented to preserve fruit purity

• Small portion fermented and or matured in French oak for texture

• Cool fermentations with minimal oak influence, Chablis inspired

• Natural yeast fermentation

• No additions of acidity

• Crafted to emphasise purity, mineral line and site expression

Alcohol
13.5 percent

Serving and Cellaring ❄️

• Serve at 10 degrees

• Enjoy now for its bright fruit, mineral line and freshness

• Cellar up to 10 years for added complexity, with more savoury, nutty and honeyed notes developing over time

FAQ 🧐

Is this like Kevin John Chardonnay?
Not really. Kevin John is richer and more oak driven. Metricup Chardonnay is intentionally made in a more Chablis inspired style with minimal oak, cool fermentation and a tighter, more mineral frame.

What does organic in conversion to biodynamic mean?
It means the vineyard is certified organic and is in the process of meeting biodynamic standards, focusing on soil health, biodiversity and natural farming systems.

Will it taste oaky?
No. A small portion sees French oak for texture, but the wine is primarily stainless steel fermented and designed to keep oak subtle and supportive.

Learn About Cullen Winery

Cullen Wines is a Western Australian winery based in Wilyabrup, within the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. A long standing 5-star Halliday winery, it is consistently winning awards and highly regarded by many as of the region’s best.

Winegrowing commenced on the Cullen property in Margaret River half a century ago. Research conducted in the early 1960s revealed the region’s exceptional attributes, particularly conducive to cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Acting upon the counsel of esteemed agronomist Dr. John Gladstones, Dr. Kevin and Diana Cullen established an acre of vines at Wilyabrup in 1966 as a trial. Encouraged by its success, they expanded their endeavor, planting 18 acres of vines.

Since the establishment of the Estate, chemical intervention has been kept to a minimum, with a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship by the family. In 1998, a decisive shift towards total organic viticulture was initiated. Diana and Vanya, guided by their intuition, embarked on a journey to restore the soil by replenishing what had been depleted. Their efforts bore fruit when the Cullen Vineyard achieved A Grade Organic Certification in 2003, followed by A Grade Biodynamic Certification in 2004 (Vineyard) and 2008 (Winery) by the Biological Farmers Association of Australia.

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Read the latest Ray Jordan Cullen Wine Reviews Here