2025 Cullen Kevin John Chardonnay 750ml

About This Wine

Renamed in 2006 to honour Dr. Kevin John Cullen, co-founder of Cullen Wines, this Chardonnay is made from Wente clone vines planted on their own roots in 1976.

The wine is crafted from biodynamically certified Chardonnay grapes grown at Cullen Vineyard and harvested around the biodynamic calendar over five different harvest times between 14 and 27 February.

The grapes were whole bunch basket pressed to puncheons, 50% of which were new oak. Natural primary and malolactic fermentations took place with indigenous microflora.

The wine spent seven months in barrel and underwent no fining, filtration or cold stabilisation.

Vintage 2025 followed a warm, dry growing season. Unusually warm conditions in May 2024 triggered a rare double budburst in Chardonnay, naturally reducing yields and resulting in tiny crops with concentrated fruit. Compared with 2024, the vintage displays more classical perfume and balance while retaining depth and refinement.

Please note: Due to very low production, The 2025 Kevin John has a 2-bottle limit when purchased online. For larger quantity purchasing options, please contact us directly.

Producer Notes

Colour
Brilliant straw with green tinges

Bouquet
Perfumed citrus blossom and persistent white florals, layered with ripe apple and pear. It evolves into a clean depth of dried figs with gentle touches of curry leaf and sea spray mist.

Palate
Poised and balanced, unfolding of citrus blossom & Mediterranean notes of figs and dates, with a fragrant journey of pear and apple lifted by a gentle green spice structure of turmeric and ginger finishing with a sweet touch of honeysuckle. The attractive, vibrant mineral acidity keeps the flavours lingering on the back palate, with tightly bound stone fruit, length, and a firm, clean finish.

Food Pairing
Lobster with ginger glaze or seared scallops with a Parmesan crust.

Specifications

• Vintage: 2025
• Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
• Region: Margaret River / Western Australia / Australia
• Fermentation: Natural primary and malolactic fermentation with indigenous microflora
• Maturation: 7 months in 50% new oak puncheons
• Production Attributes: Biodynamically certified, hand harvested, whole bunch basket pressed, no fining, no filtration, no cold stabilisation
• Vineyard / Geo Info: 100% Cullen Vineyard; Wente clone vines planted on their own roots in 1976
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Sweetness: Dry
• Drinking Window: 2026–2038

Awards, Ratings & Reviews

98/100 — Huon Hooke · 2025 Vintage · Published: 24 May 2026 · Drinking Window: 2026–2038
“Bright light to mid yellow colour; creamy sur-lie aromas, cashewnut, pie crust and cream filled pastries, lemon and grapefruit emerging later. The wine is full and precise, ample bodied with softly drying phenolics completing the picture. More citrus and stone fruit flavours appear with time in the glass. Acidity is soft and seamless: the structure is about phenolics as well as acidity. A beautiful wine that will reward cellaring.”

98/100 — Ken Gargett, Winepilot · 2025 Vintage
“...The intensity is maintained throughout, and the wine is seriously persistent. Notwithstanding the need for a little more time, this is yet another exquisite addition to the Kevin John series. Stunning stuff.”

97/100 — Andrew Caillard MW · 2025 Vintage
“Pale colour. Fresh grapefruit, nougat, vanilla, roasted almond aromas with hints of limes. Beautifully balanced and classical in structure with ample grapefruit, lemon curd, lime flavours, fine slinky textures, lovely mid-palate creaminess, underlying marzipan, roasted cashew notes and fresh long saline/supple acidity. Builds up chalky/ al dente at the finish with persistent minerally notes. Delicious to drink with superb purity and flow. Seven months maturation in 50% puncheons. Drink now – 2035+ 13.5% alc”

96/100 — The Wine Front · 2025 Vintage · Tasted: Apr 2026