Ranked #3 of 41 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc from Wilyabrup
95/100
5 Stars
Huon Hooke
Deepish red/purple colour. Black olive oak and cedary smoky aromas. Medium-bodied and lean, with taut, focused structure and elegance, if not particularly big or powerful. It has concentration and clarity, with appealing hints of violet. Balanced and discreet. Quite good length. This looks as if it needs time and should be a delicious, elegant style of cabernet when ready. (12% merlot, 4% malbec, 3% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot. 48% new oak)
Tasted: 27/09/2013
Drink: 2016 to 2046
93 Points Robert Parker
A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and aged 19 months in 48% new French oak barrels, the 2011 Diana Madeline is a medium to deep garnet-purple color and shows slightly muted notes of freshly crushed black currants, blackberries and red currants with hints of forest floor, cedar, bacon and lavender. Medium-bodied and tightly-wound on a very youthful palate, it is framed by medium to firm levels of grainy tannins and lively acid that supports the muscular fruit flesh. It finishes with great persistence. Drink it 2015 to 2026+.
Source: Robert Parker (Robert Parker Wine Advocate) by Lisa Perrotti-Brown. August, 2013
97 Points James Halliday
An 80/12/4/3/1% blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec, cabernet franc and petit verdot; 18 months in French barriques (48% new). The bouquet is perfumed and very attractive, but doesn't prepare you for the sheer intensity of the quite beautiful palate, with gloriously juicy redcurrant and cassis cradled by fine tannins and integrated oak. Drink to 2036.
Source: James Halliday. September, 2013