2017 Cullen Mangan Vineyard Red Moon

Certified organic this is a blend of 57% Malbec, 37% Petit Verdot and 6% Merlot matured in French oak (10% new) for 9 months. Totally opaque black dark red colour with a vibrant purple red hue. Nosing reveals ripe red cherry and red currant aromas which merge with earthy vanillin cedar and fresh herb notes. Light to medium weight, fresh and elegant, the palate has flavours of bright red currants and mulberry over subtle spicy cedar and light earthy herb infusions. Finishes dry with very bright acidity and slightly chalky tannins. Aftertaste of crunchy red currants, vanillin cedar, light earth and spicy herbs.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 12%

Other Reviews….
This is a new Mangan vineyard wine, celebrating a red moon eclipse (11FEB17) that occurred around harvest. It is mostly malbec with a large portion of petit verdot and a splash of merlot. A wonderful event to celebrate in a single wine, and great to see Vanya et al at Cullen always pushing ideas and their biodynamic life into new wines.

A light, crisp, energetic red wine of crunchy red berry fruit featuring strawberry, cherry and pomegranate-like flavours. The bouquet is floral too, with big whiffs of pot pourri and faint green herbs lending character. It’s such a vibrant, electric mouthful of wine, skies away from the more elegant, shapely reds that make up the flagships of Cullen. Train tracks of sleek tannin lend some shape. In some respects, it’s a wild-edged wine, free form and eclectic, but can’t escape its pedigree, per se. A nerd in hipster clothing. I like it. Drink 2018-2024.
92 points
Mike Bennie – The Wine Front