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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.7 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 91 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by mxpbuy on 5/11/2024 & rated 92 points: Color is as light yellow as I can recall seeing in a Chard. A nice oyster shell salinity and minerality with some pansy flowers on the nose. Lemon zest, touches of apple, but the wine seemed too young and lacked weight. I suspect this wine has not really hit its stride yet. Will want to revisit in a handful of years. (689 views) | | | Tasted by Isaac D on 5/4/2024: Lemon, Lime. Wonderful Length!!! God this is good! Drink now or over next 15 years. 96 (753 views) | | | Tasted by thesternowl on 4/22/2024 & rated 95 points: Unscrewed and poured; no formal notes. These friggen Chardonnays from Margaret River. I’ve been blinded on them too many times to count and I never call it right. Instead, I always seem to call a high acid grape like Riesling of Sauvignon Blanc. The fruit is sometimes tropical, always with citrus and sometimes is shows green apple and always with awesome minerals. Acid is squarely in the high category. They are lovely wines that just seem to throw me for a loop. If Chablis, the Mosel and Sancerre had a love child. Drink now and through 2036 easy. A fabulous pairing with lamb massaman, larb and papaya salad. How can they hide the 100% new French oak so well?! (757 views) | | | Tasted by tantotinto on 3/26/2024 & rated 94 points: Complex. Citrus, saline and floral-at first. Stone fruit and even a touch of toffee as it warms. Got better with time in glass and as it approached room temperature. First bottle of the 2016 that we have opened. No rush on the rest. (1246 views) | | | Tasted by markcic on 2/29/2024 & rated 93 points: Everyone was working late so we decided to go out for sushi. Opened and poured - white flowers, pear and hints of orchard fruit on the nose. The palate was pear, cactus, hints of citrus and a touch of ginger which came out in the finish. A really nice wine. (1400 views) | | | Tasted by nwebstar on 12/10/2023 & rated 95 points: Walks an engaging line between elegant evolved sophistication and fresh bright acidity. Gentle white/yellow fruits and flowers with just a hint of lemony acidity. Beautifully balanced. (1705 views) | | | Tasted by markcic on 8/27/2023 & rated 93 points: Opened and poured - white flowers, pear and hints of orchard fruit on the nose. The palate was pear, cactus, hints of citrus and a touch of ginger which came out in the finish. A really nice wine. Served with a platter of oysters, clams and shrimp. (2127 views) | | | Tasted by jmoore431 on 8/18/2023 & rated 92 points: Still rather pale, high strung and uptight. Like my neighbor, needs to do some serious relaxing and show it’s true self! I sense that the screw cap seal will assure a LONG, glacial evolution. I need to leave the other two alone for a good five years. (2018 views) | | | Tasted by AndyDobson93 on 7/7/2023 & rated 95 points: Drunk at room temp, electric acid line and tension with full, ripe mouthfeel - terrific wine drinking just fine but no rush to get into it right now. (2132 views) | | | Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 5/7/2023: One of the lean years of Art Series at 13.5 alcohol. So crisp and tight right now, needs some time to fully blossom. (2426 views) | | | Tasted by Johno's Cellar on 4/7/2023 & rated 95 points: Extraordinary wine that’s still tightly wound up and took an hour to open up in the glass. The nose was initially quite closed but opened up to show a range of flavours that included grapefruit, lemon and Tahitian Lime, Nashi pear, wet stone flintiness and an underlying delicate oak background. Once it had opened up it was lively and energetic and enticing. The palate showed a dense range of flavours that ranged from white nectarine, pomelo, lemon and pear with a nougat backbone of oakiness all underpinned with a pure mineral slate acidity that was cleansing and had a very Burgundian feel to it. It still has a very long life ahead with the stelvin seal. We loved it with some salt and pepper squid and Rankin Cod pan fried. (2222 views) | | | Tasted by fizz on 1/16/2023: Seamless integration of stone fruits, apple and a stony character. A touch lean and restrained, but good intensity. No rush on this. (2335 views) | | | Tasted by peter.mancell@mfg.com.au on 1/3/2023 & rated 97 points: Simply sublime!
Last bottle we had, enjoyed with friends, so wish we had more. (2211 views) | | | Tasted by Montesquieu on 10/20/2022 & rated 92 points: Too much lemon for me to love it. A good, but not great, wine for my tastes. Better with some warmth. Some rave as if this is Montrachet quality for a fraction of the price, but I don't perceive that. Plenty of other Chardonnays that I prefer for the money. (2442 views) | | | Tasted by smenzies on 4/24/2022 & rated 97 points: Served slightly chilled. Had with abalone risotto..a perfect match. A world class Chardonnay of the Burgundian style, and IMO in the zone now. (3368 views) | | | Tasted by fizz on 4/6/2022: Peach, lemon, stone fruits. Palate has a spiced honey lift, with clove, and mineral. Good drive and finish. (3100 views) | | | Tasted by pmk on 2/26/2022 & rated 95 points: an extraordinary layer and complex unoaked chardonnay - montrachet like - unique and very special - drinking beautifully - opens after about 30 minutes, best served not too cold. See Vinous reviews (3309 views) | | | Tasted by pmk on 2/18/2022 & rated 95 points: consistent with earlier notes: montrachet like; my next to last bottle (3042 views) | | | Tasted by rossi.wine on 1/20/2022 & rated 93 points: A bit moted on the nose, very mineral, almost saline. Notes of yellow fruit. On the palate energetic and intense, lemony, intense, mineral again. Very long. 92-94 (2687 views) | | | Tasted by skifree on 12/29/2021 & rated 93 points: Gorgeous bottle, though the cellar is quite cold at the moment. Lots of honeyed fruits, like a mix of orchard and tropical fruit. Great balance and mouth feel. (2677 views) | | | Tasted by pmk on 12/27/2021 & rated 93 points: consistent with other tastings (2209 views) | | | Tasted by cubswinws on 10/30/2021 & rated 91 points: Still bright acidity and tropical fruit notes. (2833 views) | | | Tasted by galewskj on 10/2/2021 & rated 90 points: While enjoyable and full of lime, this wine was incredibly acidic. Almost painfully so. I'll wait at least 2 years before I open a bottle. (3053 views) | | | Tasted by I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine on 10/2/2021 & rated 92 points: Robert's Get-Together at Margaux's Table: PnP - This wine was drinking quite young. The nose was surprisingly a little better than the '14 that was also at the tasting. Nose showed similar tropical notes, but also showed a sweetness or honeyed nose that was not present on the '14. However, the palate was much more tight and restrained than the '14. I think this has the potential to be better than the '14, but it will need a few years in the cellar. Still no slouch and it is drinking well, just a little tight and I know it with some time it will improve. If opening now, I would recommend at least an hour decant, otherwise wait 2 -3 years for it to really shine. 92 today, but plenty of potential to score higher. (3430 views) | | | Tasted by rocknroller on 10/2/2021 & rated 92 points: Mixed Wines at Margaux's Table (Margaux's Table, White Bear Lake, MN): Light gold color. Drank a glass over an hour next to the '14. Last had this a couple months ago. Pretty similar to then. This is more coiled and taut in comparison to the '14, yet still it shows the same general character with more acidity, a bit more oak showing and more vigor to the citrus, lemon and sour fruits, and it has good salinity. Good now, but I think this will benefit from a couple years, and it will be even better. 92(+)pts. (2842 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, Western Australia: Old World–Style Reds and Whites (Jul 2021) (7/1/2021)
(Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (10/31/2019)
(Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Margaret River White) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (9/18/2019)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (9/17/2019)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay Margaret River) Subscribe to see review text. | By Gary Walsh
The WINEFRONT (5/21/2019)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Suckling
JamesSuckling.com (5/10/2019)
(Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Margaret River Art Series, White, Australia) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (3/19/2019)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. | By Sarah Ahmed
Decanter, Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay Vertical (11/19/2018)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia, White) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and JancisRobinson.com and Halliday Wine Companion and The WINEFRONT and JamesSuckling.com and Decanter. (manage subscription channels) |
| Leeuwin Estate Producer web site
U.S. Importer (Addt'l Info)
History
Leeuwin Estate, one of the founding wineries of the now famous Margaret River district, consistently produces wines that rank with the world's finest.
In 1972, following an extensive search for the area most suitable to produce the best varietal wines in Australia, legendary American winemaker, Robert Mondavi, identified the future site of the Leeuwin vineyard.
Originally a cattle farm, Leeuwin Estate evolved, under the direction of Denis and Tricia Horgan, with Robert Mondavi acting as consultant and mentor.
A nursery was planted in 1974 and the initial vineyards were deep-ploughed, deep-ripped, emptied of stone, planned, pegged, measured, marked and eventually planted by hand over a five year period from 1975.
Featuring state-of-the art facilities, the winery building was opened in 1978, celebrating with a trial vintage. Leeuwin enjoyed its first commercial vintage in 1979, and was thrust into the international spotlight when Decanter Magazine gave its highest recommendation to the 1980 "Art Series" Chardonnay in an international blind tasting.
Maintaining a team of highly skilled and dedicated winemakers, and now under the direction of two generations of the founding family, Leeuwin now exports to over 30 countries.
Environment
Leeuwin Estate, an iconic producer of premium wines made from grapes grown in the Margaret River region of Western Australia, recognises that its environmental responsibilities are of significant importance to its staff, suppliers, customers and the local community.
As a family business the Estate is committed to managing the environmental effects of its operations through responsible stewardship, with the aim of maintaining a sustainable environment for future generations. To accomplish these goals Leeuwin Estate applies best practice standards for environmental management in all facets of the business.
The Margaret River district features pristine white sandy beaches, spectacular coastline and amazing surf. It is surrounded by majestic karri forests, is nestled within picturesque farmland and enjoys a balmy temperate climate.
Complemented by fine restaurants, art galleries and boutique luxury accommodation, Margaret River has spawned one of the world's most dynamic and innovative wine tourism industries.
Located in the South West of Western Australia, approximately 280 km south of Perth, Leeuwin Estate enjoys a unique environment that is highly complementary to the production of high quality varietal wines.
Less than 6 km from the ocean, Leeuwin Estate is approximately midway between Cape Naturaliste to the north and Cape Leeuwin, Australia’s most southwesterly point.
The area between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin is one of the most ancient parts of the world. It became isolated when the continental crust split leaving a 100 km sedimentary basin between it and the mainland. Today the basin contains some of the world’s largest mineral sand deposits.
This granitic island, where the Leeuwin vineyard is located, has weathered over millions of years and now provides us as vignerons with the ancient free draining gravel soils, which are highly complementary to the culture of the vine, as well as promoting great finesse in the wine.
Leeuwin’s rainfall is dictated by the “Roaring 40’s” which move north in our winter and south in our summer, with the oscillation of the earth. 85% of rainfall is therefore received during the cooler six months.
With oceans on three sides only changing water temperature by two degrees between summer and winter, the district has its own microclimate. Leeuwin’s vineyards are therefore protected from extremes of temperature and are frost-free during the critical spring growing period.
The mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures during the summer season are very similar to those of Bordeaux. The significant difference however is that our season opens slightly earlier and closes slightly later, providing us with greater latitude to ripen our fruit, whilst also accommodating earlier ripening varieties such as Chardonnay.
In all, the weather conditions in an “average” year in Margaret River equate to those that Bordeaux only enjoys occasionally in “great” years.
From Fruit to Wine
Great wines are born in great vineyards, and at Leeuwin the viticulturist and winemaker work hand-in-hand throughout the entire winemaking process, combining their skills to create wines of distinction.
Careful study, and the eventual grafting of some vines has revealed the best varieties for the Leeuwin vineyard to be Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon; Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz make up the diversity of the vineyard, which also incorporates smaller plantings of varieties utilised for blending.
Enjoying such an isolated and pristine natural environment, the emphasis of Leeuwin's viticultural practice is minimal interventionist. Working with the environment and through skilled vineyard management, Leeuwin is able to produce fine fruit in an environmentally friendly manner.
Vineyards are kept balanced with the yearly environmental conditions. With the emphasis on quality rather than quantity, yields at Leeuwin are kept low.
Boasting one of the most modern wineries in the Southern hemisphere, Leeuwin Estate offers its winemakers all the advantages of new age technology.
Winemaking however is an art as well as a science, and it is here where the skills of the winemaker are carefully combined with technology to produce the wines that have been so highly acclaimed.
Broadly following European winemaking techniques, Leeuwin is concentrating on achieving complexity, balance and longevity in its wines through a blend of modern and traditional methods.
Temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, two Bucher Pneumatic presses, and a cellar of imported French oak barrels, are at the disposal of the winemaker to ensure that the fruit is transformed into the intended style of wine.
Leeuwin Estate Wines
Leeuwin Estate releases its wines under four labels, the Art Series, Prelude Vineyards and Siblings. Whilst the wines in each portfolio follow different lives, they all share a place amongst the great wines of Australia, receiving much international acclaim and attention.
The “Art Series” represents Leeuwin’s finest wines from each vintage. The winemakers have always selected the optimum fruit, transforming it into Leeuwin’s highest quality and age-worthy wines. They are identified with paintings commissioned from leading contemporary Australian Artists.
Whilst "Art Series" wines are designed to age and ultimately to be the most opulent, "Prelude Vineyards" wines are made from fruit producing the most readily expressive wines, with the objective that they will drink well soon after release. A Chardonnay and a Cabernet Merlot are released under this label. During the course of assessing fruit from the vineyards, the winemakers have found that certain blocks, and even certain rows in particular blocks, tend to consistently produce fruit best suited to either of the two styles of Cabernet and Chardonnay they make.
The "Siblings" label represents wines intended for fresh early drinking. As a family business, this label celebrates the role the second generation of the Horgan family has played in the ongoing development of Leeuwin Estate.
2016 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series2016 Art Series Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol: 13.5%
Average Brix: 23.0 - 23.5
Oak Maturation: 11 months
Final pH:
Final Acid: 7.80G/L
Harvest Date:
Bottling Date: 22/08/17 - 25/08/17
Release Date: 01/04/2019
Cellaring Potential: 15 - 20 years
TASTING NOTE
The nose is energetic, precise and finite with remarkable clarity and purity. Lime, lemon pith, grapefruit and Nashi pear are the hallmark fruits present. Delicate notes of jasmine, cardamom pod, flint, wet stone, blanched almonds and rice wafer give subtle complexity in the background. The shape and frame of the palate is the highlight; volume, combined with length and a mineral acid line threaded in between. Grapefruit, pear and lemon are set in the foreground amongst nougat, brioche, cinnamon and graphite. Wine with incredible poise and presence, with a long life ahead.
THE YEAR
Winter and spring rainfall throughout 2015 was modest and below average, before a fine Spring, with good conditions for flowering through November. Early summer was generally fine, with a daily sea breeze. January and February temperatures were slightly above average, but with only several non-concurrent hot days. A welcome and significant 90 mm of rain fell in January, setting up unirrigated vineyards for the remainder of the season. March and April temperatures were close to average; reflected in the slowing down of ripening over mid late vintage. 2016 was one of the best all round vintages seen, with Chardonnay and Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon standout varieties. Resulting wines show very good palate density and intense varietal lifts.
VINIFICATION
Cool destemmed fruit with some skin contact. The juice was settled for 3 days, racked and inoculated with yeast. 100% of the juice was barrel fermented in new French oak barriques and the lees stirred regularly. After 11 months in barrels the various components were blended, fined, cold stabilized and bottled.
Intense exuberant but beautifully defined fruit is balanced by savoury oak complexity. The palate is creamy yet a fine bead of acid cuts a swathe across the palate giving life and incredible length. With age the wine becomes a harmonious whole with beautifully defined grapefruit/melon aromas and complex lanolin nuances. The palate is richer and fleshier but remains tightly bound by mineral acidity. Leeuwin Estate seeks to preserve the pristine fruit characters of Chardonnay throughout vinification and maturation. This is achieved through minimal or gravity fed handling, meticulous attention to detail and no malo-lactic fermentation. The wine is 100% barrel-fermented in selected new French oak and matured in the same barrel. Battonage builds texture and flavour complexity.Chardonnay The Chardonnay GrapeAustralia Wine Australia (Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation) | Australian Wines (Wikipedia)Western Australia Wine Regions of Western AustraliaMargaret Riverhttps://margaretriver.wine/ |
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