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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.1 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 58 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Collector1855 on 9/11/2022 & rated 95 points: 200 Burgundy Grand Crus from vintage 2000, 4-day blind tasting (Singapore): Generous ripeness also here with matching acidity, very good, not my style of Chard either but but very convincing if you like it a bit riper. (2264 views) | | | Tasted by shklotz on 1/6/2022 & rated 94 points: Stunning wine. Rich buttery ripe peach. Beautifully balanced and still lots of life left in it. Loved it. (921 views) | | | Tasted by JHSP on 4/2/2020 & rated 92 points: Big and buttery but still enough tension - not much finesse as a big french burg but overall a very nice wine. Needs to be drunk now (1545 views) | | | Tasted by Jim Yencken on 1/25/2020 & rated 94 points: Just one of my absolute faves. Golden colour, strong aged oakey chardy. Poured in small glasses to enjoy quickly before it turned. (1577 views) | | | Tasted by Jim Yencken on 12/26/2019: Exceptional wine after 20 years in the cellar. Citrus overtones with a beautiful balance. The color of the wine was that of a 5 year old wine. Rich bouquet with hints of honeysuckle (1598 views) | | | Tasted by Johno's Cellar on 4/19/2019 & rated 92 points: opened up about 2hrs after pulling the cork. further developed over the next 2 hrs before all drunk
looked a little to golden yellow but fruit structure was still there. the fruit flavours showed how Australian chardonnay has developed over the years . not much of a nose but the palate showed mango and yellow peaches flavours. an enjoyable old wine that is fascinating to drink. how many Australian chardys can for 18 yrs (1512 views) | | | Tasted by jlgnml on 9/3/2018 & rated 94 points: Darker color, good palate feel, lovely finish, needed time to develop as the wine opened more over the two me we drank it. (1656 views) | | | Tasted by CamWheeler on 5/17/2018 & rated 88 points: GMs - Aussie Classics: Soap, vanilla, grapefruit and slate. More tropical and rich on the palate, but it feels a bit disjointed and awkward. Thought it might just be too cold but I didn't find that it improved as it warmed up. Still drinkable but not providing the spark that one might hope for. (1848 views) | | | Tasted by CamWheeler on 5/17/2018 flawed bottle: GMs - Aussie Classics: Oxidised. (1797 views) | | | Tasted by Jim Yencken on 3/30/2018 flawed bottle: Unfortunately tastes like it went bad a few years ago, very flat and acidic. Port smells and flavours. (1434 views) | | | Tasted by Jim Yencken on 1/1/2018 & rated 88 points: Gold and green in colour, with a very bright and tart aroma. Sharp citrus notes on the tip of the tongue, tastes of honeycomb and honeydew melon, very buttery. A little oak, not overpowering. Wonderful long smooth finish on the top palate. In excellent condition and extremely drinkable, very well preserved. Bodes well for the remaining bottles in the collection. (1284 views) | | | Tasted by JerM on 12/29/2017 & rated 94 points: New Year with Old Sydney Gang; 12/29/2017-1/1/2018 (Red Star and Changi): Honey amber in glass, white florals, citrus, hessian, honeysuckle and beeswax. Juicy acidity, oily, layered, well-aged, still balanced, and complex. Still fresh. Perfect with canto roast pork belly! (1373 views) | | | Tasted by Jim Yencken on 12/27/2017 & rated 89 points: Beautifully preserved with a perfect cork; was absolutely stunning. Another bottle from the same dozen was spoiled when opened a few nights earlier, so was very exciting to discover this. Light golden colour, very clear, strong citrus notes, tart on the palate. Lemon lime flavours, honey notes, tiny bit of vanilla on the nose. (980 views) | | | Tasted by Burgnick on 8/2/2017 & rated 91 points: Buttery nose with beewax, ripe tropical fruit, honey and minerals. Palate is slightly ripe yet it retains high acidity. For a magaret river chardonnay, it is very balanced. I think the wine can age longer but there is limited upside from here. (1488 views) | | | Tasted by Ary on 9/2/2016 & rated 93 points: Yellow-gold colour. Tropical fruits, honeycomb, (honey-roasted) almonds and some lime zest in a well balanced nose. Indeed also some smokiness as Vintomas states. On the broad and well concentrated palate yellow fruits and remarkable acidity. The oak is well integrated on the palate, this is a beautifully made Margaret Chardonnay. Nice finish. (2005 views) | | | Tasted by Giggs on 4/9/2014 & rated 93 points: Excellent. Waxy, cream cheese icing, creamy nose. Since 2010, the buttery aspects have evolved into creamy, almost oily texture. The citrus component has lost its lime edge and is now more lemon-orange. Drink now-2017. (3950 views) | | | Tasted by Wrighty on 9/7/2013 & rated 92 points: Showing some complexity and good minerality. Held up well and still has years ahead of it - shame it's the last one! (4241 views) | | | Tasted by Vintomas on 5/23/2013 & rated 93 points: Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay (AuZone, Stockholm): Bright yellow. The nose is slightly smoky, shows ripe yellow fruit, some citrus, honey, spice, some flower, some nuts, with development in evidence. The palate has powerful citrus notes, some honey, mineral and mint, good acidity, and a long minerally aftertaste.
Good development, but also has freshness. (5000 views) | | | Tasted by Paul S on 3/1/2013 & rated 91 points: Dinner at Michelle and Boren's (Sydney, Australia): Coming to the end of its drinking window, but this was a good wine that was very much enjoyed by all. It had a ripe nose that could not be anything but a new world Chardonnay, with rich yellow stone fruit aromas shaded by tropical tones and developed scents of honey, caramel and spice. A hint of buttery oak and oatmeal more or less confirmed that it was new world for me. A decent nose though. The palate was pretty large scaled, but also very well-controlled, with quite a good amount of orangey citrus acidity laced through its ripe stone fruit flavours, with nectarines at the fore, and then pineapple tones at the midpalate before another toasty, oatmeal twist and a nice dose of spiciness at the end. This was quite nice indeed, but about time to drink up I think, as the wine seem to be coming apart and losing its shape slightly at the edges. (5651 views) | | | Tasted by Dubie on 1/16/2013 & rated 90 points: An enjoyable wine, but did not have the power on the night to compete with its American cousins. Also, on its decline. In summary an elegant wine that should be drunk soon. (3772 views) | | | Tasted by JerM on 1/14/2013 & rated 95 points: (NewYear Brunner w Mandy, Grace, Justina, Adel & Geoff @Mich&Bo's) Glowing golden in glass. Rich, oily nose of melons, oystershell, savory distant rockpool, pine resin and general chard funk. The taste followed tightly on with a complex structure of concentrated honey, white florals, oily butter, fresh sandalwood and cedar shavings, saffron and cardammon, along with hints of banana. Full, great concentration, with well integrated layers of stuff going on, held tall with light youthful acidity and oily viscosity, showing shale minerality and light hay and dried summer flowers on the finish. Liquid gold, well aged. Textural, this was toe-curlingly perfect with Bo's incredible crackling pork belly and the super creamy salmon sashimi. Incredible stuff - easily stands shoulder to shoulder with white burgs in weight and complexity, balance and finesse. Refreshing and exciting! (2687 views) | | | Tasted by 52winelover on 12/13/2012: Had 6 bottles, number 3 was spoiled too bad. (2013 views) | | | Tasted by don_quichotte on 2/2/2012 & rated 91 points: Pretty prevalent notes of oak upfront but that dissipated after a few minutes in the glass. Some honey, slight butterscotch and pretty vibrant fruit. Could have used a tad more acidity but overall great balance. Probably the best Oz chard I've had so far: could stand up to a decent burg 1er cru! (2609 views) | | | Tasted by presterjohn on 2/1/2012: Asparagus pee, great acidity and a rich unctuous base - guessed bordeaux blanc 2000! opens to more recognisable chardonnay butteriness; citrus, tropical fruits; unusual character and verve. very good. could last a long time (2356 views) | | | Tasted by AlanM68 on 4/4/2011 & rated 93 points: When I first tasted this perhaps 5 years ago, aromas of pineapple, banana and other tropical fruits burst out of the bottle - and continued on in the glass both on the nose and on the mouth. At 11 years old, it's still showing very well although without the vibrancy that it had then. But it still sparkles, showing very well against a bottle of 1er cru burgundy of the same age tasted alongside it. I have 5 bottles left and won't be in a rush to drink them - i think 2-3 more years easily. (2897 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Gary Walsh
The WINEFRONT (3/8/2006)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. | By Campbell Mattinson
The WINEFRONT (1/1/2005)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (10/12/2003)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jeremy Oliver
Vinous, July/August 2003, IWC Issue #109
(Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series Margaret River) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of The WINEFRONT and Halliday Wine Companion and Vinous. (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.
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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