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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.4 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 109 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by wernicke on 5/12/2024 & rated 95 points: Piping up here to add my own commentary to that of the previous posters, with whose considered opinions i could not disagree more. Yes this is a zero acid wine. But the combination of the oak and the thick skin tannin, extracted well by the winemakers, gives this a sense of textural pluripotence akin to a Krug. If you are only looking for acid 1) that makes you an unsophisticate 2) you will surely find none here. What this does have is a brilliant searing sense of heft and cut (almost alkaline) from a 20 year old hot climate chardonnay coming into the prime of its drinking window (32 views) | | | Tasted by Derek Darth Taster on 10/21/2023 & rated 93 points: Neighbourhood gang late night at Maison Dakota. Tasted blind. Drank in Gabriel Standart. Later revealed to be under screw-cap.
Appearance is clear, medium intensity, yellow lemon colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of yellow flowers, integrated toast oak, ripe citrus lemon. Developed.
On the palate, dry, medium acidity that gets flabby when warm, medium+ alcohol (14%), medium+ body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of ripe citrus lemon, yellow peaches, integrated toast oak, sweet cream and glycerin, Long finish.
Very good quality. Lovely depth of flavours, notwithstanding the dipping acidity sensation. Time to drink up and enjoy.
Very dry vintage, driest on record, but said to not be hot. (625 views) | | | Tasted by asparagus on 10/21/2023 & rated 89 points: good but a bit meh. the acid was just not as high as i would have preferred. that said, it wasn't flabby even in light of the high alcohol and the oak. (513 views) | | | Tasted by Niall Conlon on 8/27/2023 & rated 89 points: Right at the end of its window (499 views) | | | Tasted by cliftonng on 5/5/2023 & rated 93 points: Under cork. My second and last bottle. I was expecting this to be tiring, but this bottle was superb. A nose of pear and citrus, creamy and buttery with waxy and herbal notes. The palate is rich, yet balanced and fresh, with minerality and racy acidity. This is right in the drinking window. I have found Art Series chardonnay to be underwhelwing in the past, but this has opened my eyes to the potential here. (681 views) | | | Tasted by Wrighty on 2/5/2022: Beautiful golden hue. Buttery nose, hints of waxed lemons and some nuttiness. Pretty complex palate, some ripe yellow kiwi, more butter but all wrapped around a structured core which leads to a good clean finish (1678 views) | | | Tasted by rikipedia on 9/7/2020 & rated 89 points: Terroir-istes International - Australia-Margaret River Chardonnay (Overgaauw Wine Estate): (Tasted Blind): Some development with mint, pineapple, spice and caramel. Still vibrant with a lively acidity, it is holding up, yet the caramel does start to infiltrate the wine, becoming like a humbug candy. However, a perfume scent also permeates it, and the acid structure seems to be holding even if it should have been drunk by now. Definitely offering more than expected. (157 views) | | | Tasted by drjb on 1/11/2020 & rated 92 points: At Gusto Restaurant, Noosaville. This wine was sealed under Stelvin and is a deep green gold colour with a nose of yellow peach, Nashi pear, touches of lemon, pineapple and cashews with some nutmeg oak characters. The palate is unctuous and rich yet quite refined with lots of extract and tannin giving real grip and length. It perhaps lacks the distinction of the best years but equally shows real development that puts aside some of the concerns about long term Stelvin closures. (2869 views) | | | Tasted by jlgnml on 10/7/2019 & rated 94 points: Darker color, great palate feel,and taste, coravined 6 weeks ago so this was the finish of the Btl, got better over time and warming up. Outstanding showing for a wine that can age. (2790 views) | | | Tasted by Paul S on 2/2/2019 & rated 92 points: Lo Hei dinner at Peach Garden (Peach Garden, OCBC Building): First bottle in about 8 years - this has held admirably well. The nose was actually more attractive than to last couple of bottles, with sweet oak starting to recede, and more complex aromas of rich yellow fruit, a touch of florals, and a hint of mushroom and cream on the side. The palate was simpler than the nose promised, but was pleasant in its own way, with nicely fresh acidity framing bright flavours of yellow fruit and sweet lemons edged with sweeter tropical tones. It is a bit tamer and less in-your-face than before, which does the wine plenty of good. There was a little touch of minerality just starting to emerge as well. This has matured nicely. The finish just has a bit of ripe heat on it, but otherwise a nicely accomplished wine. (3312 views) | | | Tasted by Mark Ho on 2/9/2018 & rated 80 points: Past it’s prime. More like a non sweet port. Very yellow appearance. (3826 views) | | | Tasted by Nicthebuilder on 11/25/2017 & rated 95 points: nose of pears, white peach, baked lemon tart and lemon thyme.
the palate is mouth filling and luscious, perfectly ripe stone fruits, pineapple, lemon curd, coconut, cashews and generously buttered honey toast.
The finish is long and complex.
Just a wonderful wine all round with plenty of life left in it. (3409 views) | | | Tasted by stayhappy21 on 4/28/2017 & rated 94 points: Drank this at Extra Space, Boon Keng last night with a group of wine mates. Theme of the night: Aussie 2003.
Bright straw yellow in colour with a fresh nose of apples, pears, peaches and nuts. The intensity of the wine is matched by the flavours and the acidity, giving it a wonderful balance and finish.
This is a very good Chardonnay. One of the best labels from Australia. The fruits are balanced by the minerality, and it gradually evolved to produce more secondary notes comprising of pears and nuts. Wonderful! (3685 views) | | | Tasted by milwaukeewino on 7/29/2016: Carmel on the nose. I think its gone. Palate isn't bad but it is all Carmel. (4220 views) | | | Tasted by milwaukeewino on 7/8/2016: Man is this rather amazing. (4053 views) | | | Tasted by wineguru57@yahoo.com.au on 6/2/2016 & rated 93 points: another fine example of the longevity of Leeuwin Chardonnay. too ripe to be burgundian, but exemplary fruit/oak and structure, delicious, and wont fall over for a few years. (3283 views) | | | Tasted by Nicholas81 on 3/4/2016 & rated 94 points: Superb nose of minerals, stone fruit and butter. When blinded, most thought it was a Corton Charlemagne. The palate was slight flint with very intense and rich white stone fruits, florals and vanilla. The finish was pretty long and uniform with the rest of the wine. Fantastic at what some age can do to one of the best whites of Australia. (3628 views) | | | Tasted by cliftonng on 1/17/2016 & rated 90 points: Complex nose with stone fruit still present. It is well balanced on the palate, with richness, buttery oak and a long finish. (2546 views) | | | Tasted by V64 on 9/16/2015: Ladies Night - One was better than the other. The more oxidised showed on the nose and lacked the fruit intensity, smoothness of the other. Nose was complex , with secondary characters dominating, slightly raceno. Palate was long and was a great food wine on the night. (2683 views) | | | Tasted by Collector1855 on 3/28/2015 & rated 94 points: During a wine diner. Medium yellow. The nose of this was extremely citrusy at first, almost too much. It mellowed then with a bit of air. More aromas of minerals and white fruit came, lemongrass, little oak. On the palate this was very fresh with rich fruit. Nothing heavy here. Chablis style. Great aromatic persistency. Also impressive for its age. (3319 views) | | | Tasted by hargy on 2/26/2015 & rated 89 points: Certainly one of the best Australian chardonnays made with a gentle touch. It seems the fruit is starting to fade on the evidence of this bottle so drink soon. (2842 views) | | | Tasted by mjf@ulkner on 1/14/2015 & rated 90 points: This still possesses rich, opulent fruit. A nice light touch of oak on finish. Elegant and satisfying. At peak (2710 views) | | | Tasted by bibhau on 12/29/2014 & rated 93 points: This wine has a wonderful slightly dark golden color, buttery taste, soft tannins, we loved it. Getting near its end would suggest to drink now. I have 2 bottles left from the original case and will consume shortly. (2781 views) | | | Tasted by Thilo on 11/23/2014 & rated 92 points: Color medium gold. Nose shows lemon oil, vanilla, and spice. On the palate, mature citrus and subtle spices framed by still prevalent oak. Finish is long and satisfying. A big chardonnay done very well. (2486 views) | | | Tasted by hkm520240 on 7/26/2014 & rated 94 points: Light golden yellow, fresh and subtle bouquet of pear, peach, almond, yellow fruits, touch of vanilla with slight creamy character.
It has mellowed down on palate, showing beautiful balance and harmony. Lemon curd, ripe pear, melon, slight nutty with toasty oak has fully integrated. Good palate weight and intensity with crisp acidity backbone and seamless mid-palate, it has shed some fats and shine with elegant mouthfeel. Lingering aftertaste, long and satisfying. Such an age-worthy Chardonnay, lovely. I found myself enjoy a lot more on the aged Art Series Chardonnay than when it is young. (2603 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (10/16/2007)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay Margaret River White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, July/August 2006, IWC Issue #127
(Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series Margaret River) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (2/3/2006)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (1/25/2014)
(Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series) Light medium yellow color; appealing, lemon curd, light lemon oil, almond, ripe pear, apricot nose; rich, creamy textured, lemon curd, lemon custard, mineral palate with medium acidity; long finish 94 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and Vinous and Halliday Wine Companion and RJonWine.com. (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.
2003 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art SeriesThe colour is bright straw with lime green hues.
The fresh nose is typical Leeuwin, with lifted aromas of dried pear and ripe peach accompanied by hints of cashews and integrated French oak. These flavours combine into a finely balanced bouquet; the result of very low yielding vines matched with subtle winemaking to preserve the richness of the fruit.
The palate displays the mouth filling and intense flavours of dried pears with the middle palate showing richness from both the fruit and the lees stirring. The length, always a feature of Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay, is long and full flavoured with a lingering fresh citrus finish.
The new French oak complements the fruit providing a wonderful balance of warm toasty flavours on the finish.
aged in 100% new French oak for 18 monthsChardonnay 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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