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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.6 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 154 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Wrighty on 6/12/2022 & rated 91 points: Light straw colour. Muted nose. Plate has usual lemon and butter notes. Having had a mini vertical recently this is just hitting the sweet spot for this wine, which in my opinion is 20 years. Hold it you only have a bottle or two, or start enjoying if you have more. (1146 views) | | | Tasted by lightning on 3/20/2022 & rated 83 points: Peach and pineapple cake. Viscous texture, low acid, highly toasted American oak notes, and sings this note for a long time. Lacks cut and definition, and is hard work…if this were a red, it would be the flabbiest Barossa or Rutherglen Shiraz you can think of. The rest of the bottle to be used for cooking wine, sadly. 14.5% ABV, would not be surprised if was considerably higher in alcohol.
Professionally stored since release, Stelvin-sealed. (1443 views) | | | Tasted by Peech on 1/22/2022 & rated 93 points: nice and buttery as expected, oaky, very flinty and mineral. Drinking beautifully. (1435 views) | | | Tasted by dada99 on 1/21/2022 & rated 92 points: Drinking well - tastes much better outbid the right glass (1565 views) | | | Tasted by jmastores on 12/25/2021 & rated 94 points: 16 years on this wine has exceptional structure and length - probably right in its drinking window now, will last another couple of years but drink it now ! (1417 views) | | | Tasted by chatters on 2/17/2021: Margaret River Tasting (Bistro Cocotte, Haberfield): Aromas of peach, stone fruit, slight citrus; lime over lemon, toast, a little cedar and oak. Medium intensity acidity, the oak lends toast and sligth grip/structure. Lemon and lime, a little stone fruit, slight alcohol warmth on the finish. Balanced. Polished. Very nice but, for some reason, not quite pressing my buttons tonight. (1695 views) | | | Tasted by mphatic on 1/26/2021: Screwcap, 14.5% alc. Bright gold, still relatively youthful colour.
Outstanding. Let’s get that out of the way. Powerful nose of concentrated pear, grapefruit, cashew, butter, tobacco, warmed spices, and vanilla custard. Intense florals emerge after 2 days open, along with some hazelnut.
Powerful palate. Intensely fruited. Creamy/rounded mouthfeel, yet it possesses great drive through well-balanced acidity.
Opinion. Big chardonnay, perhaps already past its peak. It almost becomes a bit too much after a couple of glasses such is its intensity. Drink over the next couple of years, with some flavoursome food. (1384 views) | | | Tasted by rooman on 12/14/2020: Sadly this wine is now reaching the end of its drinking window. It has been an amazing servant, loyal, hard working, diligent. But now it is slowly starting to fade, the acid is no longer as bright and refreshing as it once was. I’ll quickly finish the last remaining bottles over the rest of summer before the swallows fly south for winter. (1488 views) | | | Tasted by glou.sf on 10/6/2020: Tasted blind. Stone fruit, citrus, and apples on the nose. Silky texture with significant richness on the palate, good acidity and ripe stone fruit flavors. Long finish. The quality of this wine is quite there, but it's not my style and just too ripe/rich for me to really enjoy. Interesting and good nonetheless. (1546 views) | | | Tasted by Frijole on 5/4/2020: medium gold, lots of clarity, silvery hue
Nose: pear, green apple, minerals, white pepper, wax, butter, honey, lemon, hazelnut, oak
Pal: pear, green apple, minerals, white pepper, wax, butter, honey, lemon, hazelnut, green herbs, flint, limestone, oak, complex
Feel: full, buttery, smooth, round, acidic, sharp, metallic
Finish: long
T9C10 (1644 views) | | | Tasted by Astronut on 3/27/2020 & rated 95 points: Excellent. Must be served at about 10C (1226 views) | | | Tasted by chatters on 12/4/2019: First Wednesday Wine Club (Napoli in Bocca, Haberfield): Served blind. Honey, slight toast, butter, lemon even a touch of green apple. Medium plus acidity, slight butter, honey, lemon, fresh and very citrus. totally confused by this one - the butter lemon and toast married to honey combined with the high acid made me think 2000ish good quality Hunter Semillon under screwcap. (1616 views) | | | Tasted by Bjcanderson on 7/20/2019 & rated 95 points: Tasted with Nat and Cam.
Cuquants, citrus
Big nose and you expect and old fashioned Charddy... but not so! Very well balanced and refined. Still very distinct, amazing aromas. Do yourself a favour. Was worth the wait for 10 years in the cellar. (1505 views) | | | Tasted by Barolo Raymond on 3/29/2019 & rated 95 points: Stupendous, absolute floorknocker. Burgundy eat your heart out. Unscrew and pour. Medium(+) golden, with green hue, viscous @14.5% abv. Expansive medium(+) aromas of quince, lemon, mango, pineapple, eucalyptus, beeswax. Dry, medium bright acidity, low tannin, medium plus alcohol, full plus body. Endlessly ranging palate of toasted pineapple, lemon, mango, jackfruit, mineral, honeycomb, pepper, butterscotch, saltine crackers, caramel taffy. Absolutely velvety tactile feel, balanced, firm materlal with backbone, powerful, dense. Very long, minutes, finish blending the flavors, texture and alcohol into an orgasmic finish. (1600 views) | | | Tasted by sfqwino on 6/10/2018 & rated 92 points: Matured and ready. Complex and expansive. Alcohol pokes out a little though. (2429 views) | | | Tasted by kaggibson on 11/18/2017 & rated 88 points: Medium plus on the nose with grapefruit and lychees. Pronounced flavours with additional cloves and hay to the grapefruit. Have to admit a bit disappointed just going a little flat at the end. Might be faulty??? (2089 views) | | | Tasted by CamWheeler on 6/15/2017 & rated 92 points: Farewell for now: Toasty oak, lime, lemon, slate, orange and fennel. There is a hit of richness on the palate, but the wine retains focus and drive. Very good length. Drinks just as well as a bottle had 4 months ago. (3918 views) | | | Tasted by JonnyG on 6/15/2017 & rated 92 points: Quick Notes From a Memorable Night in Sydney (Cirrus, Barangaroo): Such a powerhouse of a bottle, almost too full-throttled for me on this occasion, and I have had this vintage multiple other times. Robust, high-toned lemon, pear and ginger notes, very expansive mouthfeel. A monster of a wine! (3897 views) | | | Tasted by canan on 3/17/2017 & rated 94 points: Misc Tasting - Terkel Style (Birkerød): Smoked pineapple and a lovely creamy texture. Lovely and are also showing some minerals.
Very impressive wine. 94-95p (1649 views) | | | Tasted by CamWheeler on 3/2/2017 & rated 92 points: Chardonnay and Pinot Tasting: Lemon, bath salts, graphite and spice on the nose. The palate is intense but it still has style. The fruit packs a punch, but the acidity lends the wine precision. Lovely now and over the next 4-5 years. (3410 views) | | | Tasted by Ben Stewart on 12/30/2016 & rated 90 points: Excellent quality, flawless in consistency from vintage to vintage. Fruit subdued in finish. (3158 views) | | | Tasted by HughK on 12/27/2016 & rated 96 points: There has been plenty written about this wine so my comments are that it is in pristine condition and while I am sure it will hold longer I can't see how it will get any better than it is now. If its not the best Aussie Chardonnay its certainly close. (2824 views) | | | Tasted by Cellar Bear on 12/13/2016: - Light gold color with a full body. Round texture with a long finish - Drinking well. Still years of development ahead. Australian Chardonnay at its best (1832 views) | | | Tasted by drjb on 9/4/2016 & rated 95 points: Another consistent and lovely bottle opened after pouring a bottle of 2002 CC away because of premix despite the same cold steady maturation from purchase. This has presence and grip with beautiful fruits and savoury characters balanced by real drive and persistence. A consistent and great Chardonnay. (2249 views) | | | Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 8/13/2016: Alright, its been open 13 days. Lets see...
Wow, that is crazy good. Lots of seriously ripe pear, brilliant acidity all together and harmonious. Odd, but really good. (2002 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| 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. | By James Suckling
JamesSuckling.com (11/16/2017)
(Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Margaret River Art Series, Australia) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (11/16/2017)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay Margaret River White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Julia Harding, MW
JancisRobinson.com (1/2/2014)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay Margaret River White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Richard Hemming, MW
JancisRobinson.com (6/25/2012)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay Margaret River White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (10/2/2009)
(Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Margaret River White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Julia Harding, MW
JancisRobinson.com (6/17/2009)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay Margaret River White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, July/August 2008, IWC Issue #139
(Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series Margaret River) Subscribe to see review text. | By Julia Harding, MW
JancisRobinson.com (6/20/2008)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay Margaret River White) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (3/11/2008)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. | By Gary Walsh
The WINEFRONT (2/18/2008)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. |  By Gary Vaynerchuk
Wine Library TV, 3 Killer Whites, Episode #799 (1/12/2010)
(Leeuwin Estate Artist Series Chardonnay) #2; VaynerPAZZZ; COLOR-golden; NOSE-very oaked; big time oak and butter; a little candied green apple; big nose; a very New World chard nose; PALATE-good acid; a hair alcoholic; good creaminess; not a big as I expected; nice wine; I like this; some subtle bark; an almond paste flavor on the mid-palate is exceptional; a little watermelon rind on the back-end; it's delicious; BUT there's many wines for $35 that taste like this; WS-95; GV-90+ 90+ points | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (5/13/2009)
(Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series) Oaky nose; better on palate, ripe and tart lemon; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. 91 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Decanter and JamesSuckling.com and JancisRobinson.com and Vinous and Halliday Wine Companion and The WINEFRONT and Wine Library TV 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.
2005 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series2005 Art Series Chardonnay
The “Art Series” represents Leeuwin’s most opulent & ageworthy wines from each vintage. They are identified with paintings commissioned from leading contemporary Australian artists.
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol: 14.5%
Cellaring Potential: 15 years
Artwork: Virginia Cuppaidge, entitled 'Flutter
Winery tasting note
The colour is brilliant green straw.
The fresh nose is classic Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay, with intensely lifted aromas of ripe yellow pear skins, the petals of citrus blossom, nectarine and ripe peach accompanied by hints of fig and cashews from barrel maturation on yeast lees with integrated charry French oak. These flavours combine into a finely balanced bouquet; the result of very low yielding vines matched with subtle wine making to preserve the richness of the fruit.
The palate displays the mouth filling and intense flavours of fresh ripe pears which is full bodied and incredibly rich intermingling with delicious stone fruit flavours and nectarine. The middle palate shows richness from both the fruit and the lees stirring, with a lingering fresh citrus finish. The new French oak complements the fruit providing a wonderful balance of warm toasty flavours on the finish.
The structure of this wine highlights the power of a typical multi-layered Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay with an underlying elegance.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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