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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.3 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 131 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by TS on 12/25/2023 & rated 95 points: Sadly my last bottle of six. This was more vital and balanced than ever. Primary aromas/flavours of lemon, green and yellow applw, pineapple, supple oaky notes of vanilla and toast. A will balaced wine, with high alcohol balance by high acidity and a very high fruit concentration. Extraordinary long finish. On par with the best Burgundy Premier Crus and many Grand Crus. (199 views) | | | Tasted by AlanM68 on 12/28/2022 flawed bottle: Sadly this one didn’t make it … heavily oxidised and utterly undrinkable. A real shame - last of the case and most of the others were fine, with a couple of duds. (610 views) | | | Tasted by Necowine on 12/20/2022 & rated 91 points: From glass. Remote but fine seeming nose of oily citrus, higher faint but finally sweet oak; suggesting lean but flavorfully oaked type of higher end chard. Palate then surprisingly broad and large, "citrus confit" notes consistent with nose. Full mouth of fresh acidity. Not the dainty, wispy chard I had expected after nose. Much more of a clean, white-grapefruity or cleanly astringent finish than any kind of oaky or tropical sweet one. Slightly warm, slightly going to head. Really liked this. Breadth of the acid may set it apart in a flight of other chards. (496 views) | | | Tasted by thomaskeil on 1/4/2021: Waited too long. Golden yellow. Some fruit and stone on the nose, but it is dominated by nuts and other oxidation notes. Thick palate, lacking balance. Drinkable, but just barely. (1337 views) | | | Tasted by dnnk88 on 12/5/2020 & rated 93 points: Part 2 @ River Valley!: Brought this bottle tonight after trying the 2001 recently. Yellow fruits, pear, minerals, oak with some oxidation which I enjoyed a lot. Caramel notes but not as forthcoming as the 2001. I prefer this over the 2001. Nice! (1226 views) | | | Tasted by Johno's Cellar on 3/1/2019 & rated 96 points: Riper wine needed time to open up. Developed flavours but old school style (1615 views) | | | Tasted by Paul S on 2/2/2019 & rated 93 points: Lo Hei dinner at Peach Garden (Peach Garden, OCBC Building): A bit more reserved and serious than the 2003 in the same flight, and this was all the better for it. The nose showed a nice whiff of chalky minerality, talcum powder, and than deeper, sweeter aromas of green mangoes and yellow fruit, even a hint of fragrant nutmeg. Pleasant, more complex, if not quite as sunnily inviting as the 2003. This did not have that same remnant of sweet oak though, which was a plus point to it. The palate was more controlled as well, with a nice frame of acidity and a surprising touch of minerality hung around ripe stone fruit and more savoury earth and mineral notes. There was a nice depth and shape to this - very nice. Decent finish too, lingering away in notes of earth and chalk lingering amidst sweet, slightly tropical fruit flavours. Nice, and it will probably hold for a few years more as well. (1695 views) | | | Tasted by Hilzi on 2/2/2019 & rated 97 points: Wow, what a pleasure to drink!!! At its peak. Peach, gooseberry, melon, buttery malolactic aromas, perfectly balanced with still fresh acidity. Very long and intense. What a shame this is the last bottle. I’d drink up in the next 1-2 years. Doesn’t get better. (1239 views) | | | Tasted by steinersing on 12/2/2017 & rated 91 points: pretty good bottle here, with energy and depth. (1689 views) | | | Tasted by milwaukeewino on 7/29/2016: That is really gone. Yep. In cork and gone. (3286 views) | | | Tasted by Ternest83 on 5/1/2016 & rated 92 points: Sweet pear and notes of caramel on the nose. On the palate there were delicious notes of fruit and caramel with well balanced acidity, minerality and creamy long finish. This almost reminds me of a chassange Montrachet and may certainly hold its own beside one if it had just slightly longer stamina in the glass. But overall still drinking beautifully. (3378 views) | | | Tasted by Mrbuzz on 1/4/2016 & rated 96 points: John Elway, Joe Dimaggio, Rocky Marciano, Bill Russell, American Pharaoh……and 2002 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay……..going out a WINNER! Last bottle from a case purchase on release…..best one yet! Why does that happen? Brilliant golden green metallic color….gorgeous nose of lemon butter, grilled pineapple, honeycomb, crushed minerals, yellow florals, exotic spices. Fresh as a daisy in the mouth….with richer buttered pitted/tropical fruits….alive with fresh squeezed citrus, green apple skin tartness.…savory crushed minerals giving it some good funk…as well as a little flint strike smokiness…vanilla bean and exotic spices galore! A rich wine, but has a great balance and vibrancy….I've never had a Coche Dury CC….but I keep thinking this is the down under version! Awesome! (3983 views) | | | Tasted by Thilo on 11/23/2014 flawed bottle: Orange color. Madeirized nose. Oxidized. (5029 views) | | | Tasted by mouton45 on 6/17/2014 & rated 92 points: Served as the third white at last night's wine group dinner at Two Chefs. Delicious! Unanimous hit, though no one deduced it was from Aussieland. Rich, definitely not typical Cali tropical fruits. Great structure and flavor profile. My last bottle of the 2002, alas. I do love Margaret River chards. Time to move on to the next vintage (5126 views) | | | Tasted by thomaskeil on 12/16/2013 & rated 91 points: Light golden color. Tropical fruits, vanilla, floral, lime on nose. Weighty fruit on entry, but lightens up by mid palate with acidity and mineral streak kicking in. Finishes with a creaminess over the mineral. Matched to a rich pan-fried fish with parsnips and red pepper/sumac coulis. (4516 views) | | | Tasted by RGCM Gananda on 11/29/2013 & rated 93 points: Pear and tropical fruits on the nose. A wide variety of tropical fruits including guava at first, then adding in a berry component and finishing with pear, lime and mineral – very good complexity. Incredible richness and depth overall. Oak and acidity have nearly totally integrated with the wine leaving a creamy richness on the finish. This wine is drinking at peak and should be drunk in the next year. (4127 views) | | | Tasted by markellen.foodies@gmail.com on 11/26/2013 & rated 90 points: Past it's prime. (3825 views) | | | Tasted by texaswinelover on 11/24/2013: Score reserved only because I have no experience with Aussie chard this old.
Beautiful golden color.
This wine was beautifully developed. Nutty as described by others. Almost oxidized in character though perfectly stored since release. Acidity remained on finish with fairly bright lemony notes. A pleasure to drink. Glad I held this. (3020 views) | | | Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 7/20/2013: A vast and powerful Art Series. Harmonious, deep, a finish that last minutes. A dream wine. And in prime form. It will go longer but this is the tops. What a pleasure to even having met you, let alone known you. (I would agree with the CT drink dates here). (3363 views) | | | Tasted by NY Wino on 6/29/2013 flawed bottle: So bummed...this was dead (2706 views) | | | Tasted by Jeremy Holmes on 3/12/2013: Just on that cusp of drinking really well and falling into too much nuttiness territory. There are grilled nuts, ripe peaches and tangerines. It is full and rich with some honeyed development. Acidity is beginning to fold into the wine and it has good length. (3464 views) | | | Tasted by Thilo on 2/15/2013 & rated 92 points: Bright yellow/chartreuse color after 10 years! Nose shows lemon oil, oak, and spice. On the palate, the attack begins with lemon but is quickly framed by significant oak. The weight of the wine handles the oak well, but the fruit is starting to fade. A good dose of acidity keeps it all in check. Quite enjoyable. Still my favorite new world chardonnay. (3558 views) | | | Tasted by 1961Vintage on 2/3/2013 & rated 96 points: Still rockin! Classic burgundian nose...Even if you have to stand on your head to drink it. Great mouthfeel and a finish that went way beyond the final Super Bowl gun (3597 views) | | | Tasted by hehimm on 10/21/2012 & rated 96 points: Ditto my notes from 10/24/2010 and tantotinto's notes from 9/19/12. If anything it is even better now. Deep, deep golden yellow. Concentrated aromas of citrus, green apple, grapefruit and much more. Lots of flavor(s) including honey. Very much in harmony/balance with lively acidity. The finish keep going. Years to go. Nice that I have 8 left. (4170 views) | | | Tasted by tantotinto on 9/19/2012 & rated 94 points: Golden yellow color. Great nose of citrus, wet rocks and sea air. Full and creamy texture. Meyer lemon, cream, and pear with a touch of honey and spice in the long finish. Juicy, luscious and concentrated and kept lively by perfectly balancing acidity. This is easily one of the best Chardonnays that I have tasted. (4246 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| 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 (6/28/2011)
(Leeuwin Estate, Artist Series Chardonnay Margaret River White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Gary Walsh
The WINEFRONT (12/16/2006)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (10/6/2005)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. | By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, July/August 2005, IWC Issue #121
(Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series Margaret River) Subscribe to see review text. | By Campbell Mattinson
The WINEFRONT (1/1/2005)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and 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.
2002 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art SeriesA wine of marvelous richness and unexpected subtlety, this has delicious pear, mineral, gooseberry and lime flavors in profusion, beautifully wrapped in a veil of spicy oak, persisting impressively on the long, long finish. The palate has length of flavor with flowing layers of fruit finishing strong and mouth filling. There is classical sweet malt on the finish with a perceptible flavor of subtle French oak lingering on. This is a very harmonious wine with good ageing potential. Drink now through 2020. 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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