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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.5 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 95 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by TheBosWineGuy on 4/11/2024 & rated 94 points: Final bottle, still going strong. An exotic experience. There are plenty of new world producers still making Chardonnay in this fuller style - this would outperform most if not all of them. (98 views) | | | Tasted by drjb on 3/7/2024 & rated 93 points: At home. Very similar impression to recent notes, perhaps somewhat more fresh. As always a delicious expression of Chardonnay. (193 views) | | | Tasted by drjb on 2/23/2024 & rated 93 points: At South West Rocks, NSW. A lovely picnic wine this opened with a deep green gold colour and a nose of white and yellow peaches, poached pears, lemon zest, vanilla and honey. The palate has developed a lovely complexity with the complex fruit characters still at the forefront but balanced by touches of caramel, honey and vanilla pod. The texture and mineral grip remain defining features here giving the wine real distinction. (183 views) | | | Tasted by astroman on 7/15/2023 & rated 93 points: PYCM vs Lamy vs Ramonent (Kolabo): Blinded. Probably one of the best art series I have had. Someone actually believe this was a resiling due to the petrol notes, on the palate it was distinctly chardonnay, lemon, lime, high acid, touch of honey. Impressive white. (821 views) | | | Tasted by mphatic on 4/13/2021: Screwcap, 14.5% alc. Bright yellow gold.
Powerful and complex nose of peach, banana, hazelnut, pear, spicy oak, matchstick, and a mandarin top note.
The powerful palate is at once creamy and firm, with strong grapefruit-like acidity, and a long cereal-flavoured finish.
Opinion: Impressive, powerful Chardonnay. Classic Art Series. In a good place now, yet no rush; the wine held up well on Day 4. (1607 views) | | | Tasted by TheBosWineGuy on 2/15/2021 & rated 94 points: There aren’t many places in the world where you find this level of ripeness in the fruit with high levels of acidity. This is apparently the final vintage that sees the wine go through malolactic fermentation. It assaults the senses to be honest and for that reason it needs rich dishes to balance it out otherwise it’s going to be all you taste (and talk about) and that’s for good reason. (2001 views) | | | Tasted by mjf@ulkner on 5/30/2020 & rated 95 points: Light yellow. Mandarin oranges, apricot, sweet cantaloupe notes. It may be the closure (Stelvin), but this hasn't budged a bit- still young crisp, fresh. Easily one of the better Chardonnays in the world year after year. (2215 views) | | | Tasted by Isaac L on 5/17/2019 & rated 92 points: An accomplished wine that, while distinctly non-Burgundian in character, easily sets the standard for Australian chardonnay. In comparison to the 2009 and 2011, this had lots more oak and butter showing and some citrus/grapefruit peel coming through on the nose.
Paired with Hainanese chicken rice which worked a treat and brought some highly perfumed notes to the fore. The palate was rounded and well resolved, albeit not as chirpy as younger vintages which usually give out sweeter citrus and stonefruit. (2731 views) | | | Tasted by drjb on 3/3/2019 & rated 93 points: This was another absolutely consistent bottle of this lovely wine with a lovely defining texture and grip. This is not White Burgundy but rather a chardonnay of distinction from a specific terroir that favours cool orchard fruits, a rich texture defined by grape tannins and a fine line of natural acidity. Always reliable thanks to the sure use of Stelvin closures. (2594 views) | | | Tasted by drjb on 9/8/2018 & rated 93 points: This wine remains a lovely clear pale green gold colour with a nose of poached pear, white nectarine, grapefruit and nougat. The palate is fresh and medium weight with lovely density of fruit and very good drive and grip reflecting the matiere I associate with this low yielding vineyard. Another great bottle ! (2297 views) | | | Tasted by drjb on 7/10/2018 & rated 93 points: This wine remains a lovely clear pale green gold colour with a nose of poached pear, white nectarine, grapefruit and nougat. The palate is fresh and medium weight with lovely density of fruit and very good drive and grip reflecting the matiere I associate with this low yielding vineyard. Leeuwin mastered the Stelvin closure many years ago ! (2101 views) | | | Tasted by chatters on 4/26/2018: Leeuwin Estate Birthday dinner (with ringins) (Bitton Restaurant, Erskinville): Rich, orange mandarin sweet spice. Fruit is more mandarin and a little muted on the palate, spice more to the fore on the palate, toasted nuts. Hmm. (2204 views) | | | Tasted by mclanew on 2/10/2018 & rated 95 points: Absolutely singing at a recent dinnner. Three bottles with consistent notes. Light golden yellow, only showing a little age. Nice subtle nose on entry. White peach, lychee, minerals. Beautifully integrated with terrific balance and weight. Perfect companion with fresh oysters that night. (1577 views) | | | Tasted by mclanew on 8/5/2017 & rated 92 points: These age well but with some bottle variation. This particular bottle was in fairly good shaped but wasn't quite as well integrated and subtle as the last one I had. Pears, pomelo, biscuit and minerals with oak framing. (1964 views) | | | Tasted by sebastienjm on 7/8/2017 & rated 93 points: Un verre au domaine. Complexe et intense, très long en bouche, vraiment bien mais pas certains que ça se bonifie davantage (1867 views) | | | Tasted by KVM on 7/5/2017: screwcap. gunsmoke, a little buttered popcorn and apple. Fresh, punchy fruit in well measured oak. good concentration and very attractive. Just a little bitter on the finish. this could easily go until age 15. (1602 views) | | | Tasted by rjsmall on 7/1/2017: Mid yellow colour. Rich, buttery nose with vanilla and brioche. Spice, nuts and toasted notes along with a bit of vanilla. Very good balance with a touch of acid. Long finish with a bit of richness. Drinking very well but towards the end of the drinking window. Very nice wine. (1510 views) | | | Tasted by fizz on 3/25/2017: 48th TWIGS Dinner (Firoz and Sangeeta's house): Served blind.
Immediate appeal and recognition. Golden hues. Aromas of butter, caramel, nuts, toast. There's power and density in the palate, which comes from a heady mix of mature fruit, saw-dust oak and that alcohol. It doesn't taste hot though. In fact it's well balanced, with a long finish. The acids are incorporated in this sample and the wine is developing well.
It was very representative of the producer.
14.5% alc. Screw cap.
Artwork: Richard Larter, entitled 'Spring Disposition' (1960 views) | | | Tasted by Avid Wino on 12/31/2016 & rated 95 points: Tremendous wine. Tastes so good, feels so good. Similar impression to my note of previous bottle exactly three years ago. Peach, lemon, toasted nuts, grapefruit, cream. High alcohol which hits the head fast and hard but doesn't upset balance in the mouth. So loooong. 4 hours now from opening and showing better than earlier, so well cellared bottles have many years ahead. Still plenty of acidity to keep this balanced and fresh. Stinking hot evening here, not ideal tasting conditions, leaves me wondering how good this bottle could have been on a more moderate day. (1507 views) | | | Tasted by drjb on 12/3/2016 & rated 93 points: At Noosa. Still quite pale green gold. Stelvin closure wins again ! Nose of white nectarine and peach, poached pear and nougat with a clean touch of fresh lemonade. The palate is just a little full and round to be Meursault but the similarity is there. Great length and drive builds a fine finish. An excellent chardonnay and I wish my white burgundy could be so reliable ! (1440 views) | | | Tasted by Goldstone on 11/10/2016 & rated 93 points: Thursday Day Off (Rainbow Restaurant, Sok Kwu Wan, First St,, Lamma Island, Hong Kong): Colour is pale silver-yellow gold. Nose is green and orange melon, white pear, fresh-peeled young hazelnuts... very fresh and young for a 10 year old Chardonnay. Palate is salivating, incredibly elegant with fresh high acidity, white pears, fresh banana and fresh-peeled almonds. Quite heady and very resonant and reverberant on the finish with great length. Extremely elegant. Still has years ahead of it. Has improved considerably since I last opened a bottle 2 years ago. I shall hide my remaining two bottles in the back of the cellar. (1952 views) | | | Tasted by mister ree on 9/3/2016 & rated 92 points: Decanted this one, golden straw colour, still some acidity would have thougt that woukd have rounded by now, woukd be interesting to see this in 3 to 5 years (1666 views) | | | Tasted by milwaukeewino on 7/29/2016: Lots of rich fruit and acidity and very long but also quixotic. Its not harmonious. But just crqcked. We shall see. (1536 views) | | | Tasted by chbeaumont on 3/18/2016 & rated 92 points: Remains pale; subtle tropical notes, overlaid by deft oak; understated, retains a fresh feel; signs of becoming a little threadbare. Drive on a long finish. Drink up. (1910 views) | | | Tasted by the shrub on 3/13/2016 & rated 89 points: Highly enjoyable, but lacking the wow factor I've had on previous occasions (1716 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (11/18/2017)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay Margaret River White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (2/17/2010)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay Margaret River White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Julia Harding, MW
JancisRobinson.com (8/5/2009)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay Margaret River White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, July/August 2009, IWC Issue #145
(Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series Margaret River) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (6/8/2009)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay Margaret River White) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (2/2/2009)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. | By Campbell Mattinson
The WINEFRONT (1/30/2009)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. | By David Vogels, CWP
Sommelier Journal, March 15, 2011
(Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series, Margaret River) The Art Series Chardonnay is aged 11-12 months in French oak and another two years in bottle before being released every year at the concert. This version is brassy gold in color, showing notes of spicy vanilla, lemon-lime, ripe apple, and mango on the nose. The complex, buttery palate with gentle acidity is reminiscent of Meursault; the finish is warm, long, and constantly evolving. Winery Spotlight: Leeuwin Estate |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and Vinous and Halliday Wine Companion and The WINEFRONT and Sommelier Journal. (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.
2006 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art SeriesWinemaker Notes
The colour is brilliant and youthful green straw.
The nose shows the influence of the coolest growing season experienced in Margaret River with the usually dominate ripe stone fruit taking a backseat to the more refined grapefruit, granny smith apples and almonds.
The palate shows incredible restraint with a youthful freshness of grapefruit and citrus characteristics.
The wine is astonishingly focused across the palate with a lingering finish of citrus blossom, the wine evolves with a fine line of acid to help provide the remarkable length of flavour that persists in the mouth minutes after drinking.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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