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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2021 and 2030 (based on 16 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.6 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 25 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Trickyone on 3/6/2024: As I looked back at my note from 3 years ago, I thought more about screwcaps and better wines like this. There was no evolution of this wine. It was still pretty one-dimensional. The fruit was correct but still youthful, but not in the best way. At 10 years--and a legitimate 10 years since the harvest in WA would have been this time of year!--there should be at least some tertiary notes, but there weren't. The wine poured almost purple into the glasses, and that's not necessarily what I want from a high-midrange Bordeaux blend at this stage of its development. Two more bottles in my stash, so I'll give them more time, but I'm beginning to believe that screwcaps shouldn't be used on ageworthy wines. As I've said before, I like a soft pillow when I go to sleep. Why shouldn't a good wine have the same? (417 views) | | | Tasted by ProfByron on 8/25/2023 & rated 91 points: Beautiful aroma. This is just starting to hit its stride. Not marred by excessive tamarillo character like some Marg River (and Leeuwin).
Excellent classy balance. The best Cabernet from WA seem to be around 13.5% but they tend to be beaten for show medals by wines that are 14-14.5%
That said, it’s still raw, with excessive bright acidity (Aussie problem) and new oak. The oak will temper with time.
13.5%, screwcap (743 views) | | | Tasted by DWaterman on 12/25/2022 & rated 92 points: I know understand all the hype with this estate. They truly are producing old world style cabernet with freshness and a perfect 13.5% alcohol.
Decanted and drank over two days. Took over an hour to blow the dust off and settle in for what became a well structured mid weight beauty with notes of herbs, red and black fruits. My wife said smelling it put her right in a vineyard which was a complement considering her palette is fairly limited.
Would have rated it higher but thought it lost some of its luster on night two. (1062 views) | | | Tasted by Shak on 6/6/2022 & rated 91 points: Bold fruit and some interesting earthiness! Very nice. (1634 views) | | | Tasted by Neecies on 10/14/2021: After two duff prior bottles was glad to finally get the real deal: dust and mint adorn black cherry fruit. Some graphite and cigar wrapper are there too, and it's bright. Drinks well immediately though it improves in the glass. (2200 views) | | | Tasted by pjjsmith on 9/12/2021 & rated 92 points: Bold purple colour. Delightful red currant and eucalyptus nose. Ripe berry and some spice on palate that is well balanced and very approachable. Some salty noted. Firm tannins and soft acidity. Excellent wine. (2030 views) | | | Tasted by WK88 on 8/31/2021 & rated 90 points: Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Art Series 2014
Decant from bottle for 60 mins
Nice bright ruby purple color with crystal clearity.
Nose is flora, fruity, with both black and red fruits, black and red berries and cherries, blueberry, herbal, spicy and slightly oaky. Tannins is present and pretty firm, soft acidity. Mid pallet is medium and pretty smooth, but sort of a little salty, feels of sea breeze, echoing similarity notes when I tasted cullen margaret river diana madeline at the winery.....some minerals lingers towards the finished. A pretty balanced wine, elegance, smooth and easy drinking, just lack of certain uniqueness. Believed at her peak, enjoy for next 5-6 years. 90 pts (1857 views) | | | Tasted by wmccone54 on 5/29/2021 & rated 93 points: Only limited experience with Aussie Cabernets, but this is a very notable and respected brand from Margaret River, much like Cabernets from Penley Estate (Coonawarra) and Penfolds (South Australia). Impression is of a world class Cabernet displaying elegance, class, sense of place. Early development reflecting a deep ruby color and a full body. Pronounced aromatics and flavors: sleek graphite, chewy black earth, ripe blackberry and currant, juicy black cherry, sweet black plum, creamy mocha, dark chocolate, mixed herbs, and anise. Lots of depth, and concentration. Tannin and acids still in flux, but definitely in play. Very long persistent finish. Decanted and enjoyed with a grilled, medium rare ribeye. Can drink now with decanting, but this should continue to develop over the next 10-12 years. Highly recommended and equal in quality and enjoyment to similar priced wines from Napa, Chile, and Bordeaux. (1734 views) | | | Tasted by R2-D2 on 4/26/2021 & rated 93 points: Magically elegant stuff here, not at all what people think of for Australian wine. Red currant and eucalyptus for miles and miles in the pronounced nose. Fresh acidity and fine tannins on the palate, long finish. The artist series label gives this wine a sumptuous, luxurious look reminiscent of Mouton, at a fraction of the cost. (1604 views) | | | Tasted by Trickyone on 1/9/2021: Having been a fan of the Art Series Chard. for some time, I finally got my hands on its Cab. Sauv. brother. The wine did not disappoint. Still a baby with purple right up to the rim, but excellent balance and sub-14% alcohol make this a rare Cabernet (for these days, anyway) that can be enjoyed with or without food. I'm far from a screwcap snob, but I have to wonder how this will age under that closure. Fortunately I have a few more bottles and look forward to answering that one myself over time. (1544 views) | | | Tasted by Neecies on 10/16/2020: Major disappointment. Barely medium bodied, lacks substance, American oak shows, light fruit, very savory/herbal. Had to blend it off with another cast-off wine conveniently over-endowed to make something more drinkable than either. (2051 views) | | | Tasted by Psdycp on 10/3/2020 & rated 91 points: Elegant and gentle aroma of blue and black fruit, smoked fennel, some earthiness and savoury leather. The same elegant and approachable traits follow to the palate which has decent concentration, soft acidity and a polished structure. Medium bodied. The transitions are seamless and very smooth. Finish is equally soft, just lacking definition and length. Ready to drink immediately upon opening. Will stay at it’s peak for the next few years. (1905 views) | | | Tasted by sfwinelover1 on 8/19/2020 & rated 90 points: One off purchase ($40) from the big box wine store a few years ago; long story, but I only got the last glass of this, and am not sure how much air it had beforehand. On the nose and palate, fairly muted notes of cassis, plums, tart dark berries oak, forest floor and dried spice. Medium to dark purple, light bodied, light legs. Powerful acidity and tannins, no heat. Moderate complexity, light-ish intensity and persistence. Very similar notes to the 2008 I had a few months ago, despite 6 years less bottle age. Light, subtle, savory, slightly saline, and almost crisp, this isn't necessarily Bordeaux-like, but it's certainly closer to Bordeaux than modern Napa; I'm not sure I'd even identify it as a cab.
I had this with light pre-dinner snacks, which is kind of a shame, since I think that this wine would shine brighter with food. No danger of fading, but based on the 2008, it may not develop much. Interesting to drink since I rarely drink non-CA new world cabs (occasionally Chile or Washington), but on a regular basis, I think CA is more my style, even if not the biggest CA's. CT consensus dead on. 90+ (1992 views) | | | Tasted by jhw425 on 7/27/2020 & rated 90 points: Drank by the pool with a steak. Very fresh and fun to drink outside (1985 views) | | | Tasted by ProfByron on 12/5/2019 & rated 87 points: All very neat and proper. Nothing exaggerated. But a little boring.
Easy to drink ar the moment but I suspect far better with time to gain complexity.
{13.5%, screwcap} (2900 views) | | | Tasted by Kayecheg on 11/13/2019: Very dry and not as complex as I would expect from a wine this old and expensive. (2618 views) | | | Tasted by bestdamncab on 10/8/2019 & rated 90 points: Bubbles and Holiday Wine, nose of earth, dark fruit, leather, and sage, same on the palate, big body, tasty, needs 3 years to peak, and a long, flavorful finish. (2833 views) | | | Tasted by bestdamncab on 10/3/2019 & rated 89 points: Australian Wine Far from Ordinary Trade Tasting, San Francisco, nose of earth, wet forest floor, and black berry, on the palate, medium/big body, lovely fruit, touch simple, long finish. (2336 views) | | | Tasted by RussK on 5/27/2019 & rated 91 points: Russk. Wine Spectator grand tour. Nice acidity. (3429 views) | | | Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 5/9/2019: Darn that is good notes Rebecca. Herbal and aromatic and some tension on the palate. (2213 views) | | | Tasted by 素人俠 on 12/26/2018 & rated 90 points: Average. (2796 views) | | | Tasted by HL Pong on 9/30/2018 & rated 91 points: Decant for 45mins
Appearance : medium ruby, with legs and petillance.
On nose : medium+ intensity, red fruit : cherry, black fruit : black berries, eucalyptus, subtle of vanilla oak, leather, tobacco leaf, a hint of clove and spiciness, very Bordeaux feel.
On palate : dry, very high acidity, medium+ but smooth tannin, red and black fruit forward, medium+ to high alcohol(13.5 %), a bit hallow on med palate with medium+ finishing.
This wine is still a bit robust, still young and not very complex and it seems that the wine is better on nose than on palate. It should be needed more time to evolve and get more complexity. One may find that it is a Bordeaux blend but in new world style. Cheers! (3026 views) | | | Tasted by DanielJH on 8/16/2018: There are hints of VA, red fruits and cedar on the nose. The palate is all about bright redcurrants, vanilla and boysenberry as well as some tobacco and very subtle notes of cigar box. It’s only just medium-bodied. (3172 views) | | | Tasted by RieslingFanatic on 7/22/2018: Didn’t get the breakdown on this wine (if there is one). Dark chocolate, cassis (kirsch), bay leaf. Better balanced at this stage than the 2013, for me, although suspect 2014 will be better with more time. (2195 views) |
| By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (11/22/2022)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, Western Australia: Old World–Style Reds and Whites (Jul 2021) (7/1/2021)
(Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Art Series Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Campbell Mattinson
The WINEFRONT (8/20/2018)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Suckling
JamesSuckling.com (6/7/2018)
(Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River Art Series, Red, Australia) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (12/1/2017)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (11/17/2017)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River Red) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and Vinous and The WINEFRONT and JamesSuckling.com and Halliday Wine Companion. (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.
2014 Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Art SeriesWINEMAKER'S NOTES
Winter rainfall was above average, dams filled, and the Boodjidup Brook flowed strongly. Early spring was windy, rainy and cool, however weather improved in October and November, with bouts of wind and rain between periods of fine and sunny weather. Cabernet Sauvignon capfall was 100% on November 25th. December was generally fine and warm. Veraison was noted in the Chardonnay in the first week of January, and several weeks later in the Cabernet. Cabernet sauvignon harvest began in the last week of March and continued into mid - April, depending on the site. January was warm, with slightly above average daytime temperatures; February in contrast had slightly cooler than average daytime temperatures; then March slightly warmer again but with cooler nights. April developed a distinctly autumnal feel with warm days and cool nights producing physiologically ripe skin and seed tannins in the reds.
The cooling influence of the sea breeze was significant this year , and the southerly breeze from the Southern Ocean was obvious in the early afternoons. Marri trees (Corymbia calophylla) flowered heavily, and bird pressure was low through February and March. A fabulous vintage with excellent weather conditions for developing and maintaining the delicate flavours of the fruit.
After individual berry sorting and cold soaking, fermentation took place in closed, static fermenters at temperatures up to 30C with extraction by pumping over each individual lot three times daily. After malolactic fermentation entirely in barrels and 9 months of barrel maturation, separate parcels are blended for further maturation in French Bordelaise coopered barriques with seasonal rackings.
TASTING NOTES
A highly expressive and fragrant nose with violet, lavender, bay leaf and fennel seed weaving through a dense core of blackcurrant and red cherry. Subtle anise, cumin, cedar, cracked coffee bean and cocoa lie in the background. The palate has purity and elegance; delicate layers of cherries, blackcurrants and Satsuma plums combine with a vibrant thread of natural acidity, giving direction and focus. Cinnamon and clove are present on the mid - palate which extends long with tightly coiled powdery tannins.Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Art SeriesTHE STORY
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon is made up of the Houghton clone and a touch of malbec. Batch vinification is followed by maturation in new (50%) French oak and one-year-old “chateau” barrels for up to 24 months. In classic southern Margaret River style, this wine is typified by blackcurrant, cassis and tobacco leaf aromas, underlying savoury, new oak and muscular, fine tannin structures.
Top Vintages Langton's Classification Outstanding
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 1997, 1995, 1991.Cabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
Used as frequently in blends as in varietal wines, Cabernet Sauvignon has a large number of common blending partners. Apart from the obvious Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the most prevalent of these are Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere (the ingredients of a classic Bordeaux Blend), Shiraz (in Australia's favorite blend) and in Spain and South America, a Cabernet – Tempranillo blend is now commonplace. Even the bold Tannat-based wines of Madiran are now generally softened with Cabernet SauvignonAustralia Wine Australia (Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation) | Australian Wines (Wikipedia)Western Australia Wine Regions of Western AustraliaMargaret Riverhttps://margaretriver.wine/ |
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