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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.6 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 76 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by pmk on 5/18/2024 & rated 93 points: consistent and a worthy competitor to the best of the world leading montrachets. (512 views) | | | Tasted by liber on 4/12/2024 & rated 92 points: pnp - light and bright, fine typicity, orchard fruit and citrus, nuanced bouquet, med bodied, linear and correct, fine length, bit tight and angular as yet, if it rounds out upside, 10+ years. At least F (17.5). (1342 views) | | | Tasted by ash_then_chase on 3/16/2024 & rated 92 points: Began with pith, clearly lime, potentially grapefruit. Softens a touch soon thereafter, into tropical fruit and shredded coconut. One of the more Sauvignon Blanc-esque chardonnays I’ve ever had the pleasure to taste. (1728 views) | | | Tasted by Vinogan(s) on 3/8/2024 & rated 93 points: Very fine and elegant next to the Lias from Labet, but great stuff nonetheless (although compared to the labet a worse qpr) (1722 views) | | | Tasted by Kris G on 3/4/2024 & rated 92 points: Slightly smoky, a touch of butter, refined impression of Chardonnay, intense acidity (1925 views) | | | Tasted by SMagowan on 1/25/2024 & rated 95 points: Yeah. Awesome. I hope I can be patient with the rest. (2231 views) | | | Tasted by WineDoctors on 1/25/2024 & rated 94 points: Agree with peterk: cannot imagine this getting better: precise, infinity finish, lemon zest with curd. twinkling stars with first dungeness crab of the season and acme sourdough. ridiculous and glad to have enjoyed it now. (1865 views) | | | Tasted by peterk on 1/23/2024: Drinking beautifully right now. I can't imagine this getting better (1927 views) | | | Tasted by pmk on 12/28/2023 & rated 93 points: consistent with other notes - flawless montrachet like chardonnay (1719 views) | | | Tasted by drjb on 12/27/2023 & rated 94 points: Another fine bottle of this line showing the consistency of well made wine under Stelvin. it opened with a pale green gold colour and a delicious nose of white peach and nectarine, Nashi pear, limestone and cashew with touches of honeysuckle flowers and nutmeg spice. The palate is remains quite structured but shows some early development with the fruit characters now more evident and balanced by a nice line of cashew, honeysuckle and oatmeal. There is plenty of matiere and grip here to provide real zest and authority. This is very pure winemaking free of artefact and fashion. (1745 views) | | | Tasted by nsellen on 12/19/2023 & rated 93 points: Little to add to the notes of my fellow commenters. This taken at a meal which started with a 2004 Taittinger CdC, then a 2018 Danbury Ridge Octagon Block chardonnay which both set a high bar. The Leeuwin sailed over it. Focussed, taut, rich without tropicality, long, fresh, complex, unforced, delightful. This is astonishing value for a world class chardonnay. (1793 views) | | | Tasted by pmk on 12/3/2023 & rated 94 points: world class montrachet like wine. complex, layered, seamless, fruit forward, but elegant, with minerality, just a touchn of acidity, and stones in the loooong finish. (1965 views) | | | Tasted by OldHick95 on 7/16/2023 & rated 94 points: Fresh lemony, almost minty nose. Remarkably balanced. Apricot and lemon cream flavors are soon joined with toasted nuts and jasmine tea. The mouthwatering finish lasts more than a full minute. (3128 views) | | | Tasted by El_Dougo on 5/29/2023 & rated 91 points: This was an ideal purchase off the wine list in an upscale sushi restaurant- something befitting the food, not outrageous in price, and a high quality wine that was more than just a low price option (comparatively speaking).
After having recently tasted a number of new world chards from Napa, Sonoma and Tuscany, I was struck by how much less ripe I found this Australian chard, especially coming from such a famously warm climate. I did some research this morning and learned that the Margaret River is indeed a rather cool(er) climate of Australia, maritime in influence with consistent winter rainfall and a low diurnal. I can see how this influence can result in a more restrained, even elegant wine. Still a fair amount of citrus and tree fruit, but more going on than only the fruit. There was also a mineral element to it and a profundity that I don’t often find in the new world.
If I had this at home I would recommend a decant only to see how the evolution proceeds - or drink it more slowly than we did! (2910 views) | | | Tasted by wmccone54 on 4/28/2023 & rated 94 points: IMHO, one of the best, if not THE BEST Southern Hemisphere Chardonnay available in the US retail market. Clear, pale gold color. Fresh, balanced, and concentrated: tangy lemon-lime citrus, crunchy green apple, nutmeg spice, ripe white pear, juicy peach, underscored with “salty and sour” white stone; very judicious use of oak provides balance and complexity; and medium acidity supports a fresh mouthfeel and a very long finish. I think this could go “toe to toe” with any upper echelon New World Chardonnay (or White Burgundy). Developing, can drink now, but I think this will improve over the next 5-8+ years. Excellent QPR even in the $70+ (USD) price range. Enjoyed with baked sea scallops and pesto penne. (2988 views) | | | Tasted by postiglioni on 4/12/2023 & rated 93 points: Pnp. Nose-golden Apple,vanilla, brioche
Palate-tangerine,apricot, and lime
Finish-slightly chalky with mouthwatering acidity (in a good way), long (3233 views) | | | Tasted by maaike2 on 3/19/2023 & rated 91 points: One hour in decanter. Fresh and powerful with fruity notes, good acidity. Young. A kind of "closed". Try again in 3-5 years. (3324 views) | | | Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 2/21/2023: Always fun to just crank through an Arty Chard... and about halfway through realize how pretty darn good it is. (3520 views) | | | Tasted by SMagowan on 1/28/2023 & rated 95 points: Stunning leap since my last bottle in Nov. 22. Steely, complex, mouth-coating, this is an absolute drinking pleasure. Puts to bed the question of whether a screw top wine can elevate to the highest wine level experience. A wine to treasure and share. (2798 views) | | | Tasted by platpeeps on 1/10/2023 & rated 93 points: Yields up an explosion of flavours including green plum, lime, citrus supported with nuts, caramel, nougat and spice. Retaining a steely core, it’s softened by melted butter to reveal some residual sweetness on an extraordinary length of finish. Still some way to go as it’s still fairly young but nonetheless getting into its stride. Probably not worth the asking price but even so, a fantastic wine. CHP 93 pts (2765 views) | | | Tasted by twain on 1/6/2023 & rated 94 points: The mineral, tropical and stone fruits, almond layered together with juicy acidity are just nuts. Long finish. This is also really pleasing to jam your nose into. (2508 views) | | | Tasted by Aravind Asok on 12/24/2022: Finally managed to wait a bit. Notes from 24 hrs open (in the fridge overnight). On the nose: soft reductive notes (still!), citrus, florals, a touch of grilled nuts. Wow, so compelling. On the palate: fantastic acidity, citrus, melon, soft nuts, lovely fruit density and a long finish. Gonna try to keep my hands off this for a while. (2224 views) | | | Tasted by SABinVA on 11/30/2022: Chardonnay with some ambered punch. (2547 views) | | | Tasted by Pinot Peter on 11/7/2022: Floral nose, lt.yellow in colour , great acidity giving this a freshness on the palate .
Citris notes mostly lemon , slight taste of oak on the back of the palate . Good length. A very enjoyable well made Chard but lacks complexity of flavours .
Very linear as you drink the bottle…. no real subtleties.
Saved a half bottle to taste the next day. More interesting and intense citris flavours. Excellent wine! (2658 views) | | | Tasted by SMagowan on 11/1/2022 & rated 93 points: Drank over a couple of days. I need to keep my hands off this. It is great but will be better in a year or two. (2680 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Tina Gellie
Decanter, Margaret River: iconic wines from acclaimed vintages (11/14/2022)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay, Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia, White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (11/14/2022)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay Margaret River White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Clare Tooley MW
Decanter, Judgment of Napa - Chardonnay (10/6/2021)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay, Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia, White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, Western Australia: Old World–Style Reds and Whites (Jul 2021) (7/1/2021)
(Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series White) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (3/10/2021)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (3/9/2021)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay Margaret River) Subscribe to see review text. | By Sarah Ahmed
Decanter, Leeuwin Estate producer profile (2/23/2021)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia, White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Sarah Ahmed
Decanter, Leeuwin Estate producer profile (2/23/2021)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay, Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia, White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Tamlyn Currin
JancisRobinson.com (2/23/2021)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay Margaret River White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Campbell Mattinson
The WINEFRONT (2/10/2021)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Decanter and JancisRobinson.com and Vinous and Halliday Wine Companion and The WINEFRONT. (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.
2018 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series2018 was an excellent vintage.
An immaculate, powerful, intense nose with purity and clarity of primary fruit characterised by pear, white peach, lime curd and custard apple. Infinite layers of brioche, grilled hazelnuts, cinnamon quill, shaved nutmeg, black cardamom and almond meal.
The palate shows penetration and drive with incredible shape and frame. The balance is precise. Pear, cut lime, nectarine and sweet spice with elegant oak sitting neatly with the fruit, underlined by a delicate acid line and exceptional length.
THE YEAR
An excellent vintage across all varietals. Winter of 2017 was typically wet, with Chardonnay being the first variety to burst in late August, followed by the Riesling and Cabernet through September. Flowering in all varieties was approximately ten days earlier than in vintage 2017, and Chardonnay cap fall was mostly complete by November 13. Spring was met by generally mild conditions, with the usual showery and sunny periods resulting in excellent set across most varieties. Summer was warm with very few hot days, and veraison occurred two weeks earlier than in 2017. 2018 was a spectacular year for flowering of the local Marri trees, which kept birds distracted from the ripening vineyards. Harvest commenced in the Riesling in the middle of February, followed by Chardonnay a week later.
TASTING NOTES
Immaculate, powerful, intense nose with purity and clarity of primary fruit characterised by pear, white peach, lime curd and custard apple. There are infinite layers of brioche, grilled hazelnuts, cinnamon quill, shaved nutmeg, black cardamom and almond meal. A thread of graphite in the background adds elegant complexity.
Penetration and drive with incredible shape and frame on the palate. The symmetry of layers, contours and overall balance is precise. Pear, cut lime and nectarine are definite throughout. Sweet spice and elegant oak use sit neatly with the fruit, underlined by a delicate acid line, leading to a palate with effortless length.
VINIFICATION
Cool destemmed fruit with some skin contact. The juice was settled for 3 days, racked and inoculated with yeast. 100% of the juice was barrel fermented in new French oak barriques and the lees stirred regularly. After 11 months in barrels the various components were blended, fined, cold stabilized and bottled.
FININGBentonite,PVPP, milk
FINAL ALCOHOL 14.0%
FINAL ACID 7.53 G/L
BOTTLING DATE 25 August 19 – 21 August 19
AVERAGE BRIX 23.0 – 23.5
FILTRATION 0.45μm
BARREL MATURATION TIME 11 months
FINAL PH 3.23
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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