2002 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series |
| Vintage | 2002 |  | |
| Type | White | ||
| Producer | Leeuwin Estate (web) | ||
| Variety | Chardonnay | ||
| Designation | Art Series | ||
| Vineyard | n/a | ||
| Country | Australia | ||
| Region | Western Australia | ||
| SubRegion | South West Australia | ||
| Appellation | Margaret River | ||
| UPC Code(s) | 7677490063926 |
| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2006 and 2015 (based on 31 user opinions) | |
| Wine Market Journal quarterly auction price: See Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series on the Wine Market Journal. |
| Community Tasting History |
Community Tasting Notes (average and median of 93 pts. in 131 notes) | |
| 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. (205 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. (616 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. (502 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. (1343 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! (1232 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 (1618 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. (1698 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. (1242 views) | |
| Tasted by steinersing on 12/2/2017 & rated 91 points: pretty good bottle here, with energy and depth. (1692 views) | |
| Tasted by milwaukeewino on 7/29/2016: That is really gone. Yep. In cork and gone. (3289 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. (3382 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! (3986 views) | |
| Tasted by Thilo on 11/23/2014 flawed bottle: Orange color. Madeirized nose. Oxidized. (5032 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 (5130 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. (4519 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. (4130 views) | |
| Tasted by markellen.foodies@gmail.com on 11/26/2013 & rated 90 points: Past it's prime. (3828 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. (3023 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). (3366 views) | |
| Tasted by NY Wino on 6/29/2013 flawed bottle: So bummed...this was dead (2709 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. (3467 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. (3561 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 (3600 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. (4173 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. (4251 views) | |
| Tasted by markellen.foodies@gmail.com on 9/2/2012 & rated 93 points: Still hitting on all cylinders. The acidity keeps it going endlessly! (3448 views) | |
| Tasted by Happy Sommelier on 8/10/2012 & rated 95 points: Another consistent super high quality Chardonnay from Leeuwin Estate. The 2002 is amazing new world Chardonnay that exhibits a perfect balance of fruit, acidity and oak. This full bodied Chardonnay is a bit different from previous vintages but is equally amazing in quality. Rather than the standard lemon pineapple "tropical" flavours of previous vintages I find pear and apple showing more prominently. The wine is without any fault and can only be described as the perfect new world Chardonnay. In the mouth we can also experience tertiary qualities of honey and a bouquet of flowers. Superb balance and a very long finish of citrus fruit with a smoky like characteristic. (1774 views) | |
| Tasted by Gavin Sutherland on 8/2/2012 & rated 90 points: "Very food chardonnay but prob a bit over priced. Rich, caramel, toffee with citrus and tropical fruits" (331 views) | |
| Tasted by AlanM68 on 7/17/2012 & rated 90 points: Agree with MrBuzz below. A case of this leads to some duds. This was one of them. Lacked the exotic tropical fruit that I am used to, even at this age (the 2001 is still going strong) but it's still good and compared well against an 02 leflaive clavoillon. Each to their own of course. (3482 views) | |
| Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 6/22/2012: This was sensational. Less of the very exuberant aromatics of a young Art Series, meaning less lemon and tropical fruit, more pear and cream. And then on the palate -- sizzle. The cream and this intense minerality sparked of by juicy, tangy acidity. The finish was incredible. Really hit its stride about four hours after being open. While I love it right now, and think it must be at its peak, it seems like it could keep going further. I believe I have two more bottles, we shall see. (3647 views) | |
| Tasted by CamWheeler on 6/18/2012 & rated 92 points: Toasty oak with honey and spice on the nose. Rich and creamy palate. Very good acid to cut through the richness. Drinking nicely now but will get better. (2001 views) | |
| Tasted by Primordialsoup on 4/14/2012 & rated 94 points: Faint citrus and lime scents, leading to honeysuckle, pear, and tropical palate with continuing to develop dry nut-ish finish. It's all there and intact. Superb. (3150 views) | |
| Tasted by hpchew7 on 4/5/2012 & rated 95 points: Beautiful. Still fresh after 10 years. Plenty of life left in it. (3194 views) | |
| Tasted by Mrbuzz on 1/31/2012 & rated 95 points: Almost done with a case purchased around release...some duds..but for the most part, killer bottles! This one is another killer bottle! Brilliant yellow, green metallic color...wonderful nose of lemons, stones, buttered honeycomb, grilled pineapple with caramel. Fresh and crisp as can be in the mouth....loaded with tropical fruits, as well as citrusy lemon, and sweet grapefruit. Lots of crushed minerals...salted caramel, exotic wood...but very bright and alive. Still some bitters on the finish...but all in all, drinking absolutely wonderful right now! A Coche-Dury down under! (3452 views) | |
| Tasted by markellen.foodies@gmail.com on 11/26/2011 & rated 94 points: My last 02. Great as always. On to the 04's. (3760 views) | |
| Tasted by Tim Heaton on 8/12/2011 flawed bottle: Not going to rate as this was suffering from some premature oxidation. Some lovely aromas were to be found, but they were short lived. The fruit struggled to express itself. Very unfortunate, but it happens. This was purchased on release, stored well and the cork was in excellent condition. I'll check on my '04s before year's end to see how they're coming along. The standout feature here was the color, deep gold, but not much else. (4881 views) | |
| Tasted by markellen.foodies@gmail.com on 8/6/2011 & rated 94 points: Great again. A cut above the 03 Peter Michael Belle Cote. (4725 views) | |
| Tasted by Tim Heaton on 7/28/2011: PnP at Yanni's in Poway, CA. It's been sometime since I've tried this wine, having forgotten just how ripe and rich (yet balanced, if such a thing is possible) it is. Plenty of ripe, honey-draped orchard fruits, with creamy malo and stone fruit notes rounding out the profile. On the palate, it comes across Kistler-esque - in your face, with no mistaking the intention. Still, the purity of fruit can not be ignored, nor can the streak of natural acidity that deftly ties everything together. It's been 5 days and I swear I still have the quince notes in the back of my mind. Drink thru 2016, 14,5% abv. (4774 views) | |
| Tasted by gportilla on 7/7/2011 & rated 95 points: This bottle really sang for us. We compared to a 2001 and this had much more fruit and weight on the nose and palate. Great length. Superb wine. Only two more left. Too sad. Would be great to compare to a big white burgundy in a blind tasting. (4752 views) | |
| Tasted by gportilla on 7/7/2011: Opened and tossed. Oxidized. (4677 views) | |
| Tasted by Nunwei on 7/1/2011 & rated 93 points: Complex wine w Lots of oak; mixed citrus - lemon, orange, Buddah's Hand: some sandalwood and spices. Much less pineapple vs 5 yrs ago in this wine. Great chard! (4565 views) | |
| Tasted by markellen.foodies@gmail.com on 6/9/2011 & rated 93 points: Brown Bag Wine Dinner at Two Chefs (Two Chefs): Mark F's wine. (5356 views) | |
| Tasted by PSUSteve on 5/17/2011 & rated 91 points: Pop and pour. This wine was very smooth with a wonderful mix of lemon and pear (4797 views) | |
| Tasted by markellen.foodies@gmail.com on 5/6/2011 & rated 94 points: Continues to improve with age. Tantalizing acidity that keeps the pineapple notes vibrant.Getting down to my last few bottles of the 02, will have to find a more current vintage soon. (4769 views) | |
| Tasted by Sleepy Dave on 4/1/2011: 2011 Simple Series V: Benchmark Aussies 10-Years and Older (The Moomba @ Circular Road): Alcohol 14.5% Heavier dose of oak influenced yellow fruits with vanilla, lemon and fresh mineral. Sweet entry with pretty balance of oak, acid and ripe yellow fruits that accompany by the lemon custard, fresh herb with good cut and precision to it with creamy mouth feel that linger with mineral long finish. Quite elegance. My WOTN. Buy - Maybe. (5714 views) | |
| Tasted by Dbrane on 4/1/2011 & rated 85 points: Night of Benchmark Aussies (Moomba Restaurant): Very young. Sweet, creamy on the palate. A little metallic at the end. Medium-bodied. Displays good clarity. Drinking well now. (5713 views) | |
| Tasted by Paul S on 4/1/2011 & rated 93 points: 2011 Simple Series V: Benchmark Aussies 10-Years and Older (The Moomba, Circular Road): This was really, really good. Lovely nose showed maturing scents of earth, mushroom, yeast and sous bois, almost a bit funky here, alongside some toast and a nice layer of ripe white fruit. A whole lot deeper and more complex of a bouquet than the Bannockburn Chard we started the dinner out with. The palate here was mouthfilling, with a creamy layer of white fruit and butter, plenty of sweet lemons and some yellow-fleshed stone fruit fanning out from the attack, through a fleshy mid-palate and then into long, clingy finish with a nice juiciness. Lots of substance here, clearly new world in its sunny ripeness, but everything is nicely balanced and integrated. Delicious stuff, and drinking very nicely. I thought this was just that tad better put together than the 2003 Art Series on the same flight. (5640 views) | |
| Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 1/30/2011: This time corked. Tried the Siran wrap trick and it did take out the cork but also strip quite a bit else. Too bad. Glad they have converted all to screw cap. (5019 views) | |
| Tasted by cadamson on 12/26/2010 & rated 90 points: Much better than the last bottle of a few months back. Lots of lemony citrus, along with pear and buttery popcorn type flavors (though not overdone). Less flabby than last time. Indeed, enjoyable. Deep golden color with a taste to match. Not sure what to think since this and the last bottle were both bought on release and stored together perfectly. This one has years to go and has a real positive snap to it. (4978 views) | |
| Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 12/22/2010: Screaming out of the gates. Save yer Art Series until year 8! (5061 views) | |
| Tasted by 1961Vintage on 12/18/2010 & rated 94 points: One of the best Chards ever. Just splendid all around (4984 views) | |
| Tasted by pkclarke on 11/21/2010 & rated 91 points: Delicious and very long. Still plenty of acidity has a few good years ahead. (5012 views) | |
| Tasted by hehimm on 10/24/2010 & rated 96 points: Simply superb, as with most Art Series Chardonnay. Loads of aromas citrus, pear, grapefruit. Dittos the flavors. Medium weight, creamy. Almost honey. Still loads of acidity. Very well balanced. Years to go. (5446 views) | |
| Tasted by cadamson on 10/17/2010 & rated 87 points: Sort of disappointing. The wine is holding together well, but it just seems a little flabby. Decent, but tame fruit. Nose is lemon meringue pie. Oak is well integrated. I think it is in an ackward stage, and am hoping for some improvement with the next bottle in a year or two. (5028 views) | |
| Tasted by beezer6 on 9/1/2010 & rated 95 points: Popped and poured. Gorgeous deep dark golden apple color. Awesomely individualistic nose of funk, dark yellow apples, dark white peach, striking minerality and superb depth aromatically - really brings you into the wine with each sniff. Giving it a whirl I taste more earthy funk - some really appealing Old World qualities mixed with the ripe fruit of a New World Chardonnay - but without all the oak. The wine finished very clean and pure with a nice midpalate and flawless transition to a mineral and funk driven back end. Medium full bodied with over seeming fat or over the top. Spot on balance and precision as a whole. Jill said it was the best Chardonnay she'd ever tasted, and I agreed - it was utterly profound. Unlike any other bottling I've tasted. It aged with perfection and absolutely benefited from having eight years under its belt. Delish. (5117 views) | |
| Tasted by redknife on 8/22/2010 & rated 90 points: From memory, no TN. This did not show as well as my first bottle. Brought it to a tasting 80 miles from home. Wonder if the drive hadanything to do with it. Nose was nice honey and butterscotch; palate was nice too but a bit "thinner" than my first bottle. (4807 views) | |
| Tasted by winesteward on 7/2/2010 & rated 90 points: Medium gold. Looks and smells like a dessert wine. Sweet, honeyed nose. Candied fruits. A little nutty due to some oxidation. Gentle smoky oak. Good balance. Medium to rich mouthfeel. Peak now so drink it up. Excellent. (4764 views) | |
| Tasted by kcsteve on 6/16/2010 & rated 95 points: Beautiful dark straw in color. Tart pears, pineapple and lime with an interesting minerality. Touch of oak but barely perceptible. Great complexity. Acidity kicks! Every drink cries out for the next. Will last for many more years. (5060 views) | |
| Tasted by NY Wino on 6/6/2010 & rated 96 points: Tied for WOTN at my 2002 chardonnay tasting (other candidate was the Kistler Cuvee Cathleen). Terrific fruit, excellent acidity and long finish. Drinking beautifully right now but bet it will continue to age gracefully. (4901 views) | |
| Tasted by Beavis77 on 6/5/2010: Dujac City - Burgundy Fest (Waterford Wine Co. Tasting Room): An inviting nose that is soft, big and creamy. Tropical fruit and pineapple notes. Beautiful nose. Tangy acid and creamy fruit. Oak is present, but so integral and balanced. A long, long finish. A delicious wine. (5035 views) | |
| Tasted by spaniel on 6/5/2010 & rated 96 points: Sensational chardy. Rich powerful nose of nectarine, cashew, banana and pineapple. Exquisite balance. (4721 views) | |
| Tasted by Mrbuzz on 4/30/2010 & rated 94 points: Bright golden yellow in color. YES....a good bottle, not like the last of this, and a 2001. I've had my doubts on how these Leeuwin's were heading....but this bottle brings me back to why I adore these wines! Very bright, tropical fruit, fresh as ever.....loaded with crushed minerals(ala Burgundy), exotic wood spice, honey butter, grilled lemons. The only thing that distinguished it from Burgundy is a banana cream pie crust sweetness..... that just hints of another place. Something that if I were to taste blind...I would peg, LEEUWIN ESTATE! Drink it at room temp....and it really shines! So far.....this '02 has out shined the highly rated '01. (4126 views) | |
| Tasted by markellen.foodies@gmail.com on 3/19/2010 & rated 93 points: I love this wine. Great balance and acidity with pineapple notes. (4055 views) | |
| Tasted by Nutty08 on 3/19/2010 & rated 91 points: San Antonio Wine Geeks (The Home of Dave Lew): I wish I had this one prior to the Rhys. Pretty floral nose with fresh clean fruit. Palate is subtle, focused, and quite acidic even at this age, with crisp mineral and wet stone. Really grabs the palate on the finish. Little if any oak influence. More subtle than the Rhys and didn’t seem to quite have the depth and complexity, but still fantastic in a different style. (4534 views) | |
| Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 3/11/2010: At its absolute best three days open. (4158 views) | |
| Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 3/9/2010: Off the cork pull gives everything great about Art Series. Very delicious. I would go back to well at $85. (4085 views) | |
| Tasted by nzinkgraf on 3/8/2010: Laser crystalline pineapple. oak is still present on the nose. medium acid. picking up the richness of age. a decent in to lush white candy. oak still shows moderately on the palate 8 years in. these are beautifully made. (3793 views) | |
| Tasted by markellen.foodies@gmail.com on 2/2/2010 & rated 93 points: Great tropical fruit pineapple notes w excellent acidity. Promises to get better. (4134 views) | |
| Tasted by Stevesrisk on 1/26/2010 & rated 85 points: Drank this at Meridian in Indianapolis. Seems to have peaked. Deeper brown in the glass, smells almost "bad" like we waited to long. Expecting the smell to blow off we waited an hour and drank some more. No change. Lost most of it's brightness, acidity. Disappointing. One more bottle of this vintage left. Get to it soon. (4448 views) | |
| Tasted by Margauxguy on 12/11/2009 & rated 90 points: Good, but a little disappointing. Young up front, but lacking a little structure of a good white burg. Lemon and surprising acidity on back pallette. Do not want to undersell, I think my expectations were to high. Expecting a leflaive chevalier montrachet. (4227 views) | |
| Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 11/28/2009: Interesting to back track to this bottle since it has been a while since I have had any of the Art Series. Without thinking I would have said a very young wine -- '07 or '06. But the fruit not is quite strong and intense. Which I do like. It is a little less prestine than I remember -- more pear and ripe pear at that. The twist of it all is the acidity on the back of the palate. Not out of balance but strong enough that it pulls the flavors through and makes them linger. And linger a long time. But the flavors are not the fruit flavors I have come to expect. They are more walnut (?) cinnamon, secondary vanillla (if there is such a thing). Maybe not that harmonious throughout anymore -- the palate doesn't like so well with the nose. So maybe this is now a vintage to let go for a while until the intial fruit completely dries out and resovles into the body. Try again in a year? All of that malarkey being said its still beautiful and great wine. Glad I have more. The acid structure is so beautifully pure I had to put an addendum on this note. (3996 views) | |
| Tasted by Li6 on 10/18/2009: Tasted overly mature, with savory notes and the characteristic tropical fruit flavors in reserve. An off-bottle? (4202 views) | |
| Tasted by Mrbuzz on 9/16/2009 & rated 88 points: WOW...last bottle I had was in Jan. of this year...95pts and going strong. This bottle tonight is oxidized! Not oxidized to point of putrid...but it covers up the beautiful tropical flavors you get in these wines. This bottle is more sherried, brown butter, dark honey. To be honest...not a bad wine...nice, in an aged style. But knowing what this wine has tasted like a half a dozen times.......it's a let down. Hope this is just "the off bottle"....and the remainder show well. (3942 views) | |
| Tasted by guitarguy on 8/28/2009 & rated 91 points: Nose of oak, molasses. Very fresh and vibrant with ample acidity, lemon, vamilla, oak and a hint of butter when warmer. Drinks best around 50F, just below cellar temp. 40-45 is DEF. too cold. (3745 views) | |
| Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 6/11/2009: An exploritory first bottle from the stash. More mineral and straw than 03-05. opening nicely. We shall see. Four hours in its seems to be much better than what it was. But not quite in harmony with itself. Maybe this is the shipping? Or an odd point in its maturity? Quite good still. (4029 views) | |
| Tasted by Wrighty on 4/25/2009 & rated 92 points: Greeny yellow colour, crystal clear. Nose has some apple. Palate has bite a grip, some fruit comes through but this now needs some time. Half a bottle left for tomorrow. This has held up so well, acidity bites through and this really needs some age on it. Great but a little to fierce for now. (4010 views) | |
| Tasted by markellen.foodies@gmail.com on 4/11/2009 & rated 94 points: Ditto to 2 weeks ago. In a perfect spot now. Again for those who are not familiar with Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay, they are built to age. Consistently excellent year after year. (4248 views) | |
| Tasted by spaniel on 4/7/2009 & rated 94 points: Crackingly good chardonnay. I rarely see the point on commenting on the colour of a wine but the appearance of this wine in the glass was as gobsmacking as the palate. Tremendous clarity with a luminous yellow glow that seemed to radiate from the glass. The bouquet was all cashew, nectarine and tropical fruit. The palate was generous, overflowing with fruit, with neither the MLF butteriness nor the oak overdone. It is still almost tight with acid with a hint of caramel tones emerging, and I think needs at least 3 more years in bottle to show its best. (4111 views) | |
| Tasted by 1961Vintage on 3/29/2009 & rated 92 points: very complex and enticing Chard. Looking forward tot he next 3 bottles (3619 views) | |
| Tasted by markellen.foodies@gmail.com on 3/21/2009 & rated 94 points: My first of the 02's. Wonderful great acidity, and tropical fruits. I remember tasting it at the Leewin/Sunset Corners Ritz Carlton, Coconut Grove Tasting a few years ago, when it was released, and how the 100+ other attendees, thought it wanting vs the 98. They just didn't realize how beautifully this wine develops with age. I recently read where the 04 as a ringer at an Executive Wine Seminars Battle of Paris blew away all the other prized entrants.Still is my favorite chardonnay on the planet. (3722 views) | |
| Tasted by nealec on 2/21/2009 & rated 93 points: Not quite as good as the 2001 but shares many of the finer points. Golden colour, still crisp acidity, creamy tropical fruits. (3522 views) | |
| Tasted by Mrbuzz on 1/5/2009 & rated 95 points: Pretty much like the last......maybe a little banana cream pie also.....super! (3780 views) | |
| Tasted by winesteward on 9/10/2008 & rated 89 points: Light gold. Gentle oak. Well-balanced. Medium-bodied. Rich. Oranges. Long, dry finish. Elegant wine. (3849 views) | |
| Tasted by Stevesrisk on 8/25/2008 & rated 93 points: Possibly the best Chardonnay I've drunk. Soft gold in teh glass. Clear, bright. On the nose, subtle oak, apples, spice, lemon. On thje palate, up front bracing acidicity, in perfect balance with the fruit. Again, aplles, spice, ling finish. Taste changes and soften in the glass. An excellent food wine but excellent as an aperitif. California Chardonnay shouldbe more like this (although I think Trefethen is). (4087 views) | |
| Tasted by JimN on 6/20/2008 & rated 93 points: As others have noted, this wine is subtle and subdued, but it really came alive an hour after opening. I love this chardonnay with food, as it doesn't trounce the flavors of summer food dishes. I also find it is a better at a temperature that is bit warmer than you might typically use for chardonnay. (3696 views) | |
| Tasted by guitarguy on 6/15/2008 & rated 91 points: Still pretty clear with just a hint of yellow-green, the nose is creamy, oaky and has a malolactic fermentation odor. Fresh tart green apples, maybe some pear, carmel on the back end without a whole lot of oak taste (more in the nose at this point). Finish is good 45 seconds to a minute and there is perhaps just a bit of heat on the finish. Still overrated by Harvey Steiman, but a very good wine at this point. I cannot see any future aging improving this wine as the excellent acidity and length may get flabby in time. I would consume within 24 months. (3433 views) | |
| Tasted by jmull on 6/15/2008 & rated 92 points: My first experience with this benchmark Aussie white. First thing that jumps out is the vibrant golden color. Deep and dark, almost like aged Sauternes. Nearly as striking as the nose, which is presents beautiful cream but with loads of peach and tropical fruit. The latter dominates the palate, but its seasoned with --but not overwhelmed by-- beautiful wood spice. Finishes long. Powerful stuff. I don't generally love the oaky/malo school of Chardonnay, but this is a profound example of that style. Beautiful chardonnay that merits the $50 tariff as well as its stellar reputation. 92-93. (3497 views) | |
| Tasted by budman on 2/24/2008 & rated 92 points: If I had the time to decant, it might have been a 93. Great citrus,and bright acidity. (3912 views) | |
| Tasted by budman on 2/15/2008 & rated 93 points: One of the best bottles I've had (3912 views) | |
| Tasted by guitarguy on 12/14/2007 & rated 92 points: This bottle was from WineX while my previous bottles were from Bello Vino in Ann Arbor. Now I get what the other people were talking about. I am concerned my last Bello bottle will suck too (as did the prior two). Perhaps bad storage or shipping to Michigan, which we all know is a wine lovers paradise??? Anyhow, this wine actually drinks better a tad colder than warmer. Despite 5 years of age, this is straw yellow, almost sauvignon blanc-ish, not golden or orange hued. On the nose I get spice, malolactic fermentation residual and oak vanillan. Carmel , green apples, oak and allspice are apparent on the palate. Again, keep it on the cold side of serving temp to show its best. Not a mid 90 but a low 90 for sure. Michiganders, beware of Bello Vino. I see from other's notes that this wne was pretty dumb for most people through the first 10 months of this year. Perhaps it is emerging from sleep and I just drank my other two at the wrong time? I have two left to test that theory. (4025 views) | |
| Tasted by budman on 10/14/2007 & rated 93 points: Perhaps the best bottle yet!!! (4194 views) | |
| Tasted by Wrighty on 9/18/2007 & rated 94 points: Dinner with Denis Horgan plus an Art Series Chardonnay vertical from 1997 to 2004 (Crown Wine Cellars (Hong Kong)): Golden yellow. Nose is closed but palate is full and intense. Orchard fruit but some heat though. (5398 views) | |
| Tasted by cortoncharlie on 9/15/2007 & rated 92 points: We let this one breathe for 20 mins before consuming. Good overal balance with a lovely mineral backbone. decent length. Very nice wine showing better than the last bottle. (4476 views) | |
| Tasted by budman on 9/9/2007 & rated 92 points: Apple notes, an endless finish. Great wine!! (4341 views) | |
| Tasted by TKendrickIV on 9/1/2007 & rated 92 points: I agree a bit subdued but I very nice wine (4121 views) | |
| Tasted by CamWheeler on 8/26/2007 & rated 90 points: Blind Chardonnay Tasting (Sydney, Australia): Some musk, pineapple and well integrated oak. Lovely on the palate, really good length and mouthfeel. Fruit intensity is spot on. Lots of potential from here. (4431 views) | |
| Tasted by cortoncharlie on 7/27/2007 & rated 88 points: Agree with budman that it was more "subdued" than usual for this wine but nothing intrinsicaly bad about the wine.... (3967 views) | |
| Tasted by guitarguy on 7/15/2007 & rated 83 points: At first we thought this was corked but I think that it might have been some must or perhaps a nasty oak offtone. I am sick about spending $50 on this trash. What a waste of money. I cannot see what the critics saw in this crap. Maybe they smoke weed before they taste. Anyhow, behind that nasty oak/cork/undefined flavor-odor, was a nose of oak and vanilla. The flavors, again, behind the "flaw" was some sour apple, molasses, maybe lemon. (3763 views) | |
| Tasted by budman on 6/3/2007 & rated 92 points: A llittle more subdued than usual, but still an excellent chard! (3931 views) | |
| Tasted by wineismylife on 4/15/2007 & rated 90 points: WIML90? Tasted April 15, 2007 at an offline. No formal note. Light yellow to yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Aromas and flavors of citrus fruits, cream and plenty of tropical fruit notes. Medium acidity and body. Drink over the short to medium term. (4101 views) | |
| Tasted by guitarguy on 3/30/2007 & rated 86 points: Not up to snuff. Not sure if this is the bottle variance or what. I was expecting more than a typical, overoaked, malolactic drenched California chardonnay. I could have bought this for $25 in a Cali char, no need to pay $50 to Australia. What a disappointment. Strong oak nose, maybe some allspice. Acidity is there and prevalent but there is also that malolactic roundness that can be somewhat bitter. Butterscotch, green apples. Just not nearly worth money, not nearly up to the WS rating. No surprise. Disappointing waste of $$$, absolutely terrible QPR. I hope my other four bottles are not this weak. If so, I will be disgusted and never buy Leeuwin again. (3880 views) | |
| Tasted by budman on 3/17/2007 & rated 93 points: Awesome, as always!!! (4354 views) | |
| Tasted by pederwelander on 3/10/2007 & rated 88 points: Bra och stor karaktär (4144 views) | |
| Tasted by paulst on 3/7/2007 & rated 88 points: Concentrated deep fruit with a syrupy finish composed of apricot honey and peach. (4040 views) | |
| Tasted by Paul Lin on 1/26/2007 & rated 84 points: Australia Day Wine Celebration (Outback Steakhouse, Los Angeles, CA): A harsh wine. Straw and hay notes with a rough texture and bitter finish. (4842 views) | |
| Tasted by paulst on 1/26/2007 & rated 88 points: Apricot with some heat on the roof lemon honey pear. (4313 views) | |
| Tasted by budman on 1/26/2007 & rated 93 points: What an incredibly consistent wine. Glad I have a few more left!!! (4498 views) | |
| Tasted by Mrbuzz on 1/22/2007 & rated 95 points: Rich and full of tropical fruit, pears, white honey butter, mineral tones, exotic wood spice, floral infused oil. Great sharp lemon/lime acidity, creamed up with the rich fruit, and balanced wood. Still room for plenty of age....but tasty now! (3902 views) | |
| Tasted by budman on 8/27/2006 & rated 93 points: Great stuff. Citrus... but smoooooth!!!! (4529 views) | |
| Tasted by budman on 7/6/2006 & rated 93 points: This wine will continue to improve for at least 5 years. A lot of citrus, but the pieces are there for long aging!!! (4430 views) | |
| Tasted by vintage72 on 5/27/2006 & rated 94 points: Really pretty chard. Butter nose, pineapple and passion fruit nose. One of the best chards I have tasted. Need to get more as time will only add to the allure of this beauty. (4360 views) | |
| Tasted by budman on 5/26/2006 & rated 94 points: Wow. My first bottle (of 16). Personally, I think it will be a lot better with another year under its belt. Long finish. Smooth mouthfeel. Lots of blended fruit flavors!!! (4692 views) | |
| Tasted by Thilo on 5/14/2006 & rated 95 points: This is arguably my favorite "new world" Chardonnay year in and year out. This particular vintage may be the best yet. Color is medium gold, with a nice depth. Nose shows apple, quince, hint of pineapple, and spices...oak is noticed as well. On the palate there is a incredible concentration of apple and citrus flavors at the fore quickly followed by a nice sense of honey and spice. Oak is nicely incorporated, and the whole package is finished with a perfect amount of acidity. Truly a great Chardonnay. (4558 views) | |
| Tasted by trankin on 5/6/2006 & rated 92 points: Very nice. Classic oaky buttery California chard but very nice acids keep it well balanced and enjoyable. (4476 views) | |
| Tasted by JimmyV on 4/21/2006 & rated 94 points: Tremendous balance of fruit and minerals. Great tropical fruit notes with pear and a bit of lime, but with enough acidity to prevent this from ever becoming tiring. (4905 views) | |
| Tasted by Wrighty on 1/12/2006 & rated 96 points: Wow, this is as good as they say. Initial big fruit hit on the nose with some apricot and sweet pear coming through but this 'fades' to reveal a more mineral nose with some perfume and oak. The palate is similar with big sweet fruit including pear and melon to start, being overtaken by some structure, soft oak and long mineral finish. None of the obvious oak from the 2001and loads of great silky fruit which is all really well balanced. (4943 views) | |
| Tasted by winefool on 10/1/2005 & rated 92 points: Pale yellow color. Lovely nose of ripe yellow fruit. Nice rich fruit on the palate with firm acidity. 10/05 (4147 views) |
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Leeuwin EstateProducer web siteU.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.ChardonnayThe Chardonnay GrapeAustraliaWine Australia (Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation) | Australian Wines (Wikipedia)Western AustraliaWine Regions of Western AustraliaMargaret Riverhttps://margaretriver.wine/ |