March 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?
August 25, 2023 - 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
December 25, 2022 - 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.
June 6, 2022 - Bold fruit and some interesting earthiness! Very nice.
October 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.
September 12, 2021 - 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.
August 31, 2021 - 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
May 29, 2021 - 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.
April 26, 2021 - 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.
January 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.