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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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+
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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3/6/2024 - Trickyone wrote:
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?
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8/25/2023 - ProfByron Likes this wine: 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
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12/25/2022 - DWaterman Likes this wine: 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.
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6/6/2022 - Shak Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bold fruit and some interesting earthiness! Very nice.
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10/14/2021 - Neecies Likes this wine:
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.
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9/12/2021 - pjjsmith wrote: 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.
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8/31/2021 - WK88 Likes this wine: 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
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5/29/2021 - wmccone54 wrote: 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.
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4/26/2021 - R2-D2 wrote: 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.
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1/9/2021 - Trickyone Likes this wine:
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.
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10/16/2020 - Neecies Does not like this wine:
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.
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10/3/2020 - Psdycp wrote: 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.
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8/19/2020 - sfwinelover1 wrote: 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+
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7/27/2020 - jhw425 wrote: 90 Points
Drank by the pool with a steak. Very fresh and fun to drink outside
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12/5/2019 - ProfByron wrote: 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}
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11/13/2019 - Kayecheg wrote:
Very dry and not as complex as I would expect from a wine this old and expensive.
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10/8/2019 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 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.
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10/3/2019 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 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.
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5/27/2019 - RussK wrote: 91 Points
Russk. Wine Spectator grand tour. Nice acidity.
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5/9/2019 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Darn that is good notes Rebecca. Herbal and aromatic and some tension on the palate.
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12/26/2018 - 素人俠 wrote: 90 Points
Average.
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9/30/2018 - HL Pong wrote: 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!
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8/16/2018 - DanielJH Likes this wine:
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.
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7/22/2018 - RieslingFanatic wrote:
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.
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