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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.9 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 154 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by twoglassesofwine on 8/27/2022 & rated 95 points: Chinese yellow wine, burnt caramel, butter corn notes, smooth palate finish. Burnt sugar waffle cookie. But fades fast upon opening. Very fun! (687 views) | | | Tasted by dnnk88 on 11/27/2020 & rated 93 points: End Nov Wine Night @ GWC!: I purchased one recently so great to have the chance to try tonight. Yellow fruits, popcorn, buttery, sea salt caramel, tinge of gula melaka. A lot going on and fun to drink! Eye opener for an aged Chard Art Series. Open sooner than later. (1664 views) | | | Tasted by Mrbuzz on 10/23/2020 & rated 95 points: Just like the 02 did a few years ago...the last 01 of a case is going out a winner! I have enjoyed these wines from day one immensely...but with the cork closure there have been some poxed bottles. Last bottle I had was in 2011, and it was ok, but not a great one like in 2010. 9 years later...another great one! Tight squeaky cork...golden metallic color, yet a clean, no pox nose. Rich and creamy pitted orchard fruit like peach and apricot...as well as a little tropical flare of grilled pineapple...integrated with age, shows some dried honey sweetness...yet still has a good dose of citrus acidity that freshens with pucker. Love the exotics in this...hot buttered rum spice, marzipan, toasted marshmallow, match strike...well balanced vanilla oak...chalky minerality, sea salt caramels create wonderful salinity to the rich fruit. Just fantastic! Refuels my passion for these wines...the Coche down under! Can imagine the screw cap versions, on younger vintages, are even better. (1942 views) | | | Tasted by UMRich on 9/19/2020 flawed bottle: Got buried in cellar. Totally oxidized. Deep amber color, sherried. (1647 views) | | | Tasted by SPierson on 7/15/2020 & rated 93 points: Amazing color for a 19 yo wine. No hint of age. Still very well structured and balanced. Lovely faint nose and finish. (1784 views) | | | Tasted by Frijole on 4/21/2020: dark gold, lots of clarity, silvery hue
Nose: tart apple, stone fruit, stones, musk, white pepper, marigold, green pepper, minerals, honey, wax, oak
Pal: tart apple, stone fruit, stones, musk, white pepper, minerals, green pepper, marigold, brioche, honey, wax, toasted caramel, oak, complex
Feel: full, medium, astringent
Finish: long
T9 (could be a 10) (1398 views) | | | Tasted by mjf@ulkner on 1/1/2020 flawed bottle: over the hill. oxidized. (857 views) | | | Tasted by JM92646 on 10/8/2019 flawed bottle: I am a big fan of the Leeuwin Art Chardonnay and have tasted this vintage several times over the past 10 years with mixed results. Some of the bottles I opened deserved a rating of 95 points. But more than one bottle has developed a carmel color and corresponding oxidized/over-the-top butterscotch taste. Maybe some of the bottles I acquired had not be stored properly. Regardless, I think WS was over optimistic in giving this a drink window of 2004-2020. (864 views) | | | Tasted by cortoncharlie on 4/21/2018 & rated 87 points: I cannot say this is a bad wine and for a new world chardonnay it has aged somewhat gracefully. I have not tasted this for over 10 years now and as the fruit had dried out a bit the 14% alc and the wood just bothered me to the point I had to pour out half the bottle. Great label though... (2131 views) | | | Tasted by Derek Darth Taster on 12/26/2017 & rated 88 points: Boxing Day dinner at Asparagus's. Pop and poured. Drank over 2 hours.
Appearance is clear, medium intensity, gold colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, low intensity. Very muted. Very barely perceptible aromas of wet stones minerality, some toasty biscuit with a bit more air. ?Overdeveloped?
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium+ alcohol (14%), medium body. Medium flavour intensity, with flavours of nutty oak, wet stones minerality, chalky minerality, yellow pear, lemon drops. Long finish.
Had lots of expectations digging up this old bottle from the cellar. Giving this the benefit of the doubt. Will be trying again later today to see if it makes a miraculous recovery with more air.
Day 3 under vacuum seal in bottle: Clearer nose with chalky and wet stones minerality and bits of butter oil. More fleshy golden pears and sweet butter oil on the palate. In no way oxidative. Still going strong. With a long lingering finish. Should have decanted this on Day 1. (1977 views) | | | Tasted by Russell Faulkner on 9/17/2017: Drink up (2071 views) | | | Tasted by vinhonotte on 7/22/2017 & rated 92 points: Cellaraid - Chardonnay Corfefe Luncheon and red wine based Dinner (Tonny's Restaurant): clear, deep lemon; clean nose of medium intensity, with aromas of peach, lemon, apricot, toast, dry, with medium acidity, medium alcohol, full body, intensely flavoured, with peach, apricot, toast, grass, long finish; good wine; can drink now, but has potential for ageing (2554 views) | | | Tasted by CamWheeler on 6/15/2017 & rated 89 points: Farewell for now: Not showing a lot on the nose, there is some straw and honey but not leaping from the glass tonight. The palate is better, with good balance between the honeyed fruit and the structure from the oak and acidity, though it does lack a little depth. Not sure if I'd hold these longer if this bottle is representative. (2624 views) | | | Tasted by JonnyG on 6/15/2017 & rated 94 points: Quick Notes From a Memorable Night in Sydney (Cirrus, Barangaroo): In stellar form, especially with air. Butterscotch, pear, citrus and clove, along with a fine minerality holding things in lovely balance. (2198 views) | | | Tasted by Tsliwinski on 11/24/2016 & rated 96 points: Still has it. Nice fruit present with light butterscotch background, having a long finish (1951 views) | | | Tasted by David J Cooper on 11/19/2016 flawed bottle: Horribly oxidized. (1674 views) | | | Tasted by drjb on 2/25/2016 & rated 94 points: PE's Birthday. Pale green-gold colour. Beautiful nose of golden pear, white peach and nectarine, acacia, cashew and touches of honey. Medium weight palate with great length and drive. Remarkably fresh with some development of added complexity. A great Leeuwin chardonnay in perfect shape under cork. (2214 views) | | | Tasted by Pinotphile123 on 2/13/2016 & rated 90 points: Well and truly developed but still primary Chardonnay characteristics. Drink up. (2116 views) | | | Tasted by Happy Sommelier on 6/29/2015 & rated 99 points: Opened my last bottle today of this absolutely wonderful wine. Glad that it was perfect and sad that I have no more.
Perfectly balanced, the 2001 Art Series Chardonnay glows from the glass golden yellow. With ageing this wine has developed some nut overtones while retaining its delicious fruit character of lemon and pear. Luscious, harmonious and gorgeous in the glass, this is without a doubt one of the best Chardonnays I have ever tasted in my 25 years of serious tasting.
See previous notes for further detail. (2891 views) | | | Tasted by Peech on 6/11/2015 & rated 94 points: vanilla and lemon. Soooo ripe and buttery. Yum! (80 views) | | | Tasted by NiklasW on 3/6/2015: Wine tasting at Paul B's place (Cambridge, UK): Tasted double blind. Very different to the previous two wines, although also amber in colour. Truffles and some vanilla on the nose, very savoury, with a hint of honey. The palate is rather fullsome, almost tanniny, but still very dry. We could not guess this was a Chardonnay! (3210 views) | | | Tasted by Naplesgolfer on 1/22/2015 flawed bottle: The bottle was oxidized. (2531 views) | | | Tasted by MBannon on 12/25/2014 & rated 93 points: A beautiful, elegant wine that is starting to shows signs of age. (2242 views) | | | Tasted by Giggs on 12/6/2014 & rated 93 points: Not decanted. A much better bottle than my previous one. Deft balance of acidity, fruit, and oak. Well done. (2307 views) | | | Tasted by Button Yang on 7/15/2014 & rated 97 points: Served at 25C, the temperature is obvious toooooooo high. Used ordinary white wine glass(riesling/sauvignon blanc shape), still, I can feel marmalade, acacia, pop-corn, butter, toffee, mineral nose. Full bodied, balanced with good acidity, some oily/sticky touch but comfortable. The finish seems to be endless. What if I drink it in standard montrachet glass! Unbelievable wine! (2596 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Decanter and JancisRobinson.com and The WINEFRONT and Vinous 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.
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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