External search
Google (images)
Wine Advocate
Wine Spectator
Burghound
Wine-Searcher
Vintages
2023
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
Show more
From this producer
Show all wines
All tasting notes
|
| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.1 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 25 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Irish_Wine on 4/15/2024 & rated 92 points: Bright blackcurrant fruit with a minty edge. Cocoa and tobacco.
Great freshness on the palate with fine tannins. Dried blackcurrant and vanilla emerge on the persistent finish.
Drink now or hold. (110 views) | | | Tasted by Decanting Queen on 12/14/2023 & rated 90 points: At the end of it’s peak now, on the downslope but very enjoyable. Mature but complex intense nose of rich plummy fruit. If only the palate had matched the intensity this would have been 3-4 points higher. Pnp and consumed relatively quickly before and during dinner so not sure if this might have put on more weight if we had left it to decant for awhile. (1055 views) | | | Tasted by graemeg on 12/6/2023: NobleRottersSydney - Marg River & Great Southern (Fix, St James, Sydney): {screwcap, 13.5%} [DavidH] Vivid garnet. Black olive and currants. Subtle oak only. Soft and very drinkable palate. Fruit-driven it seems, never unripe; medium acid, medium dusty tannins, medium weight. Good, even palate balance. Even, medium-length palate. At a stroke has swept away all the prejudice I held against this label from the nasty greens vintages they offered through the 80s, 90s, right up to about twenty years ago. And justifying the ‘sleeper’ nature of 2011, was better than the 2010 bottle we tasted afterwards. Amongst the big name CS bottlings from MR, this has always been the cheapest; it might be a bargain to judge by this. (346 views) | | | Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 8/8/2023: On day two really came around to have a beautiful black currant character to it. Supple on the palate, with a touch of a green edge, but in a pretty way. (708 views) | | | Tasted by Vatch on 3/5/2023 & rated 90 points: At it's peak right now, tannins fully integrated. Wouldnt wait longer. (713 views) | | | Tasted by Condrieu82 on 5/19/2022 & rated 91 points: Dark ruby color. Nose of cassis and blackberries with hints of oak and tones of wet forest floor. Medium acidity, fresh, good structure, elegant and fruity with cassis and blackberries. Nice tannins to keep this together, some bleached almond notes and some anise and oaky notes. Very enjoyable - this could evolve still and develop some tertiary notes. It’s fruity but elegant, enjoyable and easy to drink. (1314 views) | | | Tasted by Rick 4 Wine on 7/7/2020 & rated 88 points: Not sure what was different with this bottle from my last Save two years but found this quite green on the front palate and lingering with a tartness that finished like alum. (2409 views) | | | Tasted by tellison@legacy-capital.com on 3/16/2019 & rated 88 points: Totally not ready yet-I’ll try in the next one in five years. (2969 views) | | | Tasted by vinhonotte on 1/19/2019 & rated 91 points: Perth/ Margaret River Trip; 1/17/2019-1/20/2019 (Perth/ Margaret River): Blackberry, cherry, teak wood, paprika. Fleshy, and manage to Feels a bit like a Right Bank Bordeaux... (3086 views) | | | Tasted by gteran76 on 7/29/2018 & rated 92 points: Very good wine for the price, a little low in alcohol, very well balanced and midium finish & body. I think this wine is at peak but may have a long life ahead. (3411 views) | | | Tasted by Rick 4 Wine on 4/15/2018 & rated 92 points: Complete surprise and as a PnP. Obviously a bit young and my rating is based upon drinking now rather than how this will mature (my guess 94-95 at maturity). This shows great purple fruit balanced by skin tannins and slight oaking. Terroir is evident but not prominent and shows up only at the mid finish through fade. I get some schist but otherwise mellow stone. At this age we get a little green vegetation that blows off quickly but also a slight sulfur (perhaps a preservative?) - just very slight - I thought about trying the Molly Dooker shake as it seemed to relax with air time. (3056 views) | | | Tasted by Goldstone on 12/28/2017 & rated 91 points: Degustation Lunch with 'Museum' Wine Flight (Leeuwin Estate, Stevens Rd, Margaret River WA 6285, Australia): Almost transparent purple-red. Nose is an immediate impression of red velvet curtains, rich Americans coffee, lots of oak but integrating well, hints of warm tarmac, ripe black plum, sandalwood.....I could smell this forever. Palate is gorgeously well-delineated lead pencil with fresh acidity, elegance but lots of power in a slightly dilute body, lovely blackberry fruit...the epitome of top-end Margaret RiverR Cabernet Sauvignon. Hints of fresh liquorice stick. A nice mounting but elegantly subtle length. Is just entering its early drinking window. Lacks the deeper power of the 2012. 91+ (2813 views) | | | Tasted by maxima on 2/26/2017 & rated 90 points: Un beau vin sur la fraicheur, en rondeur et franc de gout.
Le nez est sur les fruits rouges et l`élevage avec un peu de poivrons.
En bouche, du cassis, des fraises et du poivre avec des tannins assez fins sur une finale longue et opulente. (2899 views) | | | Tasted by rjonwine@gmail.com on 2/8/2017 & rated 91 points: Saturated, very dark ruby color; menthol, tart red currant nose; tart red currant, menthol palate with good balancing acidity; medium-plus finish 91+ points (585 views) | | | Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 10/25/2016: '02 was the winemaker mandate to make better cabernet and indeed, it was very expensive.
Green and floral and a touch of tobacco. And apparently made by two very handsome men. (3025 views) | | | Tasted by peternelson on 10/15/2016 & rated 89 points: Light bell pepper, cassis, touch soapy IMHO, dry, very tangy, light, sharp finish. Too lean. 88-89. Much prefer the Art Series Chard. (2453 views) | | | Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 9/27/2016: TOuch violety and green a challenging cabernet but a darn good one. (2390 views) | | | Tasted by Collector1855 on 8/26/2016 & rated 93 points: During a wine education dinner I hosted. Nose of dark fruit, lots of blueberry and cassis. Very fruity. Good mid mouth volume, not overly complex beyond the blue fruit spectrum, probably needs a bit more age for secondary aromas to emerge. Wait till 2018. (2574 views) |
| By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (10/20/2016)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Suckling
JamesSuckling.com (3/1/2016)
(Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River Art Series, Australia) Subscribe to see review text. | By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, Australia Rediscovers Its Mojo (Mar 2016) (3/1/2016)
(Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Art Series) Subscribe to see review text. | By Campbell Mattinson
The WINEFRONT (1/1/2015)
(Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Halliday
Halliday Wine Companion (12/1/2014)
(leeuwin estate art series margaret river cabernet sauvignon) Subscribe to see review text. | By Julia Harding, MW
JancisRobinson.com (1/2/2014)
(Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (2/8/2017)
(Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Art Series) Saturated, very dark ruby color; menthol, tart red currant nose; tart red currant, menthol palate with good balancing acidity; medium-plus finish 91+ points 91 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and JamesSuckling.com and Vinous and The WINEFRONT and Halliday Wine Companion and RJonWine.com. (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.
Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Art SeriesTHE STORY
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon is made up of the Houghton clone and a touch of malbec. Batch vinification is followed by maturation in new (50%) French oak and one-year-old “chateau” barrels for up to 24 months. In classic southern Margaret River style, this wine is typified by blackcurrant, cassis and tobacco leaf aromas, underlying savoury, new oak and muscular, fine tannin structures.
Top Vintages Langton's Classification Outstanding
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 1997, 1995, 1991.Cabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
Used as frequently in blends as in varietal wines, Cabernet Sauvignon has a large number of common blending partners. Apart from the obvious Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the most prevalent of these are Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere (the ingredients of a classic Bordeaux Blend), Shiraz (in Australia's favorite blend) and in Spain and South America, a Cabernet – Tempranillo blend is now commonplace. Even the bold Tannat-based wines of Madiran are now generally softened with Cabernet SauvignonAustralia Wine Australia (Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation) | Australian Wines (Wikipedia)Western Australia Wine Regions of Western AustraliaMargaret Riverhttps://margaretriver.wine/ |
|
