Description
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2019
Purity and clarity are the hallmarks of this wine. Woven lime curd, poached pear, lemon flesh and white nectarine feature at the forefront. This vintage breathes energy with lifted Chinese star jasmine, lime blossom and ginger notes. The complexity of cinnamon quill, toasted hazelnuts, nougat, panna cotta, flint and graphite diligently lie in the background.
The palate is bright and energetic, with laced mineral acidity. Bursting lemon, lime and pear skin meet oyster shell and saline notes, providing a precise corridor and direction. Gently coiled textures give lateral capacity and dimension.
“In many ways the most Burgundian of any of the Leeuwin releases, this will rank up there with the best to date. There’s a waxy light mealy aroma which picks up nuances of limestone and spice with a trace of grapefruit. But it is the palate that really distinguishes it. There is an austerity with the minerally chalky feel that cuts through the fruit extending to a finish of extraordinary length. Precision and focus harness a wine of great power and poise before dry savoury edges lift the finish.”
99 points, White Wine & Chardonnay of the Year
Ray Jordan, WA Wine Review 2023
March 2022
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
A concentrated and dark nose displaying dense blackcurrants and dark cherries. Heightened floral notes of violets and bay leaf diligently combine with savoury spice notes of black cardamom, anise, clove and cumin. There is an evident undernote of graphite and flint, providing a very detailed nose.
Intensity and density pairs with purity and elegance. Predominately a blackcurrant thread on the palate, there is so much offering in layers. Bold, rich and contoured primary fruits engage with bright, almost mineral acidity, contoured with olive tapenade, iodine and sage. The tannins are silky, finely polishing the shape and finish on the palate.
“The foundation vineyard of Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet is the 1975-planted Block 8. The vineyard is meticulously managed to promote the development of high intensity fruit and fine classical grainy tannins. Although the growing season and maritime climate are similar to Bordeaux, the atmospheric conditions, lateritic soils, Karri forests and bush-garrigue bring a very different and highly particular set of challenges. The region also has an astonishing diversity of bird life which presents difficulties. Most vineyards are nowadays netted after veraison to stave off the squadrons of Australian ringneck 28ers (Twenty Eight Parrots). Deep crimson. Classical blackcurrant cedar aromas with lifted espresso, roasted chestnut notes. Inky deep and beautifully concentrated wine with dense blackcurrant, dark plum, dark chocolate flavours, fine grainy/chocolaty tannins and perfectly integrated cedar oak. A superb grainy firm finish and mineral length. A great Leeuwin Estate Cabernet. Now – 2040”.
99 points
Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal
March 2022
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