Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia 2020
Leeuwin Estate, one of the founding wineries in the Margaret River region of Western Australia, is a family producer with an international reputation for creating wines ranking alongside the world’s finest. In 1972, legendary Napa Valley winemaker, Robert Mondavi, identified the future site of the Leeuwin vineyard as being ideal for the production of premium wine and provided early mentorship to Denis and Tricia Horgan in the transformation of their cattle farm into Leeuwin Estate. A nursery was planted in 1974 with vineyard sites planted from 1975. Enjoying its first commercial vintage in 1979, Leeuwin Estate was thrust into the global wine spotlight when Decanter Magazine highly recommended the 1981 “Art Series” Chardonnay after an international blind tasting. The accolades have continued, with Leeuwin Estate wines found in leading Restaurants and Wine Merchants across 30 markets. Now under the stewardship of three generations of the founding family, who work alongside a team of dedicated viticulturalists and winemakers, the focus remains firmly on creating site expressive wines of the finest quality. Celebrating the art of fine wine, the Estate’s most opulent and age worthy wines, the “Art Series’ are identified with paintings from Australia’s leading contemporary artists on the labels. A pioneer in wine tourism, Leeuwin Estate incorporates a multi-award-winning Restaurant, Cellar Door and Art Gallery and creates unique visitor experiences.
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay and Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon are both included in the prestigious ‘Langtons Classification of Australian Wine, representing Australia’s most highly sought-after wines based on consumer demand, collectability, and prices fetched at auction. Art Series Chardonnay has been included in the special designation of ‘1st Classified,’ reserved for a small cohort of wines representing the most desirable wines in Australia that compete with the world’s finest.
Energetic and well poised, an array of fresh lime and nashi pear is laced throughout. The palate is ethereal, mineral and defined with a presence of natural acidity. There is an enticing element of saline, wet stone and phyllitic characteristic that weaves within. The shape and frame on the palate is present and focussed with effortless length.