What we always love most about Leeuwin Estate is the sheer level of consistency, and yet the perpetual ability to always surprise and delight with each new vintage. Their iconic Art Series Chardonnay always shines as their flagship star, and for very good reason; it continues to set a high benchmark for not just their Margaret River contemporaries, but many Australian winemakers in how to execute a classy Chardonnay that holds complexity and elegance in equal measure. This new 2021 vintage is no exception in that regard; tasting it now, it's marvelous, but its ability to reward cellaring is second to none on the Australian scene.
Of course, there is always so much to love in their other Art Series though too; the Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon both show classic Margaret River nuance and balance, while the Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling expressions push forth lengthy refreshing palates of bright fruit and mineral drive.
If you ask us, these wines seem to get better and better every year, and we're thrilled to have them on pour at this Saturday's (16th) tasting. We've got the lovely Dean Burley in for the second week in a row to host, and he's excited to show you how Leeuwin Estate have continued their coveted legacy this time around! Don't miss out on this one, and come join in anytime from 12 to 2pm (though we expect they will pour out quickly!)
Leeuwin Estate Tasting Lineup - Saturday 16th of March
Running 12 to 2pm
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Art Series Riesling 2023 - $22 on special; $25 RRP
"An energetic and vibrant nose, nestled within a fruit spectrum bursting with Tahitian lime, Lisbon lemon and a hint of green apple. The aromatics of fennel seed, Thai basil, and lime leaf add an extra and intriguing layer of complexity. Delicately textured, yet equally exuberant, limes and zesty lemons feature at the forefront of the palate. There is minerality and brine-like structure providing elegance and finesse, leading to a finely boned acid frame with a talc like finish." - Winemaker Notes
"Very light straw/yellow hue with a lifted fragrance of gardenia and lemon/citrus blossoms, the wine is delicate, refined and dry, with a refreshing cleanness and lightness but also length of palate. Bracing acidity. Very smart, elegant riesling that begs to be accompanied by food, especially fish.” - 92 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
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Art Series Sauvignon Blanc 2023 - $30 on special; $34 RRP
"The palate creates energy and vitality throughout, showcasing citrus, lemon sherbet, grapefruit and burnt limes. Diligent textures combine with subtle yet complex chamomile and cardamon spice as a fine, woven, and pristine acid profile defines the long concentrated structured palate." - Winemaker Notes
"I have to say I think this is the best Art Series savvy yet released. It combines the beautiful aromatic nuances evident immediately with a beautifully crafted textural palate. The palate is sublime with its rich intensity and centration of fruit lifted and revealed with a minerally acidity. That texture comes from 30% barrel fermentation in one-year-old French oak barriques and then four months fermentation in barrels. The blend of these with some tank fermented components has created an ideal expression of this variety." - 95 Points, Ray Jordan, WinePilot
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Art Series Shiraz 2021 - $43 on special; $49 RRP
“How easily we forget the glories of Margaret River Shiraz, so often overshadowed by its more noble sibling, Cabernet. Wines like this certainly remind us of the error of our ways. Crimson/garnet. There are notes of spices, red fruits, dry herbs, redcurrants, soy, warm earth, truffles and cherries. A beautifully fragrant, elegant and finely crafted Shiraz. Very fine tannins, though plenty of them, with that hint of graphite that seems typical of the region. Excellent length. This should drink well for the next six to ten years. Love it. This is not just one of the very best Leeuwin Shiraz I have seen, but one of the best from Margaret River.” - 95 Points, Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
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Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 - $87 on special ; $99 RRP
"Elevated, perfumed and fragrant, higher notes of bay leaf, clove and dried sage meet opulent blackcurrant and Morello cherries. Incredible complexity in a niched corridor of camphor, lavender, and cayenne pepper. Generosity, layers and contours surround the palate. Density of dark forest fruits combine with cacao, cracked coffee and anise. Vibrancy and energy is underlined with a mineral and graphite acid line and delicate elegant finish." - Winemaker Notes
"Deep ruby red in the glass. Classic aromas of cassis, tobacco and cedar shavings lift up and are mirrored on the full, yet supple palate. The balance between the fruit weight and sandy persistent tannins creates a tension that sends the entire package very long to the finish. Very classy and classic Margaret River cabernet." - 95 Points, Stuart Knox, The Real Review
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Art Series Chardonnay 2021 - $159 on special ; $175 RRP
"Light straw colour with a reserved lemon/grapefruit aroma, fresh and penetrating, the palate brisk and bright with vibrant acidity and intense grapefruit/lemon flavours that persist the full length of the very long palate. Superb vitality and balance. It promises to reward cellaring too. Tremendously concentrated and compact, with extreme drive and massive persistence, it positively vibrates with energy. Very cellarworthy, too." - 98 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
"The 2021 Art Series Chardonnay leads with a distinctly floral nose: jasmine and white garden rose, wisteria and lemon blossom. On the palate, the wine is powerful and savory—it leans heavily on exotic dry spice and cracked honeycomb, with hints of salted butter on fresh white bread, beeswax and salted pink grapefruit. Stylistically, it is not dissimilar to the 2017; however, the dovetailing of acid and fruit feels seamless and well matched here. The wine is piercing and structural, tightly coiled and almost rigid, in the best of ways. It's an impressive wine, one that, at this stage of its life, is defined by its penetrating acid line." - 97+ Points, Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate
If you wish to buy any of these wines, please use the links above ? Alternatively, email us at sales@thewineemporium.com.au, or contact us on (07)32521117 if you have any questions // Prices valid until the Wednesday the 20th of March