Leeuwin Estate
About Leeuwin Estate
One of the five founding wineries of the Margaret River appellation in Western Australia, the family-owned Leeuwin Estate was recognised by one of the greatest names in the world of fine wine for its excellence as early as 1972. The legendary Robert Mondavi, king of Napa Valley, was instrumental in nurturing Leeuwin Estate by providing mentorship to owners Denis and Tricia Horgan. Touched by this greatness, and with no little help from the breathtaking terroir, Leeuwin Estate was propelled into superstardom in 1981 after Decanter Magazine awarded its Art Series Chardonnay the highest score possible.
Leeuwin Estate's Art Series
Leeuwin Estate's "Art Series" wines are the very pinnacle of Australian winemaking. Adorned each year with specially commissioned artwork, these wines represents Leeuwin's most opulent and age-worthy wines. Stylistically, the wines are a bit less punchy and blustery than those of Barossa or MacLaren Vale, drawing comparisons with Old World regions, particularly Bordeaux.
The monumental Leeuwin Estate "Art Series" Chardonnay has been the most iconic in the series, one of only two chardonnays considered to be the equivalent of Grand Cru quality in the entire country by the Langton's Classification of Australian Wines, this wine's rarity is the only impediment to it equaling the Grands Crus of Europe for fame as well as quality.
Alongside Chardonnay, Leeuwin Estate also produces a Cabernet Sauvignon cuvée, which is dubbed ‘the Mouton-Rothschild of Australia' by James Suckling. Art Series Shiraz is the newest variety to be added to the legendary collection.
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Western Australia | 3 | 97 (TRR) |
Inc. VAT
£732.07 |
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The Real Review (97)Brilliantly deep, brooding red/purple colour. The bouquet is fresh and vibrant, with loads of cassis, violet and blackberry varietal fruit, expertly infused with cedary oak notes. The wine is very intense and powerful, full-bodied and well structured, the cassis flavours rocketing through on the very extended finish and aftertaste. A majestic cabernet. |
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Western Australia | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£670.87 |
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Western Australia | 1 | 99 (WP) |
Inc. VAT
£1,160.47 |
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Wine Pilot (99)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. |
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Western Australia | 1 | 99 (RJO) |
Inc. VAT
£1,736.47 |
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Ray Jordan (99)It would not surprise me if this was considered the greatest Leeuwin chardonnay yet. You would get no argument from me... there is elegance and power here. Subtle layered wine. It was a year of great concentration and power. Has pear and lime character that is part of the DNA. The fruit is generous, especially about the mid palate. Has a subtle and not overstated flinty character with a lift of spice. The oak is brilliantly managed and complementary. It's very tight and precise and the whole-bunch technique gives it that stalky, phenolics character. There's a savoury almond meal character on the finish. Incredible length and power here. The minerally character on the finish is quite pronounced. In the top three, certainly, of any Leeuwin chardonnay. |
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Western Australia | 1 | 91 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£412.87 |
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Vinous (91)Shiraz is on the move in Margaret River as evidenced by this delightful release from the 2019 Art Series. It offers up sensational aromas of mulberry, blackberry, clove and white pepper with some stalky notes providing a tantalising start. There is plenty of fleshy fruit flavour as well with jube and fruits pastilles with a dusting of toasted cloves. A supple finish only adds to immediate drinkability as does fine length. |
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Western Australia | 1 | 93 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£338.47 |
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Wine Advocate (93)Has been through a few subtle iterations in recent years and this one reverts to a previous style which is more generous and immediately flavoursome. Has a creamy texture with a light lemon curd and peachy stone fruit all held with deliberate restraint to give it that extra polish and classy dimension. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Western Australia | 3 | 97 (TRR) |
In Bond
£578.00 |
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The Real Review (97)Brilliantly deep, brooding red/purple colour. The bouquet is fresh and vibrant, with loads of cassis, violet and blackberry varietal fruit, expertly infused with cedary oak notes. The wine is very intense and powerful, full-bodied and well structured, the cassis flavours rocketing through on the very extended finish and aftertaste. A majestic cabernet. |
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Western Australia | 1 | - |
In Bond
£527.00 |
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Western Australia | 1 | 99 (WP) |
In Bond
£935.00 |
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Wine Pilot (99)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. |
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|
Western Australia | 1 | 99 (RJO) |
In Bond
£1,415.00 |
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Ray Jordan (99)It would not surprise me if this was considered the greatest Leeuwin chardonnay yet. You would get no argument from me... there is elegance and power here. Subtle layered wine. It was a year of great concentration and power. Has pear and lime character that is part of the DNA. The fruit is generous, especially about the mid palate. Has a subtle and not overstated flinty character with a lift of spice. The oak is brilliantly managed and complementary. It's very tight and precise and the whole-bunch technique gives it that stalky, phenolics character. There's a savoury almond meal character on the finish. Incredible length and power here. The minerally character on the finish is quite pronounced. In the top three, certainly, of any Leeuwin chardonnay. |
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Western Australia | 1 | 91 (VN) |
In Bond
£312.00 |
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Vinous (91)Shiraz is on the move in Margaret River as evidenced by this delightful release from the 2019 Art Series. It offers up sensational aromas of mulberry, blackberry, clove and white pepper with some stalky notes providing a tantalising start. There is plenty of fleshy fruit flavour as well with jube and fruits pastilles with a dusting of toasted cloves. A supple finish only adds to immediate drinkability as does fine length. |
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Western Australia | 1 | 93 (WA) |
In Bond
£250.00 |
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Wine Advocate (93)Has been through a few subtle iterations in recent years and this one reverts to a previous style which is more generous and immediately flavoursome. Has a creamy texture with a light lemon curd and peachy stone fruit all held with deliberate restraint to give it that extra polish and classy dimension. |
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