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Leeuwin Estate was purchased by Perth businessman
Denis Horgan in the Margaret River region with a view to utilising it for
cattle grazing. That was in 1969, but 3 years later Robert Mondavi
visited the farm and immediately spotted the potential for wine production.
The farm quickly assumed the mantle of Australia's finest Chardonnay
producer, and its Cabernet Sauvignon, which comes from 'Houghton clone'
vines planted on sandy gravel, became one of Western Australia's most
sought-after reds. Cabernet had been introduced to Margaret River in the
early 1800's, but by the 1970's nearly all the vineyards were planted
with a generic clone bought over from South Australia, that was
high yielding. A few cuttings from the old vine stock were planted
in the 1930's in the tiny 1.6 hectare Houghton Block. Clones from
these vines, although lower yielding, produce more intense wines, and are
now planted in the top Margaret River vineyards.
Lovely
freshness, showing ripe but present fine-grained tannins in this outstanding
Margaret River Cabernet vintage. Classy and controlled.
Sarah Ahmed, Decanter
In the 1990's Leeuwin then went out on a limb, and planted Shiraz in
their Peppy Park Vineyard, 20 kilometers to the south of the
main estate, which was seen as a bit radical for cool climate Margaret
River. The wine is made in a completely different style to that
of a McLaren Vale or Barossa Shiraz, perhaps more similar to that
of the Rhone, with fruit and aromatics in place of raw power.
The estate picks each parcel individually and a small amount of Malbec is
added to both the Cabernet and Shiraz to add a softer texture and richer
mouthfeel.
Grounded
yet ethereal. Determined yet open. Muscled tight yet fluid. Extraordinary
ying-yang balance of opposite but complementary forces.
Tamlyn Currin, for JancisRobinson
Yet to be reviewed by the major international critics, the early reviews
are very positive. Little wonder, as these Margaret River wines are
superb, and Leeuwin is going from strength to strength!
2018 Leeuwin
Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon @ £450 per 12 bottles
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/chocolatey tannins and perfectly integrated cedar oak. A superb
grainy firm finish and mineral length. A great Leeuwin Estate Cabernet.
99pt, Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal
Elegant,
medium-bodied, with cardamom and dried herb hints to the bitter
chocolate-edged blackcurrant fruit, with suggestions of riper cassis.
Lovely freshness, showing ripe but present fine-grained tannins in this
outstanding Margaret River Cabernet vintage. Classy and controlled.
Bordelaise-coopered French oak barriques discreetly buff and extend the
fruit on a tapered finish, with cigar box and cedar resonance to the back
palate.
95pt, Sarah Ahmed, Decanter
2019 Leeuwin Estate Art
Series Shiraz @
£270 per 12 bottles
A
20 per cent inclusion of whole bunch fermentation has played a strong
hand in elevating this beautiful example of the quality of the 2019
vintage. It has such life and vibrancy and that is largely due to that
whole bunch inclusion. Brilliant, bright colour with hues of crimson and
purple on the fringes. The palate is in that medium zone, with an
effortlessly graceful ease about it. Spicy and perfumed with a mix of
cherry and plum. Oak, which is a mix of one, two and new oaks, is
brilliantly managed to gently coax all that is good from this variety.
Love the mouth feel and the long, focused chalky feel in the mouth.
96pt, Ray
Jordan, The West Australian
This
smells so good: fresh black pepper (so fresh it’s like peppercorns
straight from the drying mats). Deep, delicious, meaty sweet fruit.
Violets, daphne with a blue-purple-fruited lusciousness and yet the wine
is, at the same time, dry and savoury. Grounded yet ethereal. Determined
yet open. Muscled tight yet fluid. Extraordinary ying-yang balance of opposite
but complementary forces.
17.5/20, Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com
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... and finally we are thrilled to offer a small parcel of the latest release of their outstanding 2019 Chardonnay. In 2019 there were perfect growing conditions and Leeuwin took full advantage. This is a stunning wine that can be enjoyed in its youth or cellared for 20+ years.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to secure yourself some of Australia's finest.
2019 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay @ £750 per 12 bottles
Best price in the market!
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.
99pt, Ray Jordan
Preservation of pristine fruit characters through vinification and maturation remains at the heart of winemaking. This of course starts in the vineyard where observations, reaction and mitigation of environmental patterns are key to vineyard management practices. The vineyard blocks have a north facing aspects and the rows run in an east-west direction. The morphology of the Gingin clone sees the berries ripen differently. The smaller berries usually possess slightly higher sugars and acidity. Vintage takes place in mid-February to early March and the grapes (about 2-3 kilos per vine) are hand-harvested when they have reached a point of ‘energy, bone and pop!’ This translates to intense pure fruit aromas, richness of flavour, fine al dente textures and fresh indelible acidity. These are the hallmark qualities of Gingin clone chardonnay. I have often wondered at the clone’s provenance and passing resemblance to Meursault. Pale colour. Intense lemon curd, grapefruit, peach, tropical fruit aromas with underlying roasted cashew/ hazel nut notes. Lovely grapefruit, lemon curd, tropical fruits, fine persistent chalky textures, attractive mid plate volume and fresh long indelible acidity. Finishes al dente, with savoury oak note. Still elemental but wonderfully balanced with the fruit density and torque to last the distance. Now – 2036." 98+pt, Andrew Caillard Master of Wine, The Vintage Journal
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