Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay Margaret River 2004

The complex nose is typical Leeuwin, with lifted aromas of dried pear and ripe peach accompanied by hints of cashews and integrated French oak. This finely balanced bouquet is the result of low-yielding vines, premium quality oak and gentle winemaking techniques to preserve the richness of the fruit. Intense flavors of dried pears and citrus are evident on the palate, with richness from regular lees stirring during maturation. New French oak is in perfect harmony with the powerful fruit, adding complexity and structure wihtout overpowering the delicate subtleties. The finish, always a read more...feature of Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay, is long and full-flavored. Smooth, round and polished, balanced with lively acidity. A generous mouthful of gooseberry-accented apple and cream flavors, beautifully integrated and long on the finish. Has integrity and depth. Should develop well with bottle age. Drink now through 2016. -Wine Spectator    (hide)

"Light gold. Intensely mineral aromas of iodine-accented peach, melon, anise, marzipan and nougat. Lush, expansive and powerful stone fruit and melon flavors really stain the palate, picking up licorice and citrus pith notes on the back. This is

January 2009

James Halliday rating: 96

document.getElementById("NoProductImage").innerHTML = ""; James Halliday 97 points!"The fruit literally sings- appropriate given Leeuwin's annual concerts white peach- nectarine and grapefruit are the sopranos- barrel ferment and mlf the orchestra behind- the result seamless but synergistic." James Halliday- Australian Wine Companion 2008 Leeuwin Estate "Leeuwin Estate's Chardonnay is- in my opinion- Australia's finest example- based on the wines of the last 20-odd vintages- and it is this wine alone that demands a read more...5-star rating for the winery. The Cabernet Sauvignon can be an excellent wine with great style and character in warmer vintages- and Shiraz made an auspicious debut. Almost inevitably- the other wines in the portfolio are not in the same Olympian class- although the Prelude Chardonnay and Siblings Sauvignon Blanc are impressive at their lower price level." James Halliday Leeuwin Estate Art Series ChardonnayWhen Penfolds began to create a white wine of the stature and image of Grange- several people asked why they didn't just buy Leeuwin Estate. Arguably Australia's leading white wine- Leeuwin's chardonnay is an explosive mouthful of concentrated- creamy Margaret River chardonnay enhanced with excellent oak. It's our best cellaring chardonnay as well. Jeremy Oliver Purchased by Trish and Denis Horgan- Leeuwin Estate lies just south of the Margaret River township. The Art Series Block 20 vineyard lies on deeply weathered and laterised soils with rocky outcrops of gneiss and ironstone gravels. Pristine Chardonnay fruit characters are preserved throughout vinification. The wine is 100% barrel fermented in selected new French oak and matured in the same barrel for approximately 12 months. These are rare- long-lived- fine-boned Chardonnays with superb fruit definition and clarity. They show a balance between exuberant fruit and savoury complexity. The palate is creamy yet a fine bead of acid cuts a swathe across the palate giving life and incredible length. It develops beautifully with grapefruit/melon aromas and complex lanolin nuances. Andrew Caillard MW    (hide)

October 2008

Wine Spectator rating: 94

November 2008

International Wine Cellar rating: 94