Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2019

Region and Vineyards

Margaret River, located in Western Australia, is recognized for its cool, maritime climate ideal for growing Chardonnay. The 2019 vintage saw a mild winter with steady rainfall, ensuring that the unirrigated vineyards were well-prepared for ripening. Warm days and cooler nights allowed the grapes to achieve perfect phenolic ripeness while preserving their natural acidity, key for producing structured, age-worthy wines.

The gravelly soils over clay and granite provide excellent drainage and contribute a mineral edge to the Chardonnay. This terroir, along with Margaret River’s long ripening season, allows for complex flavor development in the fruit, which reflects in the layers of citrus, minerality, and texture in the wine.

Winemaking

The 2019 Art Series Chardonnay is crafted from 100% Chardonnay, sourced from meticulously managed vineyards. The grapes were gently de-stemmed with brief skin contact before being settled. Fermentation took place entirely in new French oak barriques, with a portion of the barrels undergoing natural fermentation, adding depth and complexity. The lees were stirred regularly during the 11-month maturation period, contributing texture and richness to the wine.

Once matured, the wine was carefully blended, fined, and cold stabilized before bottling, resulting in a Chardonnay with balanced acidity, a polished texture, and great aging potential. With an alcohol content of 13.5%, 7.50 g/L of acidity, and a pH of 3.18, this vintage has a bright yet layered profile.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale straw with a light golden hue, showcasing elegance.
• Aroma: Aromatic notes of lime curd, lemon zest, poached pear, and white nectarine, layered with star jasmine and ginger.
• Palate: Bright and energetic, with flavors of lemon and lime balanced by mineral acidity, complemented by subtle notes of oyster shell, hazelnut, and flint.

Did You Know?

The Art Series Chardonnay from Leeuwin Estate gained international acclaim with its 1980 vintage, marking it as one of Australia’s most celebrated Chardonnays. Each Art Series bottle features artwork from Australian artists, making it a collector’s item.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Lobster with Lemon Butter Sauce: The wine’s acidity and citrus notes enhance the richness of the lobster.
• Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon: The layered flavors and acidity balance the savory and zesty tagine.
• Aged Gruyère or Comté Cheese: The wine’s structure and mineral notes pair well with the nuttiness of these cheeses.
• Sushi and Sashimi: The purity and precision of the wine complement the delicate flavors of raw fish.

History of Leeuwin Estate

The history of Leeuwin Estate is marked by a visionary transformation. In 1972, Californian wine icon Robert Mondavi visited the Horgan family’s cattle farm in Margaret River and identified it as prime vineyard land. Inspired by Mondavi’s advice, Denis and Tricia Horgan reimagined the property and established Leeuwin Estate with a commitment to crafting exceptional wines. By 1980, Leeuwin released its first vintage of Art Series Chardonnay, quickly gaining international acclaim when Decanter magazine recognized it among the world’s finest white wines.

Since this remarkable beginning, Leeuwin Estate has grown under the guidance of two generations of the Horgan family. The Art Series wines, particularly the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, consistently receive high ratings and awards, helping to establish Margaret River as a premier wine region. Today, Leeuwin remains a family-owned winery where the second generation, including Justin Horgan and Simone Furlong, have taken on leading roles, ensuring that Mondavi’s legacy of quality endures.

Region and Vineyards

Located in Western Australia’s Margaret River region, Leeuwin Estate benefits from a unique maritime climate characterized by warm days and cool nights, which allows for a gradual, balanced ripening process. This climate is especially beneficial for white varieties like Chardonnay, allowing for a fine balance between fruit intensity and refreshing acidity. The estate’s vineyards feature gravelly, sandy loam soils over granite, which offer excellent drainage and a mineral complexity that enhances the structure and finesse of the wines.

One of the estate’s prized blocks, Block 20, is home to the Gin Gin clone Chardonnay vines. This clone, now over 25 years old, is renowned for its vibrant acidity and concentrated varietal flavors, contributing to the signature intensity of Leeuwin’s wines. The vineyards are managed with minimal intervention, allowing the unique terroir of Margaret River to shine through each vintage. Additionally, the proximity to the Indian Ocean brings cooling breezes, which help to preserve the natural acidity of the grapes, further enhancing the wine’s elegance and complexity.

Wine Range

Leeuwin Estate offers a distinguished portfolio across three distinct ranges:

• Art Series: Known for its complexity and aging potential, the Art Series includes flagship wines like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Riesling. These wines are also celebrated for their unique labels, each adorned with original artwork by prominent Australian artists.
• Prelude Vineyards: This range, focused on Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, offers expressive, fruit-forward wines suitable for earlier drinking yet crafted with balance and depth.
• Siblings Range: This approachable collection features styles such as Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz, crafted in honor of the Horgan family’s second generation.

Did You Know?

The Art Series Chardonnay has achieved “Exceptional” status in Langton’s Classification, Australia’s most prestigious wine ranking. Additionally, the estate hosts annual concerts in its vineyards, drawing music and wine lovers alike to experience this unique fusion of culture and nature.