Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2020

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2020

 

Zoom Mouse over image to zoom
Leeuwin Estate
Art Series Chardonnay 2020
  • Vintage : 2020
  • Country : Australia
  • Region : Margaret River
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Creamy Full Bodied White
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Chardonnay

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2020 is an exemplary Margaret River Chardonnay, offering depth, minerality, and a precise structure. With notes of citrus, stone fruit, and subtle oak, this wine embodies finesse and vibrancy.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 98 2020
DCT Decanter 98 2020
JS James Suckling 97 2020
WE Wine Enthusiast 95 2020
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Margaret River, in Western Australia, is known for its ideal conditions for Chardonnay, with a cool, maritime climate that enables grapes to develop slowly, retaining acidity and enhancing aromatic depth. The 2020 growing season began with a wet winter, providing ample water reserves, followed by a warm, sunny spring that led to an early budburst for Chardonnay. Mild temperatures during the ripening season allowed for extended hang time, producing fruit with notable natural acidity and fruit intensity.

The diverse sites at Leeuwin Estate contribute to a complex expression in each vintage. The region’s gravelly soils, combined with the cooling breezes from the Indian Ocean, support the vibrant acidity and minerality that define the Art Series Chardonnay.

Winemaking

The 2020 Art Series Chardonnay was crafted from 100% Chardonnay. The cool, destemmed fruit was combined with select whole-bunch pressed parcels, with the juice settled for 12 to 36 hours. The juice was 100% barrel-fermented in new French oak barriques to build texture and complexity. The lees were stirred regularly throughout the 11-month aging period, enhancing mouthfeel and depth.

After maturation, the wine components were blended, fined, and cold-stabilized before bottling. The result is a Chardonnay with a balanced profile, expressing vibrant fruit flavors with a textured finish.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Pale straw with a golden hue, showing depth.
  • Aroma: Aromatic layers of lemon curd, nashi pear, and citrus blossom, with nuances of vanilla, flint, and tea leaf.
  • Palate: Focused and precise, with juicy white peach, pear, and a saline mineral finish, characteristic of the vintage.

Did You Know?

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay first gained international recognition with its 1980 vintage, establishing it as one of Australia’s premier Chardonnays. The Art Series line is known for its labels featuring Australian art, making each bottle collectible.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Lobster Thermidor: The wine’s acidity and citrus notes enhance the richness of lobster and creamy sauces, balancing and brightening the dish.
  • Roast Chicken with Truffle Butter: The mineral and flinty notes resonate with the earthiness of truffle, while the Chardonnay’s vibrant acidity complements the chicken’s savory flavors.
  • Scallops with Lemon Zest and Thyme: The bright, citrus-driven palate complements scallops’ sweetness, while the oak influence matches their caramelized crust.
  • Risotto with Aged Parmesan and White Asparagus: The Chardonnay’s texture harmonizes with the creaminess of the risotto, and the saline finish accentuates the Parmesan’s umami depth.

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.

Robert Parker (RP) : 98 Points (2020)
The 2020 vintage in Margaret River was moderate to warm and will be forever remembered for the incredibly compacted harvest period, which started two weeks earlier than the 2019 harvest before it and was all wrapped up by Easter—that's largely unheard of. The 2020 Art Series Chardonnay leads with power and density, not unlike the 2018 before it. Tight and green in the glass, you get salted pear, white peach, nectarine, red apple skins, preserved citrus and crushed shell. The wine has minerality and tension within the confines of the opulent fruit. Staggering length, as usual. The winemaking remains relatively consistent across the years: hand-picked fruit from Block 20 and 22 (planted in 1976 and 1978, respectively). Thirty percent of the cuvée was whole bunch pressed to 100% new Burgundian oak, while the balance was destemmed, crushed and pressed to 100% new Bordelais oak. Sulfured post-ferment in order to discourage malolactic fermentation, both components remain in barrel for 11 months. Super wine.

Decanter (DCT) : 98 Points (2020)
This vintage is a triumph, with firm fruit surrounded by a rigid suit of armor that compresses its flanks and ratchets up the drama. This adds immeasurable length to the flavor without any diminuendo in power or persistence. The fruit is cradled with beautiful blonde oak and shot through with sublime pith and herb details allowing the flavors to transcend expectation.

James Suckling (JS) : 97 Points (2020)
A wine that tells the story of chardonnay's evolution in Margaret River and remains at the top of its game because it's a pure expression of place as much as the producer. It’s refreshing, classy and superfine, the acidity reining everything in and towards an outrageously long finish. Mesmerising. *Gold* (JF) (8/2023)

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 95 Points (2020)
Vibrant lemon, honeydew melon, salty sea shell and toast open this unmistakably Margaret River Chard. A mineral streak of saline acidity crackles through the middle of the rich, textural mouthfeel, streamlining and providing refreshment amid the toast and lees characters. An impressive wine that deftly demonstrates this classic producer’s—as well as this region’s—Chardonnay prowess.

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Riesling 2022
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Riesling 2022
Leeuwin Estate
Art Series Riesling 2022
RP
92
JS
92
WE
92
Known for its finesse, Art Series Riesling combines intense aromatics with a quartz-like texture, making it a quintessential choice for lovers of structured, mineral Rieslings.
23,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz 2022
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz 2022
Leeuwin Estate
Art Series Shiraz 2022
RP
95
DCT
95
JS
93
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz is a captivating expression of Margaret River's terroir, blending structure, elegance, and complexity into a seamless wine experience. Crafted with meticulous precision, this Shiraz is enhanced with small amounts of Viognier and Malbec, adding vibrancy and depth.
37,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2019
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2019
Leeuwin Estate
Art Series Chardonnay 2019
WS
95
RP
98
JH
98
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2019 is a benchmark Chardonnay from Margaret River, displaying complex layers of citrus, stone fruit, and subtle mineral notes, with a refined, structured finish.
105,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Leeuwin Estate
Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
RP
95
JH
97
WE
94
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon is a meticulously crafted wine, embodying the elegance and complexity of Margaret River's terroir. Its floral aromatics, dark fruit intensity, and silky tannins make it a standout vintage in the Art Series collection.
62,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Leeuwin Estate
Art Series Sauvignon Blanc 2022
RP
94
This 100% Sauvignon Blanc highlights the finesse and purity typical of the Art Series collection, combining expressive aromas with a textured, lively palate.
34,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Leeuwin Estate Prelude Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Leeuwin Estate Prelude Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Leeuwin Estate
Prelude Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
JH
95
WE
92
JS
92
Leeuwin Estate Prelude Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is a vibrant expression of Margaret River’s terroir, blending dark fruits with herbal nuances and fine, structured tannins.
35,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Leeuwin Estate Siblings Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Leeuwin Estate Siblings Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Leeuwin Estate
Siblings Sauvignon Blanc 2022
RP
92
JH
90
JS
90
Leeuwin Estate Siblings Sauvignon Blanc is a fresh, lively expression from Margaret River, combining vibrant citrus with herbal complexity, perfect for those seeking a refreshing yet layered white.
23,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Leeuwin Estate Siblings Shiraz 2020
Leeuwin Estate Siblings Shiraz 2020
Leeuwin Estate
Siblings Shiraz 2020
WS
88
WS
89
JH
92
Leeuwin Estate Siblings Shiraz is an exciting expression of Margaret River, bursting with vibrant fruit and subtle floral notes that make it a captivating wine from the first sip to the last.
25,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Leeuwin Estate Sparkling Brut 2022
Leeuwin Estate Sparkling Brut 2022
Leeuwin Estate
Sparkling Brut 2022
Leeuwin Estate Sparkling Brut is a delicate and refined sparkling wine, showcasing the elegance of Margaret River’s terroir. Crafted in the traditional method, it offers a perfect harmony of citrus vibrancy and mineral complexity.
50,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
105,00 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
We also suggest...
Australia
95 Robert Parker
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz 2022
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz 2022
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz is a captivating expression of Margaret River's terroir, blending structure, elegance, and complexity into a seamless wine experience. Crafted with meticulous precision, this Shiraz is enhanced with small amounts of Viognier and Malbec, adding vibrancy and depth.
Art Series Shiraz 2022
37,90 €
Australia
99 James Suckling
Jim Barry The Armagh 2018
Jim Barry The Armagh 2018
Jim Barry’s The Armagh 2018 is a collector’s wine with exceptional concentration and poise, embodying the strength and elegance of Clare Valley’s terroir.
The Armagh 2018
269,00 €
New Zealand
97 James Suckling
Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay 2020
Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay 2020
Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay is a standout expression of New Zealand Chardonnay, offering richness and elegance with its vibrant fruit character and well-integrated oak. It represents the epitome of single-vineyard winemaking from Kumeu River’s celebrated Coddington Vineyard.
Coddington Chardonnay 2020
46,90 €
South Africa
93 Wine Spectator
Sadie Family Palladius 2020
Sadie Family Palladius 2020
Sadie Family Palladius 2020 is a compelling white blend from 17 Swartland vineyards, crafted from an intricate combination of Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, and other Mediterranean varieties. It offers a dynamic balance of citrus brightness, mineral depth, and a richly textured structure.
Palladius 2020
115,00 €
Greece
Giannikos Winery Pegasus 2020
Giannikos Winery Pegasus 2020
Pegasus 2020
31,50 €
South Africa
92 Robert Parker
Bouchard Finlayson Missionvale Chardonnay 2022
Bouchard Finlayson Missionvale Chardonnay 2022
Made from 100% estate-grown Chardonnay, this wine exhibits a harmony of ripe fruit, delicate citrus, and a hint of oak, making it a standout Cape Chardonnay.
Missionvale Chardonnay 2022
35,00 €