Leeuwin Estate Art Series Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Region and Vineyards

The Margaret River region in Western Australia is known for its maritime climate, which provides ideal conditions for producing structured and expressive white wines like Sauvignon Blanc. The growing season began with a mild winter, followed by a dry and warm summer. These conditions allowed for an earlier-than-usual harvest, ensuring bright acidity and concentrated flavors in the fruit. Margaret River’s unique terroir, influenced by gravelly soils and coastal breezes, contributes to the wine’s vibrancy, finesse, and characteristic minerality.

Leeuwin Estate’s Sauvignon Blanc is harvested during the cooler early mornings to retain the delicate fruit flavors and acidity. The vineyards, carefully managed to capture the essence of the terroir, produce grapes that exhibit pure citrus and floral notes, complemented by subtle tropical hints. The combination of Margaret River’s soil and climate results in a Sauvignon Blanc that is both intense and refined, embodying the region’s commitment to quality.

Winemaking

The Sauvignon Blanc grapes were gently crushed and pressed, with the juice cold-settled to enhance clarity and precision in the wine. Following racking, 30% of the juice was fermented in one-year-old French oak barriques to introduce complexity, while the remaining portion fermented in stainless steel to retain fresh fruit characteristics. The barrel-fermented portion was aged on lees for 4 months with fortnightly batonnage, creating a subtle, textured profile.

This blend of oak and tank fermentation was then combined, lightly fined, and filtered before bottling. The result is a wine with 13% alcohol, 7.14 g/L acidity, and a pH of 3.11, offering a balanced expression of brightness and structure, with the added depth from its time in oak.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale straw with hints of green, reflecting freshness.
• Aroma: Intense notes of jasmine, kaffir lime, and daisy, complemented by layers of lemon, lime, guava, and subtle elements of pistachio and cardamom.
• Palate: Fresh and zesty with flavors of grapefruit, lemon, and native lime, complemented by a textured finish. A savory nuance and mineral undertones lead to a long, talc-like finish.

Did You Know?

The Art Series by Leeuwin Estate is celebrated not only for its wine quality but also for its distinctive labels featuring original artwork by prominent Australian artists. Each bottle is a blend of winemaking and artistic expression, making it a collector’s item.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Ceviche de poisson avec citron vert et coriandre : La fraîcheur du vin accentue les saveurs vives du ceviche.
• Salade de fenouil et d’agrumes : L’acidité et les arômes floraux du vin complètent les agrumes et la texture croquante du fenouil.
• Fromage de chèvre frais : Les notes citronnées et la minéralité du vin équilibrent la douceur et l’acidité du chèvre.
• Sushis et sashimis : La pureté du vin met en valeur les saveurs délicates des poissons crus.

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.