Leeuwin Estate Sparkling Brut 2022

Region and Vineyards

The Margaret River region, situated in Western Australia, is renowned for its mild maritime climate, which fosters ideal conditions for premium sparkling wine production. Leeuwin Estate sources the fruit for its Brut 2022 from its home block vineyards, where precise viticulture ensures the highest quality fruit.

The 2022 vintage featured a growing season of consistent weather, allowing for the gentle ripening of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. These grapes were carefully handpicked at optimal maturity to retain their natural acidity and bright fruit flavors.

Winemaking

The Leeuwin Estate Sparkling Brut 2022 was produced using the traditional method, ensuring finesse and complexity. After gentle pressing to extract the finest juice, the Chardonnay was partially fermented in older oak barrels, while the Pinot Noir was fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness.

Following fermentation, the base wines were blended, lightly fined, and cold stabilized before undergoing tirage in October 2022. Secondary fermentation occurred in the bottle, where the wine remained on lees for an extended maturation period until disgorgement in April 2024, achieving depth and a fine bead.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale gold with a fine, persistent bead.
• Aroma: Vibrant notes of grapefruit, red delicious apple, and finger lime, complemented by layers of cinnamon, cardamom, lime curd, and toasted brioche.
• Palate: Fresh and lively with flavors of nectarine skin, nashi pear, and a delicate citrus thread. The mid-palate evolves with hints of apple, lemon rind, and fennel, leading to a slaty, mineral-laced acidity and a chalky finish.

Did You Know?

The traditional method used for the 2022 Leeuwin Estate Brut mirrors the techniques employed in the finest Champagnes, ensuring the development of complex flavors and a fine, persistent mousse.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Fresh oysters with mignonette sauce: The wine’s minerality and citrus notes enhance the brininess of the oysters.
• Goat cheese tart with caramelized onions: The creamy texture and savory-sweet flavors pair perfectly with the wine’s acidity and fine bead.
• Grilled prawns with lemon butter: The citrus-driven palate complements the seafood’s delicate sweetness.
• Almond biscotti: The wine’s toasted brioche and nutty undertones resonate beautifully with this dessert’s crunch and almond flavor.

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.