{"api":{"host":"https:\/\/pinot.decanter.com","authorization":"Bearer NzNmMTgyY2E3YjBiMGFmYzg5NjlkZTc1MTFhZGVkYWIzNzEwMzU2MWYyMmViMmExN2Y0MThiNjI0MTJkNDFlMg","version":"2.0"},"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"6qv8OniKQO","rid":"RJXC8OC","offerId":"OFPHMJWYB8UK","offerTemplateId":"OFPHMJWYB8UK","wcTemplateId":"OTOW5EUWVZ4B"}}

PREMIUM

Leeuwin Estate: producer profile and 22 wines tasted

One of the early pioneers of Western Australia's Margaret River wine region, Leeuwin Estate quickly became famous for its now iconic Art Series Chardonnay, after being ranked top in a Decanter tasting 40 years ago. Sarah Ahmed takes a look at the portfolio and reviews 22 wines, including the new Art Series releases of 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. 2019 Chardonnay and Shiraz and 2021 Riesling.

Leeuwin Estate planted Margaret River’s first Chardonnay in 1976, swiftly becoming synonymous with the variety. Two parcels planted to the Gin Gin clone, Block 20 and 22, still produce the winery’s iconic Art Series Chardonnay today.

And from those nascent plantings, it didn’t take long for the wine to make a name for itself. The 1981 vintage – just the second release of Leeuwin Estate’s Art Series Chardonnay – was ranked top in a Decanter international Chardonnay blind tasting.

It was a remarkable result, particularly as Leeuwin Estate was a cattle farm when entrepreneurs Denis and John Horgan bought it in 1969. Not only were vines a relative unknown, so was the Margaret River wine region.


Scroll down for Sarah Ahmed’s tasting notes of 22 Leeuwin Estate wines



Leeuwin Estate: Sarah Ahmed tastes four recent releases and 18 back vintages


You might also like…

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay: bucking trends

Cape Mentelle: 50 years of Margaret River Cabernet

Tasting Cullen Wines’ flagship Cabernets and Chardonnays

McHenry Hohnen: 19 wines from Hazel’s Vineyard

Latest Wine News