Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2009
- WS
- RP
- WE
- RP
- JH
- WS
- JS
- RP
- JH
- D
- WS
- W&S
- WE
- RP
- WS
- JS
- V
- RP
- D
- WS
- JS
- WE
- W&S
- D
- WS
- WE
- JS
- RP
- JS
- D
- WS
- WS
- RP
- WW
- JS
- WE
- D
- JS
- WE
- WS
- RP
- WS
- RP
- W&S
- JS
- WS
- RP
- RP
- WS
- RP
- WS
- WE
- RP
- W&S
- WS
- RP
- RP
- WS
- W&S
- CG
- WS
- WS
- WS
- WS
- RP
- WS
- WS
- W&S
- WS
Winemaker Notes
Subtle layers of complexity are conveyed in the form of lifted floral notes of pear blossom and jasmine, combining with savory toasted sesame and cashew.
On the palate, a gentle and restrained entry shows great poise. Purity and clarity of fruit is underpinned with lively pear, grapefruit and lime flesh. The mid-palate is textural with slight creaminess and generous with concentrated fruit. The degree of width through to the back palate is balanced with a fine line of natural acidity formulating enviable length.
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesRating: 93+
In 1972, legendary Napa Valley winemaker, Robert Mondavi, first identified the future site of the Leeuwin vineyard as being ideal for the production of premium wine and provided early mentorship to owners, Denis and Tricia Horgan in the establishment of Leeuwin Estate. The first vines were planted by hand over a five year period from 1973.
Featuring state-of-the art facilities, the winery building was opened in 1978, celebrating with a trial vintage. Leeuwin enjoyed its first commercial vintage in 1979, and was thrust into the international spotlight when Decanter Magazine gave its highest recommendation to the 1980 "Art Series" Chardonnay in an international blind tasting.
Maintaining a team of highly skilled and dedicated winemakers, Leeuwin Estate is now under the direction of two generations of the founding family.
Home to some of Australia’s most elegant and long-lived red and white wines, Margaret River is situated in the farthest reaches of Western Australia. Relatively warm and dry, the region is cooled by breezes from the Indian Ocean. Margaret River takes some inspiration from Bordeaux, producing top-quality Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux Blends with firm structure, mouthwatering acidity, balanced alcohol and notes of herbs and spice. For white wines, refreshing blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon as well as complex, age-worthy Chardonnays are regional specialties.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.