Winemaker Notes
Lifted and fragrant with an abundance of white nectarines, lime curd, Nashi pears and baby peaches. Heightened with notes of jasmine, lemon blossom and camomile tea leaves. Nuances of cashews, blanched almonds and rice wafers combine with brioche and mealy notes lying beneath. The palate is bright with great concentration, purity and clarity, whilst maintaining focus and definition. An introduction of grapefruit, lemon wedges and pear lead to a delicately textured, layered and woven palate with a creamy, baked apple and brioche feature with diligent oak and subtle texture. The layered and contoured mid palate is finely checked with mineral acid thread.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Delicious chardonnay with cooked-apple, lemon and pear character, as well as hints of cream. Full bodied, layered and flavorful. All here. Drink now. Screw cap.
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Wine Enthusiast
The year 2017 saw a change in chief winemaker for only the third time in Leeuwin’s history: Tim Lovett. There are minor differences in winemaking, but overall quality hasn’t wavered. The Prelude range is an excellent intro to this iconic Margaret River label. The Chard wraps up grilled peach and pineapple, lemon curd, sea salt and vanilla bean neatly into a bundle of crystalline acidity, creamy texture and toasty oak, gently nodding toward Burgundy along the way. Drink now–2028 and likely longer.
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Wine Spectator
Fragrant, with peppery white flower notes and orange zest details to the intense and juicy core of apricot and guava flavors. The refreshing finish showcases generous acidity and hints of lime juice. Drink now through 2029.
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.
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.