Winemaker Notes
A concentrated and dark nose displaying dense blackcurrants and dark cherries. Heightened floral notes of violets and bay leaf diligently combine with savory spice notes of black cardamom, anise, clove and cumin. There is an evident undernote of graphite and flint, providing a very detailed nose.Intensity and density pairs with purity and elegance. Predominately a blackcurrant thread on the palate, there is so much offering in layers. Bold, rich and contoured primary fruits engage with bright, almost mineral acidity, contoured with olive tapenade, iodine and sage. The tannins are silky, finely polishing the shape and finish on the palate.
Blend: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesA complex and layered nose of blackcurrants, fresh mint, pine cone and red licorice. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, structured tannins. Succulent and well constructed with a solid core of black fruit. Leafy herbs and black tea character add welcome depth. Delicious. So attractive right now but will age wonderfully. 97% cabernet sauvignon and 3% malbec.
This is a sturdy, plush vintage of Art Series with a long life ahead of it. It’s a touch austere at the moment, with some sweet oak showing and pinched acidity, but the distinctive varietal and regional character still shines. A lovely, warming earthy spice backs sleek aromas of black cherry, cassis, cedar, mint, olive brine and sea spray. Tannins are spicy and sinewy, muscular but still in a supportive role, allowing the juicy fruit to star. Best After 2023. Cellar Selection.
Dense and wonderfully juicy, with the tannic structure drawing you into a mix of intense cassis, huckleberry, clove, chai tea, dried black olive and smoked paprika. Presents a pretty thread of dried rose petal, with dried herbs lingering on the long, expressive finish.
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.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.