'I have over the years tasted every Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay and I rate the 2015 the greatest. It is the first white wine I have awarded 99 points.'
- Ray Jordan, June 2018, The West Australian
Margaret River wines are all about purity of fruit and structure, with the bright sunlight and warmth being tempered by cool, southern ocean air. These elements combine with the sandy, granitic soils to make this far south west corner of Australia ideal for the production of top quality wines.
Founded in the second half of the twentieth century, the potential of Leeuwin was spotted by Robert Mondavi, one of the wine world's most influential figures. He also mentored the Horgan family in their early days of converting cattle ranch to vineyard, but since then they have turned Leeuwin into one of the most complete expressions of Margaret River life, in both wine and cultural senses. The original vineyard block produces Art Series Chardonnay, which since the early 1980s has become one of Australia's flagship whites. They planted an awkward, low-yielding US clone of Chardonnay, which gives the fruit intensity in tiny quantities. And their other wines aren't too shabby either.
We've worked with Leeuwin a lot over the years and long ago realised that while the Art Series Chardonnay is an icon, held in the same esteem as Grange and Hill of Grace, it can overshadow the other wines. The other Art Series labels - always created in collaboration with important Aboriginal artists - hold huge interest and are often available with a bit of age, while the Prelude wines are super enjoyable a little younger. This is an estate whose team has one eye on how their wines will be viewed in the future and total focus on drinking pleasure. /CW
Offered subject to remaining unsold; for shipment Spring 2019
To place an order, click on the wine name below or call 020 7638 5998
