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History

Leeuwin Estate is one of the founding wineries of the now famous Margaret River district.

Family owned, Leeuwin Estate, one of the five founding wineries of the now famous Margaret River district of Western Australia, is under the direction of two generations who work with a team of highly skilled winemakers to consistently produce wines ranking alongside the world’s finest. In 1972, legendary Napa Valley winemaker, Robert Mondavi, identified the future site of the Leeuwin vineyard as being ideal for the production of premium wine and provided early mentorship to Denis and Tricia Horgan in the transformation of their cattle farm into Leeuwin Estate. Enjoying its first commercial vintage in 1979, Leeuwin was thrust into the international spotlight when Decanter Magazine gave its highest recommendation to the 1981 “Art Series” Chardonnay.

The international accolades have continued and Leeuwin now exports to 30 markets. The prestigious Langton’s Classification of Australian wine includes Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay in the top “Exceptional” category and amongst the iconic “Heritage five” celebrating Australia’s most exceptional, ground-breaking wines, whilst Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon is classified as “Outstanding”. Leeuwin Estate has been included in US ‘Wine & Spirits’ Magazine’s Hall of Fame in the category of ‘International Wineries of the Year’ and with point scores as high as 98/100, US ‘Wine Spectator’ has included Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnays amongst the “Top 100 Wines of the Year” on numerous occasions. Leeuwin Estate’s Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon has been a UK ‘Decanter’ Magazine “Top 50 Wine of the Year” and a US ‘Wine & Spirits’ “Top 100 Wine of The Year”, whilst leading Australian wine commentator, James Halliday, includes Leeuwin in his ‘Top 100 Australian Wineries’.

Celebrating the combination of fine wine, food, art and music, Leeuwin features an award winning restaurant, cellardoor and art gallery. The Estate is renowned for staging spectacular events and welcoming visitors from around the world.

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Vineyards

Leeuwin’s vineyards are located in the Margaret River district of Western Australia between Cape Naturaliste in the north and Cape Leeuwin in the South. At a longitude of 115°03`41.03 E and latitude of 34°00`35.35 S, it is one of the most ancient parts of the world, formed when the continent split to produce a 100 kilometre long granitic island between the two capes. Over millennia this granitic island crumbled, and now provides the vignerons of Margaret River with ancient, nutrient rich, free draining gravel soils

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The Leeuwin vineyards are situated on the mid to low slopes of a sequence of rolling hills formed by the dissection of the Boodjidup Brook creek system that drains from east to west and to the Indian Ocean. Spanning from 47m - 85m above sea level, the undulation of the property offers numerous aspects which allow for the production of the primary varieties of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. Hill slopes of the estate face west, north, east and south, with different grape varieties best suited to slopes of a particular orientation. Leeuwin’s old vine Cabernet vineyards face west and northwest producing rich and robust fruit flavours and ripe tannins at harvest. Chardonnay vineyards typically face and perform optimally on lower slopes facing west and northwest. Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, with their delicate flavours and aromas, do best on south and east facing slopes.

 

The Estate’s soils were formed from the decomposition of the underlying Pre Cambrian Granite Gneiss (of the >540 million year old Leeuwin Complex). These free draining soils are typically red brown gravelly sandy loams to sandy clay loams with lateritic iron rich pisolites scattered throughout the soil profile. Soil clay content increases down the profile to red-brown medium clay. The depth to clay subsoil varies across the vineyard but is generally deeper on the hilltops and shallower in the valleys.

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Winemaking

Winemaking is an art as well as a science; the skills of the winemaker carefully combine with technology to produce the wines that have been so highly acclaimed. Broadly following European winemaking techniques, Leeuwin is concentrating on achieving complexity, balance and longevity in its wines through a blend of modern and traditional methods.

Temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, two Butcher pneumatic presses, and a cellar of imported French oak barrels are at the disposal of the winemaker to ensure that the fruit is transformed into the intended style of wine.

 

In recent years, vine age in conjunction with meticulous work in the vineyard, an emphasis on canopy management and focusing on low to moderate yields has enabled increased concentration, balance of fruit flavours and refined tannins in Leeuwin’s red wines. Adopting a more open canopy around the fruit zone with less leaf area, ensures physiological tannin ripeness and a darker fruit spectrum at harvest. The best sites for Leeuwin’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon parcels contain very lean gravelly soils, allowing vine vigour to be naturally controlled, enhancing intensity and tannin profile. Shiraz excels inland within Margaret River, away from the Indian ocean, where night-time temperatures are cooler. The greater diurnal temperature change promotes both varietal spice and fragrance, whilst maintaining the density and richness on the palate.

 

All red parcels are individually berry sorted in the winery, which is a diligent technique that respects and nurtures all the varietal characteristics we taste and observe in the vineyard. A short period of cold soaking prior to primary fermentation in open and closed fermenters, allows all the water-based polyphenols to be released, ultimately stabilising naturally bound colour and tannin found in the skins. Gentle and frequent pumping-over with generous ingression of oxygen, polymerises tannins and begins to construct the varietal layers. Post-ferment maceration, lasting up to two weeks, fine tunes and elongates tannin structure and continues to build mouthfeel. Efficient malo-lactic fermentation in French oak barriques initiates the beginning barrel maturation, with oak derived characters enhancing each parcels complexity and structure.

 

After up to nine months of barrel ageing for the Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, the separate parcels are classified, blended and gravitated to barrels for further maturation in French oak barriques with seasonal rackings. The percentage of new oak is between 30-50% for Art Series and 25-40% for Prelude Vineyards and Siblings, dependent entirely on the fruit content of the wine. New wines, strong in currant and plum flavours, can accept new wood readily and develop sticky-smoky notes during the maturation period. The aim is to submerge the wood flavours into the fruit structure, gradually modifying and softening the raw tannins in the new wine.

 

The withdrawal from wood and the final assemblage depends on how well the wine has developed richness and balance in barrel. It can be up to 28 months for Art Series, 20 months for Prelude Vineyards and no less than 17 months for Siblings. The wine then undergoes minimal filtration before bottling on-site. Once bottled, wines are laid down in the cool storage cellar to mature until they are ready for release.

Leeuwin’s philosophy is to produce red varietals that are true to their site; their sense of place - understanding, respecting and nurturing each varietal from vine to bottle

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Inside information

Leeuwin Estate consistently produces wines that rank with the world’s finest. Under the direction of two generations of the founding family, who work alongside a dedicated team of winemakers, Leeuwin exports to over 30 markets and is proud to be named amongst the great icon wines of the world and be firmly placed on the international stage.

Leeuwin’s Art Series Chardonnay and Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon are included in wine auction house, Langton’s, prestigious classification. With point scores as high as 98/100, US Wine Spectator has included Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnays in the editor’s annual top 100 list on numerous occasions with the 2011 vintage ranked wine #5 in 2015. The Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon has been included in UK Decanter Magazine’s Top 50 wines of the year and as a US WINE & SPIRITS Top 100 wine.

Leading Australian wine commentator, James Halliday, included Leeuwin Estate in his Top 100 Australian Wineries, writing “For long regarded as one of the very greatest producers of chardonnay in the Margaret River, and indeed the whole of Australia: this is one of the proudest family-owned estates in the country.... Leeuwin Estate is not just a chardonnay producer. Its cabernet sauvignon is of very high quality, its shiraz likewise. The second label Prelude Chardonnay is better than many higher-priced wines from other producers, and the Riesling sells out every year...Siblings Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon is yet another string to the Leeuwin bow”.

“...Leeuwin Estate, one of the benchmarks, if not the reference point winery in Margaret River.”

ROBERT PARKER, THE WINE ADVOCATE, OCTOBER 2003

“Leeuwin Estate has always been my choice as Australia’s best maker of chardonnay, its wine a mixture of purity and intensity, with length and balance underwriting its greatness. And it never misses the mark.” JAMES HALLIDAY, HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2021

“An Australian Classic”

WINE SPECTATOR

“For long regarded as one of the very greatest producers of chardonnay in the Margaret River, and indeed the whole of Australia; this is one of the proudest family-owned estates in the country.”
JAMES HALLIDAY’S TOP 100 AUSTRALIAN WINERIES

“Leeuwin demonstrates just how great Australian fine wines can be.”

HARVEY STEIMAN, WINE SPECTATOR

Leeuwin Estate was placed in the company of the world’s most iconic producers with Wine Spectator ranking the 2011 Art Series Chardonnay as wine number 5 in the editor’s prestigious “Top 100 wines of 2014”, from the 18,000+ international wines reviewed during the year.

WINE SPECTATOR (USA), TOP 100 WINES OF 2014

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14 different wines with 53 vintages

Highlights

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Wine Moments

Here you can see wine moments from tastingbook users.    or    to see wine moments from your world.

 Andrew Caillard MW / BWW2024 Finalist, Wine Writer (Australia)  tasted  1 wines  from  Leeuwin Estate . In a tasting of  13 wines 

Vasse Felix Tom Cullity 2018 /Medium deep crimson. Fragrant cassis, dark plum, chinotto aromas with herb garden, aniseed notes. Voluminous blackcurrant, dark plum, blackberry fruits, lovely persistent fine chocolaty textures, superb mid-palate density, fresh juicy acidity and plentiful mocha, espresso oak notes. Finishes chocolaty with plentiful sweet dark fruits and attractive mineral length. Lovely concentration, definition and torque. Should last some distance and keep for a while to let the elements further integrate. An impressive landmark vintage. 78% cabernet sauvignon 17.5% malbec 4.5% petit verdot. Matured in new (59%) and seasoned French oak for 18 months. 98 points

8m 25d ago

 Leeuwin Estate  has updated producer and wine information

11m 8d ago

 James Halliday / BWW2024 Finalist, Wine Writer (Australia)  tasted  1 wines  from  Leeuwin Estate . In a tasting of  6 wines 

Rubicon 2016, the deep garnet-purple colored Cabernet Sauvignon gives up bold notions of crushed red and black currants, wild blueberries and blackberry preserves with touches of violets, dark chocolate, cardamom and bay leaves plus a hint of unsmoked cigars. Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals great elegance and depth, with a beautiful line of finely grained tannins and amazing freshness, finishing long and layered.

1y 9m ago

 Tamlyn Currin, Wine Writer (United Kingdom)  tasted  4 wines  from  Leeuwin Estate . In a tasting of  22 wines 

Torres Mas La Plana 2017 / One of two Penedès reds in the Familia Torres Antologia range (their top five Spanish wines). Tasted from a 37.5-cl sample bottle. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from parcels planted in 1961, 62 and 63 in the middle of the DOP. The first vintage was 1970. The vineyard lies between two rivers, which means that there are two very different soils in the vineyard. On the upper side, a warmer soil, poorer, less organic matter resulting in more concentrated smaller berries, smaller bunches, more tannins, more concentration. The lower side has more alluvial, sandy soil, and the vines are bigger, the berries are bigger, there is less tannin, less concentration, more fruit, more freshness, more acidity. Overall it has a very diverse, deep soil with many layers, moderate water-holding capacity, high calcium carbonate and moderately coarse texture. They have been slowly changing their approach here, with a lot of focus on regenerative viticulture: ‘One of the important things about Torres is the curiosity’. Building wildlife corridors, bird and insect boxes, bee hives, livestock grazing during winter, horse ploughing, natural ponds and the use of electric tractors. They’re making massive investments in building the microbial life of the soil and organic matter. Vintage 2017 was a ‘strict’ year – very dry especially at the end of spring and they had to work the canopy carefully to protect the grapes form the sun. A blend of Cab Sav plots, picked at different times and vinified parcel by parcel. They use oak fermenters for small tannic bunches and stainless steel for the bigger bunches. 15-25 days of skin contact. 18 months in French oak barrels, 60% new. pH 3.4, TA 5.6 g/l. They now use much less new oak, and use bigger containers (foudres of 1,000 to 3,000 litres).
Rich yet refined. Wears its oak like a royal musketeer wears his cloak. Flair and flare, daring and drama but real grace. Muscular yet nimble on its feet. Dark, dark fruit loaded with gunpowder and smoke. Incredibly elegant, despite the power and bravado. You could not get anything more Spanish yet unequivocally Cabernet Sauvignon. 

2y 21d ago

 Erin Larkin / BWW2024 Finalist, Wine Writer (Australia)  tasted  1 wines  from  Leeuwin Estate . In a tasting of  14 wines 

CHATEAU MARGAUX 2017 / 89% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot, 2% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot/ 100% new oak. Red currants, succulent and intense, also sweet… great harmony and choral resonance… I realise I’ve drifted off in my own thoughts with this wine… the flavour lingers so. This is BDX, it is the best wine we’ve had today (this week/month etc) and it is the reason why we seek to make and drink better wine. Holy crapola.

2y 2m ago

 Ken Gargett, Wine Writer (Australia)  tasted  6 wines  from  Leeuwin Estate . In a tasting of  29 wines 

Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 98 points  – The first boutique winery in Australia was Lake’s Folly in the Hunter Valley. Naturally, its wines quickly became ‘must-have’s’ for those few early wine-obsessed drinkers, who helped drive the transformation in the industry from ‘fortified dominant’ and ‘big producers only’ to what we enjoy today. There were others. Stuart Anderson’s Balgownie Estate was a winery where winelovers lucky enough to be on the mailing list would plead for a bottle or two. So too, Mount Mary. Virgin Hills, anyone? From the West, nothing personified ‘cult’ like Moss Wood. 


These days, some have risen and fallen. Others have stayed the course. We have wineries like Wendouree, Giaconda, Torbreck, Cloudburst, Bindi, Clonakilla and others. Indeed, just what makes, and what is, a cult winery today might make a terrific topic. Over to you, editor? 


Moss Wood. It might have been the famous 1982 and 1983 Cabernets from Cape Mentelle which really put Margaret River on the map, but the wines everyone wanted came from the tiny Moss Wood. It would be fair to say that it has had a few ups and downs over the years but in recent vintages, it has been right on its game, especially with its flagship Cabernet Sauvignon. 


Put simply, if you love Cabernet, whether it be from Bordeaux, the Napa, Margaret River or anywhere, Moss Wood Cabs should be on your radar and in your cellar.


The latest, the 2018, continues its recent run of hot form. 92% Cabernet, 4% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, it comes from a year the Mugfords, the caretakers of this wonderful estate, claim is a cracker (well, my words but you know what I mean). To be honest, claims of a great year in Margaret River tend to fall on deaf ears. When isn't it a great year there? The day a MR winemaker tells me they had a shocker, that is when I’ll listen.


One sniff of the black/purple liquid swirling in your glass and you know you are looking at a world class Cabernet. Blackfruits, mulberries, cedar, cigar box, coffee beans, dark chocolate. A wine with balance, intensity, elegance and astonishing length. The silkiest of tannins. A sweet core of floral notes and dark berries. The construction is immaculate but not in any way constraining. Sensational stuff. 


Sure, at around $150 a bottle, it is not cheap but compare it with the big guns from the Napa or First and Second Growth Bordeaux, against which it sits comfortably, and this is a steal. 


I looked at this last night and gave it 97. Today, it is an easy 98. Tomorrow? I’ll never know. 98.

2y 7m ago

 Thomas Girgensohn, Wine Blogger (Australia)  tasted  1 wines  from  Leeuwin Estate . In a tasting of  26 wines 

Guigal La Mouline is always the more feminine wine of the three, and this is true for the 2015 La Mouline. The grapes come from 100 year old vines with very low yields. This Shiraz includes 10% Viognier, and the wine is matured for two years in new oak. There is no whole bunch included. This wine without doubt was the wine of the night. Fragrant, opulent, fresh, elegant, velvety, pure, silky, spicy; this comes to mind rather than any fruit descriptors. This full-bodied wine has incredible length and stays with you for some time (98 points). 

3y 2m ago

 Christer Byklum/ BWW2024 Finalist, Wine Writer (Norway)  tasted  1 wines  from  Leeuwin Estate . In a tasting of  26 wines 

Opus One 2008 / Deep ruby, youthful, cassis, coffee, blueberries. Softer texture, feels very elegant even as it is so young, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, balanced, long length. 94

3y 8m ago

 Julia Harding MW / BWW2024 Finalist, Wine Writer (United Kingdom)  tasted  1 wines  from  Leeuwin Estate . In a tasting of  25 wines 

Henschke Hill of Grace 2004 / 100% Shiraz grapes from pre-phylloxera material brought from Europe by the early settlers in the mid-1800s and grown in the Eden Valley wine region. Matured in 100% new French (50%) and American (50%) hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.
Slightly greyish but deep garnet. Intensely sweet dark cassis fruit plus some cedary leafy notes. Rich and smooth and really plush, generous and silky but also very moreish and juicy. pH 3.6, TA 5.7 g/l,

4y 14d ago

 Juha Lihtonen / The Best Scandinavian Sommelier 2003, Pro (Finland)  tasted  1 wines  from  Leeuwin Estate . In a tasting of  60 wines 

Australia Wine Day 2019 gave a good insight from what is cooking in Wonderland Oz in DownUnder! Fascinating wines from Orange, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Margaret River. Some classics from Barossa like Grange 2011. Ashton Hills charmed with its Pinot Noirs, especially with the Reserve 2018 - absolutely delicious Burgundy-like pinot! Penley Estate impressed with its silky smooth and elegant red wines, and great label design! Among the exciting experiences were An Approach to Relaxation and Ten Minutes by Tractor, and many more. The best whites of the day were still the Margaret River Chardonnays, especially Leewuin Estate with its Montrachet-flair!

4y 1m ago

 Guido Walter, Wine Importer (Germany)  tasted  1 wines  from  Leeuwin Estate . In a tasting of  11 wines 

Philipponnat Clos de Goisses 1998 / 94 points / Its grape-varieties are predominantly Pinot Noir, with the rest planted exclusively in Chardonnay. Always a vintaged wine, it is vinified according to the tradition upheld by generations of cellar masters and aged for almost ten years in the Philipponnat cellars which are excavated out of chalk. A powerful robust wine with a pronounced taste and lengthy finish.

4y 10m ago

 Thomas Girgensohn, Wine Blogger (Australia)  tasted  1 wines  from  Leeuwin Estate . In a tasting of  17 wines 

It is not often you have an opportunity to taste Chinese wine in the west. Yet, China is the sixth largest producer of wine in the world. Production has been pushed very hard, in particular in the western Xinjiang province. There is now a surplus of Chinese wine, as consumption is still focused on the major cities, where the wealthy prefer imported wine, anyway. And these companies are not well equipped to export their product either.


Broadly speaking, there are three major regions. The coastal region, where vine growing has been going on for a long time, the middle region, and Xinjiang in the west. While the focus is on Xinjiang, conditions are difficult there. The winters are very cold, and the vines need to be buried. This is very labour intensive.

4y 10m ago

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