2018 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay Reviewed by Big Hammer Wines “Australian", Wine Expert
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. Celebrating the combination of fine wine, food, art, and music, Leeuwin features an award-winning restaurant, cellar-door, and art gallery. The Estate is renowned for staging spectacular events and welcoming visitors from around the world.
"Leeuwin Estate is one of the benchmarks, if not the reference point winery in Margaret River." ~Robert Parker
Now under the direction of two generations of the founding family, the Estate is recognized as one of Australia's leading wine producers and wine tourism pioneers. Featured three times in the prestigious category of "International Winery of the Year" by U.S. Wine & Spirits magazine, Leeuwin Estate wines consistently rank alongside the world's finest.
Prelude Vineyards wines are made from fruit-producing the most readily expressive wines, with the intention of being enjoyed in their youth. All of their bottlings share a place amongst the great wines of Australia, receiving much international acclaim and attention.
Aging: 10 Months in 40% French Oak
Tasting Notes: White Wine. 100% Chardonnay. Heightened floral notes of jasmine, frangipani, chamomile, and cardamom meet with the classical pear, lime, and lemon fruit spectrum. The nose has energy with delicate complexity. The palate is finely woven and lively. The fruit character is highlighted with lemon curd, pear, and pink grapefruit. The palate has great shape and texture; layers of cassia, clove, and cashew create intermingle with the primary fruit-forward core, The structure is firm with fine acidity, and a mineral touch.
Reviews:
- This achieves another step up the quality ladder for Leeuwin Estate, seemingly impossible. There's been no change in the vinification, nor in the vineyard. The change is an increase in the intensity of the flavors, and hence their length and aftertaste. It's an extraordinary wine, among the greatest of Burgundy (and elsewhere in the world). Whatever you expect from its future development will be delivered. ~96 James Halliday
- There’s a punchy, confident appeal to this chardonnay, which has a rich peach, lemon-curd, and toasted-hazelnut nose with acute freshness and fruit intensity. The palate unfurls plenty of flavorsome, ripe stone-fruit flesh and then zips taut with bracing acidity on the mouthwatering finish. Drink over the next five years. ~93 James Suckling
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