Leeuwin Estate, Prelude Vineyards Chardonnay, Margaret River, West Australia, 2021

Overview the Wine
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’.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Bright, aromatic and varietal cut lime, pear and nectarine. Jasmine and frangipani notes give heightened subtleties to the fruit spectrum. Cashew, almond meal, popcorn, chamomile create a gorgeous centre to the nose. Vibrant and ethereal palate - great direction with shape and frame. Energetic and lively citrus fruits meets saline acidity. Gentle nuances of hazelnut, and sweet spice add a complementary layer and contour to the palate.

Grape / Blend
Chardonnay

Origin
Margaret River, West Australia

93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Prelude Vineyards Chardonnay is a multi-clonal wine: Davis 1, 5, Dijon (95, 96, 76), which is distinct from the Art Series Chardonnay, which is Gingin clone solely. The vineyard sources vary as well as the winemaking practice, allowing the winemaking team to try different processes and vessels in order to tease out different characters and textures. You get almond meal, preserved citrus and graphite. It's complex texturally yet still tight and linear. It's very good—both fresh and satisfying, with lightness and density at once. Flavorsome, lithe and long. Of the designated Prelude batches, 40% to 50% are left unsulfured and stirred twice a week. "Freshness and acidity are the corridor, and we build texture and complexity around that," says Chief Winemaker Tim Lovett. 

92 Points - James Suckling
Aromas of baked lemons, pink grapefruit, white peaches and sweet thyme. Medium-bodied with rounded texture and bright acidity. Fresh, warm citrus character with white tea spice. Subtle tannins at the finish. Drink or hold.

92 Points - Decanter
There's an oceanic quality to the nose; lime blossom and sea shells. Fresh, evolving and textured with layered complex lingering on mid palate then clean moreish finish.

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Leeuwin’s entrylevel range consistently proves an excellent intro to this longstanding Margaret River winery. Bright aromas of honeydew melon and white peach are underpinned gently by toast, cream and a saline nuance. The juicy fruit is persistent to the finish, the toasty, mineral notes flanking. Texturally, it’s slippery but also carries some chalky weight

Product size: 750ml