Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River

Leeuwin Estate was founded in 1973 by Denis and Tricia Horgan on a sweeping 120‑hectare property just north of Margaret River, Western Australia. From its very inception, Leeuwin set out to defy convention, planting its vineyard in what was then regarded as marginal bushland rather than the more established valleys to the south. Their pioneering spirit found its truest expression in the Art Series Chardonnay, first released in 1980, each vintage graced by a work of contemporary Australian art on the label. Over the decades, this wine has ascended to the pinnacle of Australian viticulture, earning a place among the “Heritage Five” in Langton’s Classification and celebrated for its seamless integration of powerful oak influence and vibrant fruit concentration.

“The Art Series Chardonnay is, in my opinion, Australia’s finest example based on the wines of the last 30 vintages.”
James Halliday

The Art Series Chardonnay is all about balance and elegance, with a fruit profile which is distinctly Margaret River with a little supporting French Oak. The Prelude Chardonnay is superb value and is highly recommended. While their Chardonnay is the benchmark against which many Australian Chardonnays are measured, it’s a bit of a shame that the other wines in the range are often overlooked. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a hallmark Cab from Margaret River and consistently scores well, but I’ve always had a soft spot for the Art Series Shiraz—a slightly more refined expression of the varietal than the big bruisers of the Barossa Valley.