Product Information:
Cassandra Charlick of Decanter Magazine offers high praise for the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, describing it as "immediately captivating: the nose is vibrant and energetic, while simultaneously the epitome of elegance and poise with restrained fruit power." This international acclaim emphasises the wine's exceptional quality and worldly charm.
The 2021 has well defined varietal character, pure blackcurrants and dark cherries dominate the nose, alongside dulcet oak spices. The wine is highly lifted and perfumed with lavender and basil flowers on show. Plenty of drive, through to the finish laced with minerality with ripe, silky tannins.
Regarding the winemaking, after individual berry sorting and cold soaking, fermentation took place in closed, static fermenters at temperatures between 26-30 degrees with extraction by pumping over each individual parcel three times daily. After malolactic fermentation entirely in barrels and 9 months of barrel maturation, separate parcels were blended for further maturation in French Bordelaise coopered barriques with seasonal rackings. This wine spent 22 months in total in oak
The Estate’s signature “Art Series” wines are dressed with artwork by leading Australian contemporary artists. The artwork for Leeuwin Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is by Ildiko Kovacs, entitled “Hymn.”
Maker:
Leeuwin Estate is a foundational pillar in Margaret River, is celebrated for their world-class wines. Founded by Denis and Tricia Horgan, the estate was guided by Napa Valley's the esteemed Robert Mondavi, who recognised its potential for premium wine production. With his mentorship, the Horgans transformed their humble cattle farm into a renowned vineyard. Planting began in 1974, and by 1979, Leeuwin Estate’s wines gained international acclaim almost immediately.
The 1981 “Art Series” Chardonnay earned high praise from Decanter Magazine, marking Leeuwin Estate’s entry onto the global stage. Today, under the care of three generations of the founding family, the estate continues to produce exceptional, site-expressive wines that are featured in top restaurants and wine merchants across 30 markets.
Vineyard:
2021’s mild summer vintage produced wines showcasing excellent varietal definition with incredible length and clarity. 2020’s winter was typically wet and windy with heavy falls in July, August, and September, resulting in close to average rainfall. Chardonnay was the first variety to burst in the last week of August, followed by the Riesling and Cabernet through late August and September. Chardonnay cap fall was mostly complete by November 10. Summer was warm with few hot days experienced. Veraison was first noted in the estate Pinot Noir vineyards during the final days of December, while Chardonnay veraison commenced in the first week of January. Bird nets went onto the vineyards through early January, although a substantial and prolonged show of Marri blossom in the region kept the birds out of the vineyards until March when its flowering was complete. Rain in April, alongside sunny mild days and cool nights allowed the reds to develop beautiful ripe skin tannins, flavour and sugar ripeness. Harvest of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz began in the final days of March, with the last of the estate fruit picked on April 18.
Nose - Rolled Tobacco, Lifted Forest Berries, Iodine
Abundant in aromatics and lifted perfume, fine red fruits include wild strawberry, bramble and just-ripe blackcurrants, alongside hints of Szechwan pepper, clove and a fine dusting of lightly toasted cocoa powder.
Palate - Dark Forest Fruits, Cedar, Olives
Drive, direction and line formulate the shape and frame on the palate. Dark forest fruits surround cedar, olives and graphite.
Finish - Graphite, Minerality, Floral Notes
There’s a charismatic iodine weave, the savoury and slightly saline minerality proving a foil to both the fruit flesh and the floral hues. Displaying extremely fine-grained tannins,
One of the distinctive features of this wine, and in a way a DNA link to all Art Series cabernet, is its savouriness. It’s the rolled tobacco, nori, iodine and whiff of new leather plus the cedary oak, but these are not separate, they form a whole impression. There’s also the core of excellent fruit, the structure, the supple tannins and the bright acidity. And the joy of drinking it. - Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion, 96 Points.
Immediately captivating: the nose is vibrant and energetic, while simultaneously the epitome of elegance and poise with restrained fruit power. This is a silk evening gown of a wine: form-fitting, precisely tailored, mellifluous and effortlessly chic. Abundant in aromatics and lifted perfume, fine red fruits include wild strawberry tip, bramble and just-ripe blackcurrant, alongside hints of piquancy: Szechwan pepper, clove and a fine dusting of deep, lightly toasted cocoa powder. There’s a charismatic iodine weave, the savoury and slightly saline minerality proving a foil to both the fruit flesh and the floral hues. Displaying extremely fine-grained tannins, it's firm, focused and delicate, with a graphite line, fresh acidity and plenty that will reveal itself in good time. Tasted pre-release. - Cassandra Charlick, Decanter, 96 Points.
On the palate, the wine is perfumed and fine, lightweight and flowing. It's a beautiful wine to drink now, thanks to its powdery tannins. It's all about the tannins here; it's whippy, like fresh new growth on a plant. I would drink this anytime from release; it offers tremendous pleasure just as it is. - Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, 95 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec
Country - Australia
Region - Margaret River, Western Australia
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.5%
Closure - Screw Cap
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