Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2022
The Wine
Together with Beechworth's Giaconda - this is arguably Australia's most iconic Chardonnay. The 2022 release continues that legacy, delivering power, complexity, and seamless balance.
The fruit is hand-harvested, cooled, and partially whole-bunch pressed before undergoing 100% barrel fermentation in new French oak. Regular lees stirring builds texture and depth, and after 11 months in barrel, the wine is blended and bottled without compromise.
The nose is intense and layered - nashi pear, finger lime, and lemon curd, lifted by white florals, brioche, and sesame praline. The palate is pure and precise, unfolding with waves of nectarine, white peach, and citrus zest, laced with graphite minerality, gentle spice, and a fine chalky finish. The acidity is vibrant yet refined, giving the wine tension, length, and serious ageing potential.
A benchmark Australian Chardonnay that needs no introduction - drink now or watch it evolve over the next 15+ years.
97 Pts Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate 'Toasted nuts, yellow fruits, and exotic spices with a seamless oak integration. Powerful and statuesque, this Chardonnay is one to collect, though decanting is recommended for immediate enjoyment.'
97 Pts Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion 'If you were sitting quietly in a corner, contemplating the vicissitudes of life, and a glass of this exceptional chardonnay came your way, well, all would be very well indeed. And you’d perk up. It’s a wine that tends to be scintillating in youth, driven by all manner of citrus flavours – lemon, pink grapefruit with a dash of lime but also a mille-feuille of leesy lusciousness, oak spices and a moreish savouriness. It seems powerful and explosive with its acidity, drive and energy yet manages to remain classy and complex.'
The Details
Variety - Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Western Australia
Sub Region - Margaret River
Extra - Screwcap
Year - 2022
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker 
Family owned, Leeuwin Estate, one of the five founding wineries of the now famous Margaret River district of Western Australia, is under the stewardship of three 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’.
