2017 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River

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 flavours, 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.

99 points Special Value James Halliday winecompanion.com.au

The art of Margaret River chardonnay. This is it. You don’t just drink a wine like this, you set it in your mind as a benchmark. It’s a wine built on power, texture and length, centre-half forward, centre-half back and ruck, with acidity roving through and fragrance cheering loud. That seduction up front, that pure fresh peach, that huge energetic push through the back half. Blimey Charlie the crushed fennel characters here are full on. It’s the frisky side of luxury. It’s damn good.

97 points Campbell Mattinson winefront.com.au March 2020

Light yellow, a very youthful colour. The bouquet has substantial oak as well as some tropical fruit, cashew nut and fluffy yeast aromas. The palate is very intense and vibrant, with nervy acidity and richness to match, the aftertaste lingering on and on. A power-packed wine that is compact and tightly-packaged, latent like an unexploded bomb! Intense and sustained grapefruit and lemon aftertaste. An impressive, high-impact chardonnay of great potential. The sheer power of the fruit is awesome. 

98 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

The Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay from Margaret River is one of Australia’s greatest white wines, often compared to the finest white Burgundies. Leeuwin Estate, established in the 1970s with guidance from Robert Mondavi, quickly became a benchmark producer, and its Art Series Chardonnay has since become the flagship. The fruit is sourced primarily from mature vineyards in the Wilyabrup subregion, where gravelly loam soils and cooling ocean breezes deliver Chardonnay of intensity, balance and precision.

In the glass, it is pale straw with green-gold hues. The nose is intensely aromatic and layered, with white peach, nectarine and citrus zest interwoven with cashew, nougat, flint and subtle struck match notes. On the palate it is powerful yet refined, combining ripe stone fruit and lemon curd with creamy texture, savoury oak and a tightly coiled mineral drive. Bright natural acidity provides focus and length, while the finish is long, elegant and pure.

Food pairings highlight its richness and tension: crayfish or lobster with lemon butter, roast chicken with truffle, seared scallops, or mushroom and leek tart. Soft, creamy cheeses such as triple-cream brie also pair beautifully. With 15 to 20 years of cellaring potential, the wine evolves into something even more complex, gaining layers of honey, hazelnut and toast while maintaining its citrus backbone.

The Art Series Chardonnay has been a consistent critics’ favourite, regularly scoring in the high 90s and occasionally achieving 100 points from international reviewers. It is regarded as a true collectible, appearing on fine wine lists worldwide and often described as Australia’s most iconic Chardonnay.