2017 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz, Margaret River

An abundace of bursting blackcurrants, boysenberries and mulberries glide between sweet and toasted spices of black cardamom, cinnamon quill and nutmeg. Offset are perfumed notes of violets, anise, dark chocolate, camphor and Sichuan peppercorns. The palate is finely poised, yet with a generous mid palate weight. Vibrant and opulent black and blue fruits mesh with dried cranberries, caramel and cocoa notes. The tannins are tactile and structural providing direction and length.

Open and closed fermenters with 20% whole bunches, plunged/pumped over daily, pressed to new and used barrels for a total of 18 months in oak. Deep, bright purple-crimson; after early (10 years±) hesitation about the synergy that might be gained from this marriage of wine and place all doubts were comprehensively answered. Lovely medium to full-bodied blackberry and co flavours.

95 points James Halliday winecompanion.com.au

Perhaps the best vintage of this wine I've yet tasted, the 2017 Art Series Shiraz reveals the progress Leeuwin Estate has made with this grape, which is often neglected in Margaret River. It's strongly peppery - a reflection of the cool vintage - but that element is balanced by succulent blueberry and intriguing licorice notes. Full-bodied and supple on the mid-palate, it finishes with a touch of tannic backbone and bright, mouthwatering acids.