2023 Leeuwin Estate Brut Sparkling, Margaret River

Leeuwin Estate Brut Sparkling is a quietly confident, beautifully made sparkling wine that shows just how well Margaret River can handle the traditional method style. The vineyards sit close to the Indian Ocean, where cooling sea breezes, bright sunlight and a long growing season allow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to ripen slowly while retaining natural acidity. Gravelly loam soils over clay provide excellent drainage and help build flavour without excess weight, giving the wine its balance and composure.

Leeuwin Estate is one of the founding names of Margaret River, established in the early 1970s by Denis and Tricia Horgan, with early encouragement from Robert Mondavi. While the Art Series wines often steal the spotlight, the sparkling program has always been taken seriously. This is not a by product wine. It is grown, picked and made with intention, using fruit selected specifically for freshness, finesse and longevity.

In the glass, the wine is refined and expressive. Lemon zest, green apple and white peach form the core, followed by subtle notes of brioche, almond and light toast from time on lees. The mousse is fine and persistent, creating a creamy texture without heaviness. Acidity is bright but well integrated, giving the wine energy and drive rather than sharpness. There is a gentle saline edge on the finish that reflects its coastal origins and makes it particularly food friendly.

This is a sparkling wine that works far beyond aperitif duty. It is excellent with oysters, prawns, sashimi, fried seafood or roast chicken, and it also handles richer dishes thanks to its structure and freshness. Drink it now for its clarity and vibrancy, or over the next five to seven years as it develops more savoury, nutty complexity. A polished, elegant Australian sparkling that captures the understated class of Leeuwin Estate and the quiet strength of Margaret River.