2024 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay, Margaret River

Producer. Producer. Producer. Despite the 2024 naysaying (at least for Chardonnay) on account of its warmth, this is unsurprisingly all class and one to jump on for the quality-to-price ratio. Nougat, chestnut and fine cedar mark a savoury beginning before an unfurling of white grapefruit, peach skin and dehydrated lime. Allusions of flint. It’s immediate and open, though with definition and detail. Notes of brown spice and salted lemon emerge with air. It all clicks nicely into place, making for a really striking perfume. The palate is textural and full, with the nutty savouriness and fine cedar notes sitting forward before a cut of pithy white grapefruit and tangy lemon hold sway and pull it linear. Classic Gin Gin clone acidity and phenolic grip put up a lovely long frame around the finish, which is drawn to good length. This is very good, and at its price point it can boast complexity, structure, power and detail.

94 points Tom Kline Winepilot

Given that the Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay is always considered one of our very best Chardonnays, each vintage, it should be no surprise that their Prelude Chardonnay is another seriously good wine. Inevitably, it will be looked at as a second wine by some, but it deserves better than that. In fact, there would be wineries lining up to have this as their pinnacle release. Fermentation was in French barriques with 35% of them new. The wine then spent a further ten months in maturation. Lemon/straw in colour, there are gorgeous aromas here, with cashews, white peaches, stone fruits, nectarines, woodsmoke, citrus and mandarins all prevalent. The wine has enjoyed excellent oak handling, is of medium to good length and offers a fine line of acidity. Fresh and bright, this has at least six to eight years of providing pleasure ahead of it.

93 points Ken Gargett Winepilot

From the same revered vineyards that produce one of Australia’s most iconic Chardonnays, Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay offers a more immediate, approachable expression of Margaret River. Established by the Horgan family and shaped over decades by the work of Bob Cartwright, the estate continues under Phil Hutchison with a focus on precision and regional clarity. Prelude draws on younger vines and parcels not destined for Art Series, yet carries the same DNA of balance, texture and finesse.

A pale lemon gold with bright green flashes sits in the glass. Aromas open with ripe nectarine, lemon zest and grapefruit layered with cashew, subtle spice and a gentle flinty edge. There is an inviting openness here, generous yet composed.

The palate is medium bodied and finely textured, delivering citrus and stone fruit flavours framed by fresh acidity and a soft mineral line. Notes of almond, brioche and light oak spice build through the mid palate, leading to a clean, polished finish that feels both vibrant and easy to enjoy. Drinking beautifully now, it will continue to develop added complexity over five to eight years.

Grilled king prawns with garlic and chilli, buttery corn with sea salt, or a simple roast chicken shared without fuss. A spin of Bill Withers or something warm from Norah Jones, even a touch of Mozart later in the evening, the wine settling into a relaxed rhythm that feels effortlessly Margaret River.