2025 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay, Margaret River

The style of this wine is now firmly established. Brought back from the slightly finer, leaner edginess it had become into a wine of more opulence and palate friendly richness, providing a point of distinction with its famous sibling, the Art Series. Aromas of lemon, cashew, and even sea spray. And then a palate that offers deep, mouth filling flavours, held with control and focus, that drives powerfully to the finish. Nutty light nougat and a trace of lemon contribute to an array of complex flavours. Drink to 2033.

94 points Ray Jordan Wine Review 2027

The chilled bunches of Gin Gin clone fruit were crushed and some parcels allowed skin contact in the press to extract some phenolics for complexity and structure. The juice was settled for three days, racked and fermented in French oak barriques of which 35% were new and the balance second fill. The fermented batches were left unsulphured and stirred on a weekly basis for almost two months for complexity and texture. Small amounts of sulphur was added at this point, with lees stirring resuming thereafter on a fortnightly basis. After ten months in barrels, the wine was blended, lightly fined and stabilised in preparation for bottling.

About this producer

Leeuwin Estate was one of the pioneers of Margaret River when it was established in 1973 by Denis and Tricia Horgan, with the first vineyard blocks planted in 1975. Three generations of the family work today along a team of dedicated viticulturalists and winemakers, with focus on sustainable viticulture. Estate grown fruit is complemented by grapes purchased from long-term contract growers.