2026 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Sauvignon Blanc, Margaret River

Fresh lemon, grapefruit and blackcurrant leaf with white pepper and a flinty reductive edge. There’s lovely fruit density here balanced by freshness and tension, with more to come from time in bottle. The palate is mid-weighted and textural with chewy stone fruits, phenolic grip and a long, salivating finish. Refined and polished with excellent poise and aging potential. Drink or hold.

94 points Ryan Montgomery for James Suckling, October 2026

The 2026 Art Series Sauvignon Blanc follows in the footsteps of many fine releases under the name, with the 2025 rated 95 points by Erin Larkin for The Wine Advocate, who called that vintage ‘sensational’. Here’s what the winemakers at Leeuwin Estate see in a glass of the 2026:

‘Perfumed and intense aromas of tropical guava, lychee and blackcurrant leaf greet the nose before delicate notes of gooseberry and tarragon add further dimension to the fruit spectrum. Subtle hints of fennel bulb and cardamom add a final layer of complexity.

A focused, concentrated yet delicate palate opens with grapefruit, lemon and Tahitian lime, while a lively, refreshing acidity creates length and tension. Savoury layers and textures run parallel to the fruit and acidity, leading to an enviably long Granny Smith apple finish. The palate expresses the purity, clarity and sophistication of a subtle yet intricately complex wine.‘

This would sit well with poached lemongrass chicken served with a green papaya salad, or a shiro miso and mirin marinated, grilled piece of mulloway served with a lightly dressed fennel salad with green apple and peas.

More about this wine

The 2026 season at Leeuwin Estate started with plenty of moisture in the ground after a wet winter. The prolonged and cool spring was followed by what was largely a good, uneventful season with even fruit ripening, with fruit for this wine harvested across two weeks in the middle of March.

The grapes were crushed and allowed three hours of skin contact before pressing. The cold settled juice was racked and inoculated with cultivated neutral yeasts for fermentation which took place mostly in stainless steel with a 30% component fermented in one-year-old French oak barriques. That portion was also matured on lees for four months, with weekly stirring to build subtle texture and complexity, before it was blended with the stainless steel component. The final wine then lightly fined and stabilised in preparation for bottling.

The 2026 label featured artwork by Eliza Piro entitled Out Bush.

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.