2025 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Riesling, Margaret River

Aromatic and alluring, this wine opens with a lifted perfume where citrus blossom gracefully entwines with the exotic spice of galangal and the zest of Kaffir lime leaf. The core of the bouquet is anchored in pristine primary fruits—lime juice, lemon pith, and crisp Granny Smith apple—while delicate flinty nuances and earthy spice layers contribute a quiet, sophisticated complexity.

On the palate, finesse and focus define its character. The structure is finely honed and tightly composed, delivering a vivid expression of lemon and lime in perfect harmony. A poised mid-palate offers a gentle openness, beautifully balanced by seamlessly integrated natural acidity. The finish is long, mineral-driven, and chalky, echoing purity and restraint with enduring elegance. 12%

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Riesling is one of the quiet achievers in the Margaret River white wine landscape. While this iconic producer is best known for its legendary Chardonnay, the Riesling is a standout in its own right — mineral-driven, citrus-laced and built to age. It comes from the cooler southern part of Margaret River, near Karridale, where maritime breezes and gravelly soils offer the perfect conditions for crisp, aromatic whites.

Leeuwin Estate was established in 1973 with the guidance of Robert Mondavi and has remained in the Horgan family’s hands ever since. Tim Lovett, the current Chief Winemaker, has brought a heightened focus to precision, freshness and expression in the Art Series whites, and the Riesling has quietly grown into one of the most consistent and cellar-worthy expressions of the variety in Western Australia.

The fruit is handpicked and gently pressed, with fermentation in stainless steel to retain bright aromatics and acidity. No oak, no malolactic fermentation — this is Riesling in its purest form. The wine is typically bottled early to lock in vitality, then slowly develops over years into something layered and complex.

In its youth, the wine bursts with lime zest, green apple, jasmine and wet stone. The palate is razor-sharp and focused, with a fine chalky texture and zippy natural acidity. As it ages, it develops classic toasty, honeyed notes while retaining freshness and elegance.

Serve it with fresh oysters, grilled scallops, Thai green curry, or zucchini flowers stuffed with goat cheese. Drink young for vibrancy or cellar for 10 to 15 years to unlock its full potential.