Leeuwin Estate’s Art Series Chardonnay
Leeuwin Estate’s Art Series Chardonnay is one of Australia’s top tier of Chardonnay royalty. Sitting at the top of critics, reviewers and wine lovers lists for as long as time. Planted in the seventies with the help of none other than Robert Mondavi, the Horgan family have long established themselves at the front of the chardonnay front for Australia. It is that perfect combo of power, poise and pure Margaret River sunshine, all dressed in fine French oak. Yes they use a lot of new oak but gee it handles it well. The use of so much new oak is balanced by fruit intensity and by not allowing the wines to go through malolactic fermentation.
The Unlikely Leeuwin Story
What people forget is just how unlikely the Leeuwin story is. Denis and Tricia Horgan did not buy the land with dreams of fame or global prestige. They simply fell in love with a coastal property that was then used for cattle. Wine was nowhere near the plan. Then along came Robert Mondavi, already a titan of American wine, who saw something special. He recognised the potential of the free draining gravel soils, the cooling breezes coming off both the Indian and Southern Oceans, and the sort of natural acidity that only a true maritime climate can deliver. He encouraged the Horgans to plant vineyards, to start small but aim high, and to build not just a winery but a legacy. That advice set the estate on a path that would redefine Australian Chardonnay.
Building a Legacy, Block by Block
From those beginnings the Horgan family built methodically, block by block, refining their viticulture and gradually understanding the nuances of each site. The Art Series philosophy grew from the idea that their flagship wines should capture both purity and creativity. They partnered with Australian artists to feature a new artwork each vintage, turning every bottle into a collectible. It added a sense of identity that few wineries in the world have achieved and built a connection between wine, culture and community.
Staying True to Their Style
Leeuwin’s approach has never been about following trends. While the rest of Australia moved through waves of heavy buttery styles, oak bombs, then razor sharp minimal oak styles, Leeuwin simply stayed true to its core: pristine fruit, energy, tension and a line of acidity that slices straight through the richness. The vineyards are planted on ancient gravel soils that Margaret River is adored for, and over the decades the team has mapped their blocks with incredible precision. They know exactly which rows offer more citrus cut, which offer stone fruit weight, and how each parcel needs to be picked and handled. That is why Art Series Chardonnay has this uncanny ability to age, evolve and still carry the same signature from one decade to the next.
Five Vintages That Tell the Story
But not every vintage tells the same story. Let us look at five that sum up just how epic this wine can be: 2004, 2010, 2018, 2020 and 2022. Not just through my lens but through the eyes of two great Western Australian wine minds, John Jens and Ray Jordan.
2004 – Rich, Mature, Beautiful
2004 was a beauty from the early two thousands, now rich, mellow and in full stride. Think baked peach, honeyed cashew, vanilla oak and a touch of citrus still hanging on. It is mature, silky and just gorgeous if you have a bottle resting quietly somewhere. Drink it now and thank yourself later. A second time drinking this wine for me and just as memorable as the first.
2010 – Freshness Meets Maturity
2010 walks that tightrope between freshness and maturity. Floral and nutty with a honeyed twist, it is a Chardonnay that hums with confidence but still glows with life. The oak is in check, the fruit still pulsing, and the texture pure class. Right in the sweet spot for a drink anytime over the next five years but it will age well beyond that too.
2018 – Elegance and Precision
Then there is 2018, the golden child. Elegance, length, minerality and balance with everything perfectly placed. Nectarine, white peach and citrus all dancing together. It has plenty in the tank but is already drinking beautifully. What a wine.
2020 – Power and Drive
2020 takes things up a notch. A powerhouse vintage. Intense, saline, textural and layered. One of those wines you just know will go twenty years without tiring. Pear, white peach, crushed shell and a line of acid that could split granite. If you have the patience, cellar this. If you are like me, open and decant then enjoy the magic.
2022 – The Crystal-Clear Future
And finally 2022, the future. Super fresh and tightly wound with lime zest, pear, peach and chalky minerality. It is a baby now but already shows that crystalline Leeuwin DNA. Freshness, drive, pizzazz and an almost cool season feel that gives real nerve.
Australian Chardonnay on the World Stage
Across these vintages you can literally taste the evolution of Australian Chardonnay from the bold, oak driven richness of 2004 to the laser focused precision of 2022. Each one a snapshot of its era, each one unmistakably Leeuwin. If you ever needed proof that Australian Chardonnay belongs on the world stage next to Meursault or Montrachet, these five vintages of this classic wine are a perfect place to start.
Your Turn
Which ones have you tried?