Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2022

There’s authoritative presence straight off the bat here with a wine that exudes confidence. Rich aromas of nougat, ripe peach, and hazelnut praline lift from the glass before nectarine, dehydrated lime, ginger and grapefruit freshen things up and foil any heft. Cedar wood sits beneath it all as a seasoning, and some sweet peach blossom adds lift while the wine’s nuttiness remains present through it all. The palate is textural, powerful and deep set – ripe peach, grilled nuts, ruby grapefruit, kumquat, preserved lemon, lemon oil. All of this before a firm line of chalk-laced phenolics shapes and frames the back palate to keep it all in line, pulling the preserved lemon and grilled nuts long through the finish. There’s heft and power here, but masterfully controlled structure to balance it.