Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2023

This is a case of the planets aligning with one of the great names in Australian Chardonnay from what I think is the finest vintage in the history of West Australian modern winemaking. This is quintessential Leeuwin, controlled power, but with the subtle finesse and delicacy that is the signature of this great vintage. The nose is a wonderful mix of quince paste, cut lime, spice, grapefruit, and a subtle dusting of powdery talc. The palate captures the vintage so well. The flavour profile gradually builds and accelerates with tremendous drive through to a powerfully long finish, which is an essential part of the Leeuwin DNA. And yet all of this is done with such beautiful restraint and a controlled structure. It’s such a young wine at the minute, but you know that deep within there’s real power and latent energy that we’ll see it develop so typically into a great mature Chardonnay with extended cellaring. Up there with the finest releases.