Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Tasting Notes

🔹 Appearance: Deep ruby with a vibrant, youthful edge.

🔹 Aroma: Bold and lifted, featuring blackcurrant, dark cherry, and wild strawberry, interwoven with clove, cardamom, cedar, tobacco leaf, and graphite. Subtle notes of nori, iodine, and petrichor add a distinctive mineral complexity.

🔹 Palate: Structured yet refined, showcasing forest fruits, olive tapenade, and savoury spice. A fine graphite-like tannin profile underpins the wine, while fresh acidity ensures balance, elegance, and a long, sustained finish.

Serving & Cellaring Guidelines

🔹 Serving Temperature: 16–18°C – Allow to breathe in a large-bowl glass or decant before serving.

🔹 Cellaring Potential: 15+ years – Built for longevity, with layers of complexity yet to unfold.

Food Pairing Suggestions

🔹 Slow-Braised Beef Cheeks – The richness of the dish complements the wine’s bold structure.

🔹 Lamb Rack with Rosemary & Garlic – Enhances the wine’s earthy, herbal character.

🔹 Charcuterie & Aged Hard Cheese – Brings out the wine’s fruit intensity and savoury depth.

🔹 Truffle Mushroom Risotto – A perfect match for the wine’s silky tannins and mineral backbone.

Accolades

🔹 Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine, 8th Edition
“Represents Australia’s most highly sought-after wines based on consumer demand, collectability, and auction value.”

🔹 96 Points – Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
“One of the distinctive features of this wine is its savouriness – rolled tobacco, nori, iodine, and a whiff of leather, seamlessly integrated with cedar and oak. The core of excellent fruit, bright acidity, and supple tannins makes this a joy to drink.”

🔹 96 Points – Cassandra Charlick, Decanter
“Immediately captivating. The nose is vibrant and energetic, while the palate is effortlessly elegant and poised. Layers of wild strawberry, blackcurrant, Szechuan pepper, and cocoa powder add depth, supported by a savoury, saline minerality and fine-grained tannins.”

🔹 96 Points – Ray Jordan, WA Wine Review 2025
“Stylish and brilliant. Perfumed red and black fruits with a violet lift, complemented by a touch of bay leaf and seashell minerality. The palate is elegantly structured, with firm but refined tannins leading to a sustained, impressive finish.”

🔹 95 Points – James Suckling
“Wonderfully balanced, fresh, and perfumed, with a core of boysenberries, cedar, mocha, and spice. Finely integrated tannins and focused acidity add complexity and longevity.”

🔹 95 Points – Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
“A beautiful wine to drink now, thanks to its silky, powdery tannins. While built to age, it is already tremendously pleasurable upon release.”

Additional Information

🔹 Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
🔹 Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (98%) with a touch of Malbec (2%)
🔹 Alcohol: 13.5% ABV | 8.0 Standard Drinks
🔹 Closure: Screw Cap
🔹 Winemaking: Hand-harvested, matured in French oak barriques

 Technical Terms Explained

🔹 Langton’s Classification – A prestigious ranking of Australia’s most collectible and highly sought-after wines.

🔹 Graphite Tannins – Fine-grained, structured tannins that provide a linear, refined mouthfeel.

🔹 Iodine & Saline Notes – Mineral characteristics that enhance the wine’s terroir-driven complexity.

🔹 Petrichor – The earthy scent of rain on dry soil, adding depth and savoury intrigue to the wine’s bouquet.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

🔹 How does this compare to other Margaret River Cabernets?
The Art Series Cabernet stands out for its elegant structure, savoury complexity, and ageability, making it one of Margaret River’s top Cabernet Sauvignons.

🔹 Can this wine be enjoyed young?
Absolutely! While built for long-term cellaring, its silky tannins and bright acidity make it enjoyable right now with proper decanting.

🔹 What makes this vintage special?
The 2021 vintage has been hailed as one of the finest in recent years, delivering exceptional purity of fruit, finesse, and longevity.

🔹 What is the best way to store this wine for ageing?
Keep bottles stored horizontally in a cool, dark place with a consistent temperature of 12–14°C to allow it to develop gracefully over the years.