Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay 2024

Tasting Notes

🔹 Appearance: A bright, pale gold colour that invites you to explore the wine further.

🔹 Aroma: On the nose, a delightful bouquet of lime, pear, and nectarine creates a vibrant opening, with soft floral notes of jasmine and frangipani weaving through, adding aromatic complexity.

🔹 Palate: The palate is fresh and lively, with citrus fruits balancing perfectly with the saline acidity that provides a crisp, energetic finish. Subtle nuances of hazelnut and sweet spice create layers of depth, while the oak influence is finely integrated, enhancing the wine’s brightness without overpowering it.

Perfect Pairings

This Chardonnay pairs wonderfully with:

🔹 Seafood – Fresh oysters, grilled fish, or creamy seafood pasta will be perfectly complemented by the wine’s crisp acidity and complexity.

🔹 Creamy Pasta Dishes – The wine’s fresh profile works harmoniously with the richness of creamy pasta dishes.

🔹 Fresh Salads – The vibrant acidity cuts through the freshness of a garden salad or a light citrus-based dressing.

🔹 Grilled Chicken or Brie – The subtle oak and hazelnut notes enhance dishes like grilled chicken or soft cheeses like Brie.

Accolades 🏆

2023 vintage:

🔹 96 Points – Ray Jordan, WA Wine Review 2025
“A breakthrough wine for Leeuwin, delightfully poised with pretty aromas of plummy mulberry and blue fruits. Soft, supple, with fine fruit characters and chalky tannins.”

🔹 96 Points – Ken Gargett, WinePilot.com April 2024
“An exemplary Margaret River Shiraz. Beautifully structured with a savoury style, notes of licorice, dry herbs, and blackcurrants. Exceptional balance with excellent length.”

🔹 95 Points – Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, February 2024
“Lush and persistent with a complex mid-palate, exhibiting mineral notes, pink peppercorns, and dried herbs. Seamlessly integrated tannins.”

🔹 94 Points – Gary Walsh, WineFront May 2024
“Aromatically vibrant with cracked pepper, black olive, and red fruit. Medium-bodied with a great finish.”

Details

• Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
• Vintage: 2023
• Type: White Wine
• Variety: Chardonnay
• Alcohol: 13.5% ABV
• Closure: Screw Cap

Serving Temperature

🔹 Ideal Serving Temperature: 10–12°C
This Chardonnay is best served chilled but not too cold to allow its aromas and flavours to fully unfold. If being stored in the fridge leave out for 10 minutes prior to drinking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 🤔

❓How does this Chardonnay compare to others from Margaret River?
This Chardonnay showcases the vibrancy and aromatic complexity for which Margaret River is known. The wine strikes a perfect balance between freshness and subtle oak influence.

❓Can this wine be enjoyed immediately?
Yes, it’s delicious now, with its bright acidity and floral complexity. However, it will also age gracefully over the next 5–7 years, developing more intricate layers.

❓What is the best way to store this wine?
Store it horizontally in a cool, dark place, ideally at a temperature of 12–14°C, to preserve its freshness and allow it to evolve.

❓What does ‘acidity’ in wine mean?
Acidity in wine refers to the crisp, refreshing quality that makes a wine taste lively. It helps balance sweetness and adds to the wine’s overall structure. A wine with good acidity feels fresh, like the taste of citrus fruit.

❓What are ‘oak influences’ in wine?
Oak influences come from aging the wine in oak barrels, which can add flavours like vanilla, spice, and a soft texture to the wine. In this Chardonnay, the oak is delicately integrated, enhancing its complexity without overshadowing the fresh fruit character.

❓What is the ‘finish’ of a wine?
The finish refers to the lingering taste that remains after swallowing the wine. A long finish means the flavours continue to develop after you’ve finished tasting, adding to the wine’s overall enjoyment.