2020 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Cabernet Sauvignon Australia

Leeuwin Estate is a family-owned producer and one of the five founding wineries of the Margaret River district of Western Australia. The winery is currently under the direction of two generations who work with a team of highly skilled winemakers to consistently produce wines ranking alongside the world’s finest.

In 1972, legendary Napa Valley winemaker Robert Mondavi identified the future site of the Leeuwin vineyard as being ideal for the production of premium wine and provided early mentorship to Denis and Tricia Horgan in the transformation of their cattle farm into Leeuwin Estate. Following its first commercial vintage in 1979, Leeuwin was thrust into the international spotlight when Decanter Magazine gave its highest recommendation to the 1981 “Art Series” Chardonnay. The international accolades have continued and Leeuwin now exports to 30 markets. Celebrating the combination of fine wine, food, art, and music, Leeuwin features an award-winning restaurant, cellar door, and art gallery. The Estate is renowned for staging spectacular events and welcoming visitors from around the world.

Leeuwin Estate releases wines under the Art Series, Prelude Vineyards, and Siblings labels.Prelude Vineyards wines are made from fruit that produces the most readily expressive wines with the objective that they will drink well soon after release. The Sibling's label celebrates the family lineage and the three generations now leaving their footprints on the Leeuwin Estate. They all share a place amongst the great wines of Australia, receiving much international acclaim and attention. 

Aging: 20 months in 33% new French oak barriques 

100% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Bright, lively, and fragrant nose with blackcurrants and dark cherries, combined with higher notes of clove, cumin, black cardamom, and star anise. Subtle notes of coffee and cocoa lie in the background. Fine and delicately structured palate featuring boysenberries, blackcurrants, and plums. Volume and density through the mid-palate are balanced with a bright mineral acid line, finishing with seamless tannins.

The 2020 Prelude Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is juicy and bright on the nose. Despite its glossy exterior, the wine maintains a freshly turned earth/bramble vibe on the nose, which directly places it as varietally true. A honing beacon, if you will. The moderate to warm 2020 vintage is responsible for the density of fruit flavor in the mouth. Very good. The drinking window is conservative, but it takes into consideration primary fruit, which I personally prefer, to some extent, in most wines. This is characterized by cassis, blueberry, salted licorice, summer raspberry and even a hint of star anise through the finish. ~93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Piercing aromas of cassis, mulberry leaf, pencil shavings, dried sage and bay leaf, draped across the broad tannic scape. Yet another wine, mid-weighted and classy, of the second tier at this address. Rather excellent drinking. Bravo! Drink or hold. Screw cap. ~93 James Suckling 

Chocolaty, coffee oak influence is at the fore here, with plump red cherry, cranberry and currant fruit just below. Crushed rock, white pepper, dried floral and savory spice aromas abound, too. The palate finds shades of both lightness and darkness, with chiseled tannins and a savory edge to the tangy fruit. ~91 Wine Enthusiast.