2022 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay Australia

Family-owned, Leeuwin Estate, one of the five founding wineries of the now famous Margaret River district of Western Australia, is 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. Enjoying 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 is one of the benchmarks, if not the reference point winery in Margaret River." ~Robert Parker

Leeuwin has a respected reputation and is known to be one of the most coveted producers of Australian wines. Wine Spector stated that “Leeuwin demonstrates just how great Australian fine wines can be.”

Now under the direction of two generations of the founding family, the Estate is recognized as one of Australia's leading wine producers and wine tourism pioneers. Featured three times in the prestigious category of "International Winery of the Year" by U.S. Wine & Spirits magazine, Leeuwin Estate wines consistently rank alongside the world's finest.

Prelude Vineyards wines are made from fruit-producing the most readily expressive wines, with the intention of being enjoyed in their youth. All of their bottlings share a place amongst the great wines of Australia, receiving much international acclaim and attention.

This estate’s white wines are iconic and the 2018 Prelude is one of the best value Chardonnays in the world. Its safe to say that Chardonnay is one of Leeuwin’s specialties. Renowned Australian critic, James Halliday nicknamed him as “Australia’s best maker of Chardonnay.”

Aging: 10 Months in 40% French Oak

White Wine. 100% Chardonnay. Heightened floral notes of jasmine, frangipani, chamomile, and cardamom meet with the classical pear, lime, and lemon fruit spectrum. The nose has energy with delicate complexity. The palate is finely woven and lively. The fruit character is highlighted with lemon curd, pear, and pink grapefruit. The palate has great shape and texture; layers of cassia, clove, and cashew create intermingle with the primary fruit-forward core, The structure is firm with fine acidity, and a mineral touch.

The only thing more heartbreaking than the Chardonnay yields in 2022 is the quality. It's really good—isn't that always the way for us, as drinkers? On the nose, and in the mouth, the 2022 Prelude Vineyards Chardonnay offers us all the richness and concentration that Leeuwin Chardonnay is known for, but it is texturally a little more open weave and "available" than the Art Series. This is layered with white and yellow peach, red apple skins, white pepper, dehydrated orange peel, spring flowers, brine and tobacco. It's a ripping wine. Really smart. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. ~93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate