Leeuwin Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Langtons 8th Edition Classified

Leeuwin Estate's reputation for Cabernet Sauvignon has solidified its place amongst the region's best. The pinnacle Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon is from a dry-grown block of Houghton clone planted in 1975, exhibiting low yields and concentrated fruit.

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Tasting Notes

Leeuwin Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

“Immediately captivating: the nose is vibrant and energetic, while simultaneously the epitome of elegance and poise with restrained fruit power. This is a silk evening gown of a wine: form-fitting, precisely tailored, mellifluous and effortlessly chic. Abundant in aromatics and lifted perfume, fine red fruits include wild strawberry tip, bramble and just-ripe blackcurrant, alongside hints of piquancy: Szechwan pepper, clove and a fine dusting of deep, lightly toasted cocoa powder. There’s a charismatic iodine weave, the savoury and slightly saline minerality proving a foil to both the fruit flesh and the floral hues. Displaying extremely fine-grained tannins, it's firm, focused and delicate, with a graphite line, fresh acidity and plenty that will reveal itself in good time.” 96 points, Cassandra Charlick, Decanter

“The 2021 Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon will be released in the winter of 2024, and it's an interesting timeline, given the 2020 will be released this February. The 2021 season in Margaret River was frequently wet, and as a result, the character of the red wines is lighter in body and fruit weight. This 2021 wine is lighter in the glass than the 2020 (no surprise, given berry sizes in general in 2020), and the nose introduces dried herbs and exotic spice, alongside the raspberry, cassis and nori. Block 8 and block 9, which make up the backbone of this wine, are dry-grown, and this is an important point in the years that are markedly wet (2021, 2006) and dry (2024, 2022, 2020, etc.). On the palate, the wine is perfumed and fine, lightweight and flowing. It's a beautiful wine to drink now, thanks to its powdery tannins. It's all about the tannins here; it's whippy, like fresh new growth on plant. I would drink this anytime from release; it offers tremendous pleasure just as it is.” 95 points, Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate

"98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec. I tasted this wine in a vertical of Cabernet with winemaker Tim Lovett back in May, first thing in the morning, and again, just now, sans hangover. I thought I’d put both notes in, just for the sake of completeness. I was waiting for the wine to arrive before I published my note."

May24: Black olive, savoury, darker fruit, some red in the mix, a little mint. Dense, very mineral feel to acidity, some crunch to tannin, redcurrant and fine grip to close. Tim says it’s epic , but no lemon myrtle (which is a joke around me missing a perfect descriptor for their 2021 Chardonnay). Pushes through. Really good. Much like the 2019, though less concentrated. 94-95 points.

Sep24: Black fruit, seaweed, black olive, aniseed and mint, bay leaf, spice and cedar. It’s medium-bodied, distinctly saline and savoury, has a firm redcurrant crunch to acidity, and while the tannin is maybe a little scratchy, they sit well within the wine and give it something of a peppery/dusty feel, and the finish is long and quite frisky. It’s a lovely wine, and I’m often guilty of underrating LEAS Cab as a young wine, so bear that in mind." 94+ Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

Few stories can be told about modern Australian wine without mentioning the amazing rise of Margaret River, and Leeuwin Estate as a pioneer. Founded by Tricia and Denis Horgan in 1979, it is the star estate of Margaret River’s southern area; 
with a particular pedigree in its famed Chardonnay, but also relatively recent acclaim for Cabernet and Shiraz. 

Producer website:  https://leeuwinestate.com.au/

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