Leeuwin Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

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 2022

“The 2022 Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon hails from a warm and dry vintage in Margaret River, one that is showing to be a very high-quality Cabernet vintage. The palate shows a pure core of raspberry and blood orange, nori and raw cocoa, even chinotto-esque in its leanings, with bramble and forest floor, graphite and cracked fennel seed. This is a velvety, tightly controlled, compact and excellent wine. The oak shows ever so slightly on the nose, in the form of malt biscuit and aniseed. This will be quickly subsumed by the fruit in a short time.” 97+ points. Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate

"Leeuwin’s Art Series Cabernet confirmed its position among Margaret River’s very best many vintages ago; this superb release merely reinforces that view. When first looked at some months ago, we debated whether this vs. the subsequent 2023 vintage would prove the superior year. It is a no lose proposition, as both are superb, but I suspect that in the intervening months, what we have seen from 2023 suggests that it will take the chocolates, as they say in the classics. But fear not, this is only a whisker behind, and indeed, I think that this wine looks even better now than it did then. Stunning stuff. Opaque magenta in colour, the nose meanders through notes of dark chocolate, mocha, coffee beans, tobacco leaves, spices, cassis, tar, graphite and a touch of axle grease in the best possible way. Still very young, there is a fine line of juicy acidity running the length. The wine has laser focus and is very, very long. Such great potential. Enjoy this for at least the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2028–2039" 97 Points, The Vintage Journal

"This is yet another release that shows the continual transformation of Leeuwin cabernets into now some of the very best in the region. It was a terrific year for producing fruit of exceptional varietal expression and intensity, and real balance. This is largely cabernet but again, a tiny percentage of malbec plays an important role. It's had about 50% new French oak for nine months, and overall spends about 22 months in oak. It retains an elegance and poise, yet at the same time, it's powerful and intense. Blackcurrant, a little leaf, a touch of oyster shell, and even a fragrant lift of violet on the nose. It's seamlessly integrated with fine chalky tannins and fine oak. This is as good as any cabernet released yet from Leeuwin." 97 Points, Ray Jordan, WA Wine Review

”One of the most elegant Art Series wines to date, yet it still has plenty of detail and power, it just feels more composed. A whorl of mulberries and blackberries all spiced up with cedary oak and cinnamon, licorice root and nori. The more mid-weighted palate is very even, with beautifully judged cocoa powder-like tannins. The invigorating acidity lengthens out the finish. It’s singing now yet will age gracefully. Bravo.” 96 Points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion

"Harvested through the first three weeks of April. 50% new oak. This seems to be our equal second highest rated Cabernet from the 2022 Margaret River vintage. – also bear in mind that we are generally less profligate with our scores than many other publications.
What I like most about this wine is its cool feel and lovely tightly-knit graphite tannin. It’s medium-bodied, tobacco and pencils, nutty and spicy, quite some perfume, and yes there’s a bit of peppermint floating about, though it sits well within the wine. Red and black fruit, nutmeg, a flicker of liquorice richness, and it’s so very long and composed. Top shelf." 95+ Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

"Cabernet Sauvignon with a splash of Malbec (1%) spends 22 months in oak (50% new for nine months). Tight-knit oak guides towards cool blue fruit, wild strawberries, bundled brambles and wood spice. Plenty of velvety black fruit on the palate, lovely
concentration without being dense. I adore the acidity – it just weaves through like sunlit water. A dusting of spice and liquorice pastilles. Oak is here, but doesn’t override. A great balancing act; the tannins are ripe and plush with a chalky frame
and exceptionally long-lasting. There’s oodles of complexity at its core, flexing into a glossy roundness with savoury, salt-kissed tension. A very complete wine with good flavour persistence." 96 points. Cassandra Charlick, Decanter

"There is debate in the Margaret River region as to whether 2022 or 2023 is the better vintage. It is a lineball decision – both were wonderful, so consumers simply can’t lose – but I'd probably opt for the younger year by a whisker. All that means is that fans of this wine just might have something even more exciting down the track. The initial maturation for this wine was in French oak, 50% of which were new. The parcels were then blended and further maturation, a total of 22 months, took place in ‘French Bordelaise coopered barriques’. A vibrant maroon hue, the nose exhibits aromas of tobacco leaves, licorice, blackberries, truffles, graphite, cigar boxes and mulberries, with deftly handled oak, providing a flick of vanilla which sits comfortably. Balanced and lingering, with underlying intensity and juicy acidity, this has a seductive texture and will continue to improve for many years. Enjoy over the next ten to fifteen years. Leeuwin’s Art Series Cab now sits among the very best from the region.” 96 points, Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot

"Deep colour with a tinge of purple and a bouquet of cedar, black berry fruits, fresh leather and a hint of black olive. The wine is intense and alive on the palate with excellent concentration, structure and length. The tannins are abundant and powdery, adding backbone, length and drama; the ageing potential is undoubted. Superb cabernet with a brilliant future." 96 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review

"A really great release that is quite elegant and perfumed. Aromas of blackcurrants, fresh plums, graphite, blackberries and dried herbs with tobacco and tomato leaves, cocoa beans, licorice and violets. The medium- to full-bodied palate has firmly framed yet finely tuned tannins and a plush, savory profile. There's a mineral edge here with purity of fruit and plenty of time left in bottle. Drink or hold. Screw cap." 95 Points, James Suckling

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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