If price wasn't a concern we'd all just want to drink bucket loads of this. It's all class and quality but the drinkability factor is extremely high. It's like sitting with someone expert in the art of conversation; it makes you laugh and cry and lean in closer. Fruit, oak, texture, acidity, length: a hand full of aces, neatly arranged, trim and terrific.

Leeuwin’s Chardonnay continues to be a standard-bearer for Margaret River and all of Australia. The 2012 Art Series is subtly toasty on the nose, blossoming with time into full-on crème brûlée aromas, while the palate offers creamy-textured notions of tropical fruit and custard. The long finish reverberates with fruit, suggesting plenty of aging potential, up to 10 or 12 years. — J.C.

Amazingly focused, layered and expressive, with pear, lime, guava and floral flavors that meld harmoniously and linger on the creamy finish. Deftly pulls all the elements together into a cohesive whole, lingering effectively and precisely. Drink now through 2022. 600 cases imported. –HS

Above-average summer temperatures were tempered by very few hot days and cooling afternoon sea breezes, while bounteous marri blossom kept the birds away from the grapes. This wine displays a fleshy, opulent girth of white and yellow peach, juicier nectarine, canned sweetcorn and cooler poached pear, all buttressed by nutty oak. Flint, crème pâtissière, almond and frangipane riffs lend complexity, though the oak holds sway on the finish – a little more artefact here.

Pale straw yellow with a golden tinge. Incredibly aromatic nose is on display with this Chardonnay. Lots of citrus, toast, crushed rocks, orange blossoms, tropical fruit and lemon meringue. The ‘Art Series’ shows an impressive, rich texture that is lifted by the generous acid and minerals. The 100% new oak used on this age worthy wine is very well integrated but can be expected to integrate even further with time. Great length and complexity achieved by Leeuwin, showcasing once again that Margaret River is capable of producing world class wines. A great example of New World fruit meets Old World precision. Drink now through 2020+.

92+ The 2012 Chardonnay Art Series shows evolving toast and marzipan notes over a core of ripe apricots, candied ginger and butterscotch. Medium to full-bodied in the mouth with a satiny texture, the palate possesses a wonderful concentration of stone fruit and spice flavors with plenty of racy freshness and a good long finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown