The 2020 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series from Margaret River, Western Australia, has garnered substantial acclaim from professional wine reviewers, earning high praise across the board. This Chardonnay, produced by Leeuwin Estate, is notable for its complexity, balance, and exceptional length.
The Real Review awarded the wine a score of 97, describing it as "Pale lemon yellow" with "white nectarine, sea spray, roast hazelnut, and crushed sage aromatics." The review highlights the wine's intensity and layered complexity, noting its "saline minerality, touch of struck flint and layers upon layers of delicate oak spices." The wine's finish is described as "never-ending," showcasing its remarkable persistence and depth.
Wine Front also rated this Chardonnay 97 points, emphasizing its balance of elegance and power. The review notes the presence of "peach, cedarwood, white flower, ginger, and custard-like characters," all seamlessly integrated. The review praises the wine's "brilliant length" and "off-hand confidence," calling it a "super release."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the 2020 vintage an even higher score of 98. The review highlights the moderate to warm growing season and compacted harvest period in Margaret River, noting the wine's "power and density." The review describes the wine as "tight and green in the glass" with flavors of "salted pear, white peach, nectarine, red apple skins, preserved citrus and crushed shell." The wine's staggering length and consistent winemaking approach are also praised.
Halliday Wine Companion awarded the wine 97 points, describing it as a "pure expression of place" and noting its "refreshing, classy and superfine" nature. The review emphasizes the wine's "outrageously long finish" and its ability to tell the story of Chardonnay's evolution in Margaret River.
James Suckling also scored the wine 97 points, highlighting its "complex aromas of pear distillate, citrus verbena, nougat, cashew, cedar-tinged oak and succulent white peach." The review praises the wine's "transcendental poise and scintillating length," calling it a "superb New World Chardonnay."
Wine Spectator gave the wine a slightly lower score of 95, but still praised it as a "stunning version" of Chardonnay. The review notes the wine's "bright flavors of peach, lemon zest and candied ginger" and its "long, expressive finish," recommending it for consumption through 2036.
Overall, the 2020 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series is a highly regarded wine, celebrated for its complexity, balance, and exceptional length.