98 points Angus Hughson (Vinous): "[$130 list] This stunning 2021 Margaret River Chardonnay Art Series shows beautiful racy lines with a slick and seamless style as it bursts with toasted cashews, melon, lemon peel and pith aromas lifted by mandarin rind. Fabulous fruit density with immense power yet retaining refinement and shape over a long, strong finish. Energetic, vibrant, perfectly formed and built for the long haul. Drink: 2030-2044. (May 2024)"
98 points Decanter: "2021 was marginally cooler for whites, and while this is young, its power is irrepressible yet it also shows restraint and harmony. A fine gauze of delicate florals and spice tucked behind structure, power and tension. Tuberose, green peppercorn, pear skin, preserved lemon, green cardamon and peach blossom. The palate offers jewelled hues of peach pit; a little flint, lots of wet stone minerality and crushed white sage dance with a very fine thread of salinity and lacy acidity. This takes time to unravel and unfurl, but once it does, it's got everything. The structure is superb and the 100% new oak meticulosity managed. Is this the greatest Art Series yet? Drinking Window: 2024-2044. (3/14/24)"
97 points Erin Larkin (Wine Advocate): "Leeuwin seems to be striding from strength to strength. The ever-dependable, consistent, age-worthy Art Series Chardonnay is great every season. It is always a reflection of the vintage, but it is Art Series Chardonnay first. The style is entrenched in the history of the wine, and as the vines gain in age, the fruit spectrum of the wines expand in complexity. So, each year seems to be "better than ever," and that makes sense when you drill down into site and production, both of which are tightly controlled to a high level of detail. While the 2021 Art Series Chardonnay is arguably finer than the 2020 or undoubtedly the 2022 yet to be released, it makes an impact as an excellent Art Series Chardonnay and sits beside the 2017 in style. Drink: 2024-2041. (7/3/24)"
97 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "Pithy white grapefruit, flint and lime skin sit above high quality nougat and salt crust in a lifted and intense opening, before an unfolding of praline, florals, ginger, cedar and saline minerality. Air and warmth unlock riper notes of nectarine, quince and lees derived salted pastry dough making for an overall complex and defined aromatic profile. The palate has excellent power, texture and structure, commanding the mouth with waves of grapefruit, salted lime, nectarine skin, citrus preserves, nuts and cedar in a creamy but tensile aesthetic. The wine’s acidity is a feature, piercing through it all along with chalky phenolics cutting the fat to elicit salivating freshness, and saline length. Incredibly long length, in fact. This has so much presence and power while still finely detailed and complex. An outstanding release. Drink from 2025-2038. Tasted Dec 2024."
97 points Jane Faulkner (Wine Companion): "There’s always an anticipation when a new vintage arrives. This doesn’t disappoint – it’s archetypal Art Series: powerful, rich and layered with flavour from stone fruit, pink grapefruit and Meyer lemon to a touch of mandarin. The palate builds with creamy lees, oak spice and some phenolics – the oak is superbly integrated, and pure acidity leads this to a persistent finish. Impressive as always. (2/15/24)"
96 points Wine Spectator: "This aromatic white finds the tension between power and restraint. There's plenty of ruby grapefruit, Meyer lemon and sage notes up front on a sleek, juicy, polished frame. Himalayan salt, apple blossom, toasted sesame seed and tangerine grace notes integrate seamlessly. Drink now through 2037. 800 cases imported. (10/23/24)"
98 points Decanter: "2021 was marginally cooler for whites, and while this is young, its power is irrepressible yet it also shows restraint and harmony. A fine gauze of delicate florals and spice tucked behind structure, power and tension. Tuberose, green peppercorn, pear skin, preserved lemon, green cardamon and peach blossom. The palate offers jewelled hues of peach pit; a little flint, lots of wet stone minerality and crushed white sage dance with a very fine thread of salinity and lacy acidity. This takes time to unravel and unfurl, but once it does, it's got everything. The structure is superb and the 100% new oak meticulosity managed. Is this the greatest Art Series yet? Drinking Window: 2024-2044. (3/14/24)"
97 points Erin Larkin (Wine Advocate): "Leeuwin seems to be striding from strength to strength. The ever-dependable, consistent, age-worthy Art Series Chardonnay is great every season. It is always a reflection of the vintage, but it is Art Series Chardonnay first. The style is entrenched in the history of the wine, and as the vines gain in age, the fruit spectrum of the wines expand in complexity. So, each year seems to be "better than ever," and that makes sense when you drill down into site and production, both of which are tightly controlled to a high level of detail. While the 2021 Art Series Chardonnay is arguably finer than the 2020 or undoubtedly the 2022 yet to be released, it makes an impact as an excellent Art Series Chardonnay and sits beside the 2017 in style. Drink: 2024-2041. (7/3/24)"
97 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "Pithy white grapefruit, flint and lime skin sit above high quality nougat and salt crust in a lifted and intense opening, before an unfolding of praline, florals, ginger, cedar and saline minerality. Air and warmth unlock riper notes of nectarine, quince and lees derived salted pastry dough making for an overall complex and defined aromatic profile. The palate has excellent power, texture and structure, commanding the mouth with waves of grapefruit, salted lime, nectarine skin, citrus preserves, nuts and cedar in a creamy but tensile aesthetic. The wine’s acidity is a feature, piercing through it all along with chalky phenolics cutting the fat to elicit salivating freshness, and saline length. Incredibly long length, in fact. This has so much presence and power while still finely detailed and complex. An outstanding release. Drink from 2025-2038. Tasted Dec 2024."
97 points Jane Faulkner (Wine Companion): "There’s always an anticipation when a new vintage arrives. This doesn’t disappoint – it’s archetypal Art Series: powerful, rich and layered with flavour from stone fruit, pink grapefruit and Meyer lemon to a touch of mandarin. The palate builds with creamy lees, oak spice and some phenolics – the oak is superbly integrated, and pure acidity leads this to a persistent finish. Impressive as always. (2/15/24)"
96 points Wine Spectator: "This aromatic white finds the tension between power and restraint. There's plenty of ruby grapefruit, Meyer lemon and sage notes up front on a sleek, juicy, polished frame. Himalayan salt, apple blossom, toasted sesame seed and tangerine grace notes integrate seamlessly. Drink now through 2037. 800 cases imported. (10/23/24)"
| Product SKU | 350599 |
| Producer | Leeuwin |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | WAV |
| SubRegion | MRV |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | White |
| ABV | 13.5% |
| Ships To |
