94 points James Halliday (Wine Companion): "Wild ferment, high solids, 10 months in 35-40% new oak. The cooler ‘19 vintage produced saline acid which is fine and tight. Almond meal and cashew initially; the mid palate and beyond shows attractive exotic spice complexity and great length of flavour. Green pistachio, yellow peach and brine. Regular lees stirring has built texture, but it is the intensity of fruit that makes this great: the Leeuwin chardonnay DNA is evident from the first mouthful. Closure: Screwcap. 13.5% alcohol. Drink by 2027. (Oct 2020)"
93 points Sarah Ahmed (Decanter): "Late January rain refreshed this unirrigated vineyard, and perfectly ripe Chardonnay was harvested in early March. Burgundy clones and an element of natural ferment with turbid juice give a savoury accent and pillowy, creamy, oatmeal tones, while perfumed pear and white peach flesh out a persistent backbone of zesty lime acidity. Burgundian barrels (40% new) add classy toasted hazelnut and vanilla nuances. Well made, complete and raring to go. Drinking Window: 2021-2026. (Feb 2021)"
92 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "Bright straw-yellow. Fresh melon, tangerine, vanilla and a hint of ginger on the intensely perfumed nose. Juicy and tightly focused on the palate, offering Meyer lemon, honeydew, white peach, honeysuckle and sweet butter flavors accented by a smoky mineral nuance. Silky and focused on the impressively persistent finish, which leaves chalky mineral and floral notes behind. Drink: 2023-2030. (Jul 2021)"
92 points James Suckling: "Such impressive richness and concentration to the fruit here with a wealth of ripe apricot and peach on the nose. Some gentle hazelnut, too. The palate is so fleshy and vividly intense and offers a very flavorful style, in the classically powerful yet balanced Margaret River mode. Drink or hold. Screw cap. (5/31/21)"
92 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$36 list] Prelude once again provides an approachable modern Aussie bottling. It's ripe, but delicately so, opening with freshly sliced melon and peach, flint, toasted nuts and a faint umami note. The palate follows a similar trajectory, with lovely citrus fruit purity and an easy-going vibe. Food friendly but also totally delicious on its own, this could cellar until around 2026 but why bother? Drink up! (Jul 2022)"
93 points Sarah Ahmed (Decanter): "Late January rain refreshed this unirrigated vineyard, and perfectly ripe Chardonnay was harvested in early March. Burgundy clones and an element of natural ferment with turbid juice give a savoury accent and pillowy, creamy, oatmeal tones, while perfumed pear and white peach flesh out a persistent backbone of zesty lime acidity. Burgundian barrels (40% new) add classy toasted hazelnut and vanilla nuances. Well made, complete and raring to go. Drinking Window: 2021-2026. (Feb 2021)"
92 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "Bright straw-yellow. Fresh melon, tangerine, vanilla and a hint of ginger on the intensely perfumed nose. Juicy and tightly focused on the palate, offering Meyer lemon, honeydew, white peach, honeysuckle and sweet butter flavors accented by a smoky mineral nuance. Silky and focused on the impressively persistent finish, which leaves chalky mineral and floral notes behind. Drink: 2023-2030. (Jul 2021)"
92 points James Suckling: "Such impressive richness and concentration to the fruit here with a wealth of ripe apricot and peach on the nose. Some gentle hazelnut, too. The palate is so fleshy and vividly intense and offers a very flavorful style, in the classically powerful yet balanced Margaret River mode. Drink or hold. Screw cap. (5/31/21)"
92 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$36 list] Prelude once again provides an approachable modern Aussie bottling. It's ripe, but delicately so, opening with freshly sliced melon and peach, flint, toasted nuts and a faint umami note. The palate follows a similar trajectory, with lovely citrus fruit purity and an easy-going vibe. Food friendly but also totally delicious on its own, this could cellar until around 2026 but why bother? Drink up! (Jul 2022)"
| Product SKU | 343267 |
| Producer | Leeuwin |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Western Australia |
| SubRegion | Margaret River |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | White |
| ABV | 13.5% |
| Ships To |
