Leeuwin Art Series

This just might be the value buy from the Art Series range – actually, from recent releases, it surely is. From a stellar vintage, the fruit was individually berry sorted with 20% whole bunches added to the ferment. Total maturation was for a year and a half in a mix of new and slightly older barriques and larger format French oak. A dark mauve/maroon colour here, this is beautifully structured. The aromas weave through black fruits, plums, graphite, chocolate, aniseed, smoked meats and bay leaves. The oak has been superbly handled. This is an exquisite example of Margaret River Shiraz, one of the absolute elite. It is finely balanced with an attractively supple texture, laser-like focus and impressive length. A refined style, with melting tannins, which will continue to provide enormous pleasure over the next decade. One of their very best.

Leeuwin's Art Series Shiraz has suffered from a soapy oak quality in the past, and while this vintage is sans soap, it's just as, if not more, oaky. A shame, seeing as the fruit is obviously top-notch. It's on display in the form of raspberry, plum, licorice, bay leaf, graphite and winter warming spice characters. Medium bodied, there's a lovely line of acidity, finely knit tannins and a chalky texture. The wood creeps in here, too, particularly on the finish. In spite of this, there's a lot of fine winemaking here. Drink now–2026.