In keeping with the Aussie theme from a recent Grange dinner (1997-2001, 1998 was the clear winner), this was brought as a starter.
With about 9yrs on it, this is the oldest Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay I’ve had, and I’m impressed at the evolution. Slightly reductive (sweet smoke) upon opening, but it added great character. Color was a beautiful deep yellow (but not oxidized gold). Tropical (white peach, nectarine) but also honeyed cashews and honeysuckle aromatically. Great depth on the mid-palate with added tropical notes carried by faint oak but a distinct mineral driven finish. Drinking beautifully. Wish I had more. — 2 years ago
Nectarine, white peach, rhubarb, herbal. Local summer. IYKYK. — 3 months ago
Honeysuckle and nectarine with a hint of almond (paired beautifully with the almond cake it was served with). — 10 months ago
White pear, white peach, nectarine, crushed stone, white pepper, high acidity. Expensive Rose. May or may not be worth it. — 2 years ago
The 2023 Rosé is deep, complex and layered, with ripe nectarine, rose garden and sweet cherry fruit notes. Beautifully expressive and floral on the nose, savory, salty mineral tones meet red berry freshness and an undercurrent of spice in the mouth. A touch of almond bitterness grabs at the edges of the tongue toward the close, striking great harmony with a rounded sweetness. Bravo. (Billy Norris, Vinous, May 2024)
— 6 months ago
This is “will never forget the first time I tried it” level. Definitely greatest wine I’ve ever tasted in its category, possibly best sweet wine. Starts much paler than I expected, light gold. Nose is a journey, surprises with freshness, liveliness though with the highest concentration imaginable. White peach, white nectarine, lychee, rose water, intense white florals, an after-rain sense of freshness. On the palate yet another surprise: so much minerality (!!!) that the intensity gets carried by bright, almost riesling-like acidity and the insane amount of sugar is so well balanced that it’s barely noticeable until the crazy long finish. What a ride!!! — a year ago
Zach D
Nose: candied peach, hint of nectarine, white flowers, petrol. Also with a background of slightly green herbal character which is pleasant.
Palate: perfectly ripe peach, slight saline quality. Delectable this is jj prum graacher himmelreich kabinett 2020 — a month ago