The 2016 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay is one of Australia’s most iconic and celebrated Chardonnays, consistently ranked among the finest expressions of the variety worldwide. Produced by Leeuwin Estate, the Art Series Chardonnay represents the pinnacle of the estate’s winemaking, combining power, finesse, and extraordinary ageing potential.
The 2016 vintage in Margaret River is widely regarded as outstanding, delivering fruit of exceptional purity, concentration, and natural balance. The region’s maritime climate, with its cooling ocean influence and long growing season, allows for slow ripening and the development of intense flavour while preserving vibrant acidity—key to the wine’s structure and longevity.
In the winery, fruit was hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed before fermentation in French oak barrels, including a significant proportion of new oak. Extended maturation on lees enhanced texture, complexity, and integration, while careful winemaking ensured the preservation of fruit precision and mineral drive.
The wine opens with layered aromas of white peach, nectarine, and citrus, complemented by notes of lemon curd, cashew, hazelnut, flint, and subtle oak spice. The palate is concentrated yet refined, with a creamy texture balanced by vibrant acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish. With time in bottle, the wine continues to develop additional savoury and nutty complexity.
Already drinking beautifully with aeration, the 2016 Art Series Chardonnay will continue to evolve over 15–25+ years, gaining further depth, richness, and tertiary nuance.
A benchmark Margaret River Chardonnay and a must-have for collectors seeking world-class quality, pedigree, and longevity.
