Awards, Ratings & Reviews
99/100 — Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot · 2023 Vintage · Published: March 2026
“This brilliant Chardonnay will surely come to be ranked, not only amongst the best ever from this legendary estate, not only among the best from this thrilling region, but among the best Australia has ever made. This is Grand Cru quality at what has sadly become Village pricing. A profound Chardonnay destined to become a bucketlist wine. A very pale lemon with a vaguely green hint running through it, this is pristine, intense, beautifully balanced and seamless. The oak has almost been completely absorbed, although it is fair to say that it'll probably look even better in twelve months. The wine is, however, immensely enjoyable now. The nose reveals hints of apricot flesh, limes, citrus skins, oatmeal, Madagascan vanilla, gentle touches of grilled cashews, stonefruits and jasmine. Such intensity but meshed with freshness, energy and elegance. Powerful but poised, there is incredible length here, seemingly never-ending, with laser-sharp acidity just one of the many components. There is complexity already evident, although one suspects it is a shadow of what is to come. The intensity never wavers for an instant over the full journey. Stunning stuff, it will still be magnificent in twenty years, likely even more so, and still have life ahead of it. Leeuwin have made some mindbogglingly good Chardonnays over the years, but I think none better.”
98/100 — Huon Hooke, The Real Review · 2023 Vintage · Published: 15 March 2026
“Light bright yellow, a very youthful colour for a 2023, and the bouquet is likewise fresh but also seriously detailed, with creamy lees, malt, nougat, beeswax and custard apple aromas, the palate similarly complex and profound, with a chew of oaky tannins that lingers on the aftertaste. Long, long carry. A very powerful chardonnay, searingly intense and strongly structured, and needing more time yet to come into full harmony. Outstanding.”
97/100 — Gary Walsh, The Wine Front · 2023 Vintage · Published: March 2026
“Lime and finger lime, Solo! (though ideally don’t slam it down fast), fresh pineapple, pear, plenty of clove and ginger oak, aniseed, a light flinty smokiness, honey cashew and white flower perfume. It’s medium-bodied, there’s a richness to fruit and oak here, yet it stays tight and controlled, with pitch-perfect acidity, a light chalkiness to texture, closing with superb length. Power with precision. You can drink it now, sure, though ideally wait for all the components to mesh. It’s an outstanding release.”
“Very good wine. Quite the palate-staining flavour profile. Lots of inward concentration, Glossy and very polished. Not a hair out of place. It feels very fine wine territory, undeniable. And a kind of gulpability to it too; moreish and refreshing. Everything just so. Very, very good wine.”
— Mike Bennie, The Wine Front · 2023 Vintage · Published: March 2026
About This Wine
Concentrated and expressive, with aromas of pear, white peach, lime zest and delicate florals, layered with subtle vanilla and nutty complexity.
The palate is refined and elegant, unfolding with fresh orchard fruit, seamless oak and a long, powerful finish with excellent ageing potential.
Producer Notes
Intensely concentrated and lifted, the nose arrives with a rush, all fresh cut pear, white peach, ripe lime zest and pith, before jasmine, white florals and vanilla pods emerge, rounded out by cashew meal and toasted macadamia.
The palate builds and builds. Gentle, natural acidity is orbited by apple, pear, white nectarine and ripe citrus, all showing their own persistence and drive, but never supplanting the wine’s overarching elegance.
The completely integrated oak and delicate, layered texture serve to subtly, quietly hem in the fruit characters as they fan out. Profoundly powerful and immensely long, this is a wine of distinction with a remarkable life ahead.
Specifications
Vintage: 2023
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Margaret River / Western Australia / Australia