1992 Art Series Chardonnay

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Excellent growing season with most varieties being picked later than normal. The summer was dry but for a few hot days the temperatures were relatively mild. The yield was slightly above average but with high quality.

The wine has a brilliant transparent straw, lime yellow colour. The nose has incredible richness and softness combined with pears and fragrant hazelnuts. The barrel fermentation and maturation influence on the wine is integrated and subtle. On the palate there is freshness and richness with delicate pear flavours and a harmonious mouth feel. The wood complexes the wine nicely and the hazelnut flavours carry through to the clean finish which lingers on and on. An outstanding Chardonnay style, which will improve with good cellaring and one of our best to be released.

Comments

Almost lemony it's so crisp, but it has a welcome hint of honey to round out the citrusy flavour on the finish. Best after 2002.
Wine Spectator comments (as at November 1999) 89 points
Light to medium yellow-green; the bouquet is as stylish as ever, with tangy melon and white peach fruit married with high quality French oak and all the signs of sophisticated winemaking, together with an element of bottle maturation. The palate is marvellously balanced and constructed, with fine, long citrus and melon fruit, the oak evident but in no way assertive. A quite lovely wine right up with the best of the Leeuwin Estate Chardonnays.
James Halliday comments (as at October 1995)

Comments featured on www.winepros.com.au, May 8th 2001

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