2003 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Vineyards Cabernet/Merlot

Leeuwin Estate is in the Margaret River district. It was planted in 1974 and had its first commercial vintage in 1979. Founders Denis and Tricia Horgan are still the owners and they manage the estate with their son Justin. The estate has 121 acres of vineyards and produces about 60,000 cases a year. It is best known for its Art Series Chardonnay although it also makes “art series” Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. The estate commissions artists to create the art series labels. Since 2002 Leeuwin has bottled all wines with screw caps to avoid cork taint. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “Leeuwin Estate is one of the benchmark wineries of Western Australia. Both reds and whites exhibit cool-climate character and European elegance.”

Western Australia is the nation’s largest state by square miles. However, by population and wine production, it is small. Western Australia covers about a third of Australia but has only about 27,000 square miles of vineyards, which produce about 7% of the nation’s wine. Nevertheless, wine writers Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson have noted that “in quality terms (Western Australia) is very near the top, with a distinctive lightness of touch combined with ripeness of fruit – an unusual combination in Australia.” The region’s winemaking history started in the 1830s and was centered in Swan Valley, which remains an important winemaking region despite its extremely hot, dry weather. By the early 20th century, the Swan Valley was noted for its age-worthy Chenin Blanc, and white wine grapes remain a staple of Swan Valley vineyards. Other important sub regions are the Margaret River area, noted for its lush, maritime landscapes, and the Great Southern sub-appellations. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec and Sauvignon Blanc are the major grapes grown.