LEEUWIN Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2013

Robert Parker Score: 96 points

Reviewer: Erin Larkin — July 2023 Week 113 Mar 2025

Drink 2025–2043

The 2013 Art Series Chardonnay has only slightly more color in the glass than the pre-release 2022 vintage alongside it. It's very impressive for a Chardonnay 12 years from harvest. Lest we forget the security and impact of the screw-cap closure. On the nose, there is almond meal, yellow peach, nectarine and nashi pear. The wine is creamy and plump on the palate, but as mentioned in my review of the 1995, the wine is driven by the phenolic structure, undulating, powerful and serious, firm and long. This was made from handpicked fruit from Block 20 and 22 (planted in 1976 and 1978, respectively). Five percent of the cuvée was whole-bunch fermented in 100% new oak, while the balance was destemmed, crushed and pressed to 100% new oak, mainly Bordelais. Sulfured post-ferment in order to discourage malolactic fermentation, both Block 20 (concentration) and 22 (minerality) components remained in barrel for 11 months prior to blending and bottling.