Leeuwin Prelude Chardonnay 2021

93/100 Wine Advocate

The 2021 Prelude Vineyards Chardonnay is a multi-clonal wine: Davis 1, 5, Dijon (95, 96, 76), which is distinct from the Art Series Chardonnay, which is Gingin clone solely. The vineyard sources vary as well as the winemaking practice, allowing the winemaking team to try different processes and vessels in order to tease out different characters and textures. You get almond meal, preserved citrus and graphite. It's complex texturally yet still tight and linear. It's very good—both fresh and satisfying, with lightness and density at once. Flavorsome, lithe and long. Of the designated Prelude batches, 40% to 50% are left unsulfured and stirred twice a week. "Freshness and acidity are the corridor, and we build texture and complexity around that," says Chief Winemaker Tim Lovett. To put the complexity of the Chardonnay program at Leeuwin into context: in 2022, 32 parcels of Chardonnay came into the winery (from the estate and Peppy Park vineyards) waiting to be designated to either Art Series or Prelude; the parcels are then broken down further into batches to trial coopers, winemaking, etc.

By Erin Larkin July 2023