“Year in and year out… so consistent.”
Ray Jordan
Even better, there is no charge whatsoever for the cost of storing the 2011 and 2018 wines in temperature-controlled conditions at the winery - provenance is guaranteed. Age-worthiness can also be guaranteed. Like all good Rieslings under screw-cap, the two older wines have retained their freshness while beginning to develop the richer, honeyed notes that come with bottle age. This is an offer not to be missed.
"Machine-picked, no magic in the winery: crushed, destemmed and pressed, cool-fermented in tank with 3 months on fine lees, thence to bottle. The vines are mature and the wine has a purity and precision that utterly belies its maritime climate. Small wonder why, with the benefit of the Leeuwin name, it flows out of the winery at such a rate." 93 points, James Halliday (January 2016)
"Light yellow colour. A trace of paraffin early development on the nose; some toast, but it is quite youthful and fresh. The palate is soft and fruity, tangy and zesty with excellent citrusy flavours of limes and lemons, delicacy, focus and length. Impressive wine. Beautiful now and will certainly age for a while." 95 points, Huon Hooke (August 2012)
Margaret River
Located three hours south of Perth, Margaret River is Western Australia’s most prestigious wine-growing region. Serious vineyard development began only in the late 1960’s following the publication of a report by John Gladstones in 1965 stating that the area had a similar climate to Pomerol or St Emilion, with low frost risk, plenty of sunshine and equable temperatures within the growing season promoting even ripening. Margaret River’s climate is warm and maritime, with some cooling influence provided by southeast trade winds. The soils derive from granitic and a gneissic rock over which laterite has formed. The region can be divided in three sub-regions: the cooler south between Yallingup and Karridale with predominantly lateritic gravelly loamy sands and sandy loams; the warm and sunnier Willyabrup in the centre with predominantly gravelly loams, but some gritty sandy loams and granitic gravels; and Margaret River in the north with similar soils, but slightly cooler temperatures. This is entirely consistent with style; the wines from Willyabrup being more generous than the highly structured wines of the north and the elegant styles of the south. Margaret River is best known for high quality Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blends and top notch Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends. Over the years, the region has established an astonishing reputation illustrating a consistency in quality and a strongly focused winemaking culture.
