Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Margaret River Australia

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 was made by winemaker Paul Atwood and only released recently when ready to drink. This wine from Margaret River has all the pedigree one would expect from this part of the world, deep blackberry aromas marry with a touch of mint blended with sweet spices. On the mouth there is a sort of saltiness which amplifies the black and red fruit flavours mixed up with spice and cedar box smokiness. The blend contains 13% Malbec and this shows in the sweetness of the fruit. The wine has a good acidic backbone with a slightly warming finish which is long and fruity, the overall feel of this wine is lean and fruity, not fat or flaccid, the strength of flavour runs through its heart. The tannins are fine and savoury and well integrated. Great for sitting on a cool Sunday afternoon next to an open fire - the bottle will not last long!
A great wine for food, enjoy with duck, beef and many savoury well seasoned foods. It is available at a cost of £27 from Four Wall Wines.
Score : 90


Margaret River

Located approximately three hours' drive south of Perth, the region was ‘discovered’ in the early 1970s after various pieces of research from Professor Harold Olmo and Dr John Gladstones identified it as a potentially great grape growing region. The Margaret River area includes the rolling hills of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, extending 90 kilometres north-south between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin, and is bounded to the west by the Indian Ocean. Highly regarded as a producer of powerful yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignon, the region has also forged a great reputation for its white wines notably Chardonnay and Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends. However, it is capable of producing all the classic varietal wines. The region is a vibrant and popular wine destination for visitors from around the world.

Margaret River wine region first saw European settlement as late as the 1830’s and has evolved from pioneer ‘outstation’, forestry, dairy, alternative life stylers who enjoyed the unique coast and its surfing to an area dedicated to the pursuit of great vines and fine wine.

The climate is strongly maritime-influenced, as might be expected in a region surrounded by the ocean on three sides. With a mean annual temperature range of only 7.6°C (45.68°F), it has less than 25% of its annual rain falling between October and April. The low diurnal and seasonal temperature range means an unusually even accumulation of warmth. While spring frosts are very rare and highly localised, the lack of winter dormancy for the vines can cause problems that are unique to this region.