TN: 2018 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series

[James_Billy]

Yes, Stelvin. Still have 98, 02, 03 in cork.

Kris. Thanks. That stacks up with my assumptions about Leeuwin switching to screw caps aroundc2004-2005.

Good luck with the dreaded pox.

Been selling Leeuwin in WA since 2001, our first stelvin vintage was 2005, which buyers weren’t thrilled with for a $55 MR Chard as stelvin wasn’t widely accepted here yet. We switched back to cork one year, 2007, I believe, as they were bottling both types depending on market. Never had an a poxed one, although 1998 may be a bit over the hill. Will open and see!

Kris. Thanks. Interesting information. As my link above show, there were some premioxed bottles until screw caps were introduced.

Tasting Notes grouped by Vintage

[Kris_Patten]

Dang! They will barely have slapped the Stelvins onto these puppies yet! I picture Jeremy standing at the end of the bottling line and grabbing one of the first bottles to try each year. You know, just in case it’s slightly more or slightly less brilliant than usual ! Remarkably consistent.

FWIW, I had a perfectly sound (though mature) 1998 back half of last year.

Thanks Rauno! Color looks great, so very positive it will show.

[Rauno_E_NZ]

Let us know how it tastes once you’ve opened it Kris !

[Jonathan_Grunzweig]

Jonathan, I haven’t drunk a lot of recent Giaconda. The mid '90’s wines however would be Australia’s Chevalier-Montrachet. I put the 1993 in a bracket of Chevalier a few years ago and it well and truly held its own.

I had a 2010 Giaconda this evening, and it just wasn’t up to snuff. My TN:

A vexing bottle, with enticing aromatics which unfortunately outshined the palate. I liked the slightly reductive, oak-spiced nose, along with creamy apple and citrus scents. In the mouth, though, the fruit was somewhat subdued, and the wine lacked tension and grip. I am not sure if this was bottle variation, a past-peak wine or something else, but I did expect more energy and power.

Jonathan

[Kent_Comley]

Jonathan, I haven’t drunk a lot of recent Giaconda. The mid '90’s wines however would be Australia’s Chevalier-Montrachet. I put the 1993 in a bracket of Chevalier a few years ago and it well and truly held its own.

I had a 2010 Giaconda this evening, and it just wasn’t up to snuff. My TN:

A vexing bottle, with enticing aromatics which unfortunately outshined the palate. I liked the slightly reductive, oak-spiced nose, along with creamy apple and citrus scents. In the mouth, though, the fruit was somewhat subdued, and the wine lacked tension and grip. I am not sure if this was bottle variation, a past-peak wine or something else, but I did expect more energy and power.

Jonathan

Jonathan, I do find Giaconda Chardonnays to be a bit variable. Sometimes they are seem too funky, leesy and worked for my palate, but when they are on they are special. They certainly are textural.

[Kent_Comley]

And opened a 2014 Leeuwin Chardonnay teh other night. Oak was still a feature and I was looking foir more tension. Suspect in an awkward phase as was really lovely on release.