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  • 92

1992 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon

Margaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA
$79. 99
Bottle
$959.88 Dozen
Closure: Cork

Developed brick red colour with tawny hue. Superb nose of cedar and spice, followed by layers of tobacco and truffle – a refined sniff. Outstanding complex palate flavours with layers of cedar, tobacco, spice and leather. Perfectly meshed and balanced. Excellent length, followed by a very long aftertaste of tobacco, spice and leather. A wine that has evolved superbly.
Drink (2003)
Alc/Vol: 13.5%

RATING: 92/100

VALUE: XXXX/5

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the worlds great wines. It set out in the beginning to achieve that goal and echoed the packaging of Chateau Mouton Rothschild - a brave move with the Art Series labels. Baron Philippe's Mouton was once outside the classification of the first growths but with determination and a succession of masterly wines Chateau Mouton Rothschild gained status as a first growth in 1973. To endeavour to interpret the rationale of modelling Leeuwin on Mouton is to seek answers in the ambitions of men to reach ultimate goals - to aspire to be the best. And indeed comparisons between Leeuwin Cabernet and Chateau Mouton Rothschild could easily be drawn - until the 1992 vintage. This wine is a departure from the 1991 vintage which was spectacular and considered by the Leeuwin winemaking team as one of their best - and exceptional it was. The 1992 inspired by the great wine of Bordeaux - is not a Mouton - it is Margaux in its style and construction - and is drinking superbly now, its silky smooth tannins ensure that, however, it still has considerable keeping potential.The 1992 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec and 2.5% Petit Verdot. Allier, Troncais, Nevers and Vosges oak casks were used, with a third being new, medium toast - adding a smoky character to the wine. Winemaker Bob Cartwright summarises the wine " The potential of this wine is exceptional and reflects that the 1992 vintage also ranks with the 1991 and 1982 as outstanding".

First Tasted: August 1996
Deep crimson/brick red colour. The nose is magnificent and immediately appealing - fragrant, violets, perfumed confectionary with earthy overtones. It's clearly an international wine - Bordeaux inspired. But there is real finesse here - a sublime pursuit of flavour with rich ripe fruits and new toasted French oak superbly integrated. There is great depth and persistence here, ripe mulberries, blackcurrants, confectionary spice with ripe plums and a hint of liquorice - it's a beautifully balanced drink - very long dark chocolate spice and toasty oak aftertaste - a wine of wonderful finesse and pure drinking pleasure.