2022 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon

A wonderfully fragrant, mid weighted Cabernet that shows great finesse.

A blend of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Malbec matured in French oak (50% new) for a period of 22 months. Dense midnight black colour with a dark red black tinged hue. Wonderfully intense, the nose is brimming with fresh black currant, mulberry and violet scents which are complimented by cedary tobacco, dusty earth, black olive and bay leaf notes. The refined mid weighted palate is layered with red to black currant and mulberry fruits which are underscored by spicy vanillin cedar, tobacco, earth and bay leaf characters. Fine grained yet sturdy tannin structure that imparts a mild firmness across the long, finessed finish.
Drink over the next 10-12 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews….
The 2022 Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon hails from a warm and dry vintage in Margaret River, one that is showing to be a very high-quality Cabernet vintage. The palate shows a pure core of raspberry and blood orange, nori and raw cocoa, even chinotto-esque in its leanings, with bramble and forest floor, graphite and cracked fennel seed. This is a velvety, tightly controlled, compact and excellent wine. The oak shows ever so slightly on the nose, in the form of malt biscuit and aniseed. This will be quickly subsumed by the fruit in a short time. Drink 2025-2042.
97+ points
Erin Larkin – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate

This is yet another release that shows the continual transformation of Leeuwin cabernets into now some of the very best in the region. It was a terrific year for producing fruit of exceptional varietal expression and intensity, and real balance. This is largely cabernet but again, a tiny percentage of malbec plays an important role. It's had about 50% new French oak for nine months, and overall spends about 22 months in oak. It retains an elegance and poise, yet at the same time, it's powerful and intense. Blackcurrant, a little leaf, a touch of oyster shell, and even a fragrant lift of violet on the nose. It's seamlessly integrated with fine chalky tannins and fine oak. This is as good as any cabernet released yet from Leeuwin. Cellar 20 years.
97 points
RayJordanWine.com.au

There is debate in the Margaret River region as to whether 2022 or 2023 is the better vintage. It is a line ball decision – both were wonderful, so consumers simply can’t lose – but I’d probably opt for the younger year by a whisker. All that means is that fans of this wine just might have something even more exciting down the track. The initial maturation for this wine was in French oak, 50% of which were new. The parcels were then blended and further maturation, a total of 22 months, took place in ‘French Bordelaise coopered barriques’. A vibrant maroon hue, the nose exhibits aromas of tobacco leaves, licorice, blackberries, truffles, graphite, cigar boxes and mulberries, with deftly handled oak, providing a flick of vanilla which sits comfortably. Balanced and lingering, with underlying intensity and juicy acidity, this has a seductive texture and will continue to improve for many years. Enjoy over the next ten to fifteen years. Leeuwin’s Art Series Cab now sits among the very best from the region. Drink 2025-2040.
96 points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com

One of the most elegant Art Series wines to date, yet it still has plenty of detail and power, it just feels more composed. A whorl of mulberries and blackberries all spiced up with cedary oak and cinnamon, licorice root and nori. The more mid-weighted palate is very even, with beautifully judged cocoa powder-like tannins. The invigorating acidity lengthens out the finish. It’s singing now yet will age gracefully. Bravo.
96 points
Jane Faulkner - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion