Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 | The Mouton-Rothschild of Australia

If you collect Cabernet, or simply keep it well-stocked for your friends and loved ones, this lithe and supple Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 is unbeatable. A prominent kiwi critic, Bob Campbell MW, called this “clean, fresh and alive, with bright black fruit and violet aromas, touches of cedar and toasty oak, the palate very deep and concentrated, with lush fruit and abundant tannins, which counter-balance the fruit and sweetness.

Dubbed “the Mouton-Rothschild of Australia.  Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 bursts forth with sumptuous, high-toned aromas of black currants, chocolate, cedar and a cool minty underbrush note. While medium-bodied, with around and generous mouthfeel, fine-grained tannins give way to a creamy finish. Delicious. Drink now if you must and enjoy through to 2030.

JS96 | Aromas of black licorice, blackberry, and rust. Hot stone. Full body, layered and juicy with loads of fresh fruit and chewy tannins. Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 is sexy, muscular cabernet with tone and focus. Screw cap. Hard not to drink now. Better in 2022 but gorgeous now.

We love a good smile

We love a good smile. And James Suckling gave us the best one ever when he called Leeuwin Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon “the Mouton-Rothschild of Australia.” So, then, just how does this Australian First Growth compare to the tried and true Bordeaux First Growths? One glance at our chart, and you’ll see that from Suckling’s vantage point.  Most of all, it fares extraordinarily well.

More Sensational Cellar Selections

While In 2013, from Mouton to Margaux, Suckling rated the First Growths 94-95 points. As for the “hard not to drink now” Leeuwin? It earned a whopping 96 points. Yet, when you compare the triple-digit prices of the Bordeaux Growths to the Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 from Margaret River — it’s a no-brainer.  So, at $49.95 a bottle, Leeuwin looks like the bargain First Growth of the century.

Art Series Wines

The “Art Series” wines are the richest and most age-worthy from Leeuwin’s collection, showcasing the site’s terrific pedigree. While rising roughly 200 feet above sea level, the vineyard benefits from deep, mineral-rich, gravel soils.  Consequently lending finesse to the wines, and a cool maritime climate. Therefore, the Leeuwin team, under the direction of Tim Lovett, pick by individual parcels, allowing the vines to achieve maximum ripeness.

Hogans & Mondavi

Denis and Tricia Hogan established one of the founding estates of Margaret River, planting their first vines in the region in the early 1970s. In 1972, an American wine legend — Robert Mondavi — reached out to the Hogans to inform them that they had terroir capable of producing world-class wines.

With the help of Mondavi’s close mentorship, Leeuwin was founded in 1973, and within years it would become the benchmark for excellence in the country, racking up dozens of 90+ scores. The winery burst onto the international stage when Decanter magazine awarded its highest honors to the 1980 Art Series following a blind tasting.