James Halliday 98 Points

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2019 is Australia’s most iconic Chardonnay — a wine that has defined what Australian white wine can be for over four decades, and a benchmark against which all others are measured.

With 98 points from James Halliday, the 2019 is one of the finest expressions of this legendary wine in recent memory.

My Wine Man

This is not just a great Australian Chardonnay. This is one of the great Chardonnays of the world.

Leeuwin Art Series has been produced since 1980, and in that time it has earned a reputation that places it alongside the finest white Burgundies on the global stage. The 2019 is a cool vintage expression — taut, precise and glittering with purity and finesse.

As Halliday noted, Art Series on release is an achingly beautiful thing — closed and coiled, but populated by rippling fruit that undulates through an interminably long finish. This wine will not reveal its full kaleidoscopic complexity for years yet. But it is already extraordinary.

In my view, this is the finest Australian Chardonnay available at any price. If you are serious about white wine, this belongs in your cellar.

What makes this wine stand out

This is all about purity, precision and the singular character of Margaret River’s finest Chardonnay site.

Citrus, white peach, nectarine and subtle floral notes define the nose, underpinned by a fine mineral backbone and the most delicate oak integration — present but never dominant.

The defining feature is the finish — extraordinarily long, focused and persistent, with layers of spice and fruit that continue to unfold long after the glass is empty.

Aligned in style with the celebrated 2017 vintage, the 2019 is built for the long term.

Style / drinking window

Full-bodied with citrus, white peach, nectarine and subtle mineral and spice notes.

Finely integrated oak, precise acidity and extraordinary length provide structure, elegance and decades of ageing potential.

Drinking well now with decanting, but will reach its peak drinking window from 2026 onwards and continue to develop through the 2030s and beyond.

Why this is a smart buy

At HK$588, Leeuwin Art Series 2019 represents extraordinary value for a 98-point icon wine with a four-decade track record.

It delivers:

• Australia’s most celebrated and age-worthy Chardonnay
• 98 Halliday points — one of the highest scores ever awarded to an Australian white wine
• decades of cellaring potential from a cool, precise vintage

Ideal for fine dining, special occasions, lobster, abalone, scallops or cellaring for a milestone event.

Explore the Leeuwin Estate range

• Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay 2020 → same wine / newer vintage
• Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay 2024 → same estate / more approachable / earlier drinking
• Pierro Margaret River Chardonnay 2021 → peer-level premium / richer / different style

Life’s too short for bad wine.