96 Points James Halliday | Elegant, Pure Margaret River Cabernet

My Wine Man on Leeuwin Estate

Leeuwin Estate is one of Margaret River’s founding wineries, with the Art Series representing the pinnacle of its range. Its Cabernet appeal is not simply about concentration: cassis fruit, savoury detail and refined tannins give it a distinctive sense of balance. This is a style for those who value precision and length as much as richness.

The 2020 expresses that identity through a beautifully composed combination of cassis, currants, woodsy spice and leafy freshness. Oak provides lift rather than dominating the wine, while fine tannins and equally fine acidity keep the medium-bodied palate flowing. For us, its attraction is the way everything works together, with no single element demanding attention at the expense of the whole.

Tasting Notes

“An elegant, classy wine and irresistible as a result. Perfectly composed flavours of cassis and currants, woodsy spices and leafy freshness with a lift of oak, all as one here. Beautiful fine tannins glide across the medium-bodied palate, the equally fine acidity cleansing and invigorating, and it finishes long and very pure. Gosh, this is excellent.”

96 Points, James Halliday.

Style & Drinking Window

A dry, medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with fine, gliding tannins, invigorating acidity and a long, pure finish. Our suggested drinking window is 2026–2038, subject to storage and your preference for fresh cassis or more developed savoury character. Begin with a 45–60 minute decant, tasting as it opens, and serve at around 16–18°C. Choose this for elegance and harmony rather than sheer weight.

Food Pairing

The cassis fruit, woodsy spice and leafy freshness of the 2020 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon make it a refined match for Australian Frozen Grass-Fed Cape Grim Rib-Eye Steak from My Meat Man. The wine’s cassis and currant flavours complement the rib-eye’s rich, juicy texture, while its woodsy spice and leafy notes echo the savoury character of a browned crust and fresh herbs. Fine tannins and cleansing acidity keep the pairing balanced, whether charcoal-grilled, pan-seared with rosemary, or reverse-seared and finished in a hot skillet.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$399, this offers a 96-point Cabernet from Leeuwin Estate’s Art Series, with its appeal grounded in elegance, integration and length. The supplied review highlights a wine whose fruit, oak, tannin and acidity are already working together, making it a considered choice for a special dinner as well as further cellaring. Buy it for the refinement of the experience, not simply the score.

Looking for a Different Style?

2018 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon: a more concentrated Margaret River expression with raspberry, pomegranate and saline savoury detail.

2020 St Hallett Butchers Cart Shiraz: generous Barossa blackberry and plum, with exotic spice and dense, textured tannins.

2016 Grant Burge Filsell Old Vine Shiraz: concentrated black fruit, chocolate and liquorice in a supple, full-bodied style.