Leeuwin Estate Margaret River Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

A cooler and wetter year for the region put up challenges for Cabernet production. And while not as revered as 2020, 2021 still produced some wonderful ageworthy wines. Here we have a gentler Art Series expression with the aromas restrained and shy on first look. A waft of emergent sweet plum, dark cherry and gentle mulberry to start with a swirl of the glass unlocking cedar, subtle bay leaf, pencil lead, dried cranberry and a slightly vegetal tomato bush edge. The palate is in a similar mould with fruit notes akin to the nose coating the mouth along with savoury graphite and bay leaf. All of this before ribbons of gravelly tannins team up with fresh fruit-laced acidity to a clean and fresh close. This doesn’t hit the heights of other Art Series Cabernets from the surrounding years, but it still carries trademark elegance, length and complexity.