Cabernet Sauvignon Art Series, Leeuwin Estate 2013

Destemmed, crushed, matured for 12 months in French oak (40% new). The unadorned purity of this cabernet follows precisely in the footsteps of its predecessors. It is unlike most other Margaret River cabernets, a red brother to the Art Series Chardonnay, even if not quite as magical as that wine. The '13 regional vintage was highly rated at the time, a rating justified today.

Leeuwin's 2013 Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon may be the best version of this wine I've ever tasted. It manages to be ripe and rich while still being svelte and medium-bodied. Baking spices and cedar appear on the nose, but this isn't an oaky wine—those elements are just seasoning for the red and black currant fruit. A creamy, slightly lactic note builds the mid-palate without adding excess weight, while hints of sage and bay leaf linger on the silky finish. Drink Date 2017 - 2028