2020 Leeuwin Estate ‘Prelude’ Cabernet Sauvignon
95 Points Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion
A charming wine and one of the finest Prelude Vineyards releases to date. There’s a fineness to this, subtly from the aromas and flavours to the palate. Medium bodied, supple tannins, a skein of acidity tying everything together and lengthening the palate. It’s a little deceptive, too, because there’s plenty of detail yet it's lovely to drink now. So I did. Drink by 2035.
93+ Points Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front
This is an incredibly impressive Prelude cabernet. Look at the price, look at the quality: if Margaret River cabernet is your thing, get on board. First and foremost it’s a structured red wine, which is exactly as it should be. It tastes of blackcurrant, bay leaves, gravel, choc and mint, with some leafy herb/tobacco notes around about too. It doesn’t quite have the mid-palate concentration or presence for really high points but it comes ultra close, and it promises to drink beautifully both now and in the future. Buy. Drink 2024-2031+
93 points Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
The 2020 Prelude Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is juicy and bright on the nose. Despite its glossy exterior, the wine maintains a freshly turned earth/bramble vibe on the nose, which directly places it as varietally true. A honing beacon, if you will. The moderate to warm 2020 vintage is responsible for the density of fruit flavor in the mouth. Very good. The drinking window is conservative, but it takes into consideration primary fruit, which I personally prefer, to some extent, in most wines. This is characterized by cassis, blueberry, salted licorice, summer raspberry and even a hint of star anise through the finish. Drink 2023-2033.
95 Points Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion
A charming wine and one of the finest Prelude Vineyards releases to date. There’s a fineness to this, subtly from the aromas and flavours to the palate. Medium bodied, supple tannins, a skein of acidity tying everything together and lengthening the palate. It’s a little deceptive, too, because there’s plenty of detail yet it's lovely to drink now. So I did. Drink by 2035.
93+ Points Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front
This is an incredibly impressive Prelude cabernet. Look at the price, look at the quality: if Margaret River cabernet is your thing, get on board. First and foremost it’s a structured red wine, which is exactly as it should be. It tastes of blackcurrant, bay leaves, gravel, choc and mint, with some leafy herb/tobacco notes around about too. It doesn’t quite have the mid-palate concentration or presence for really high points but it comes ultra close, and it promises to drink beautifully both now and in the future. Buy. Drink 2024-2031+
93 points Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
The 2020 Prelude Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is juicy and bright on the nose. Despite its glossy exterior, the wine maintains a freshly turned earth/bramble vibe on the nose, which directly places it as varietally true. A honing beacon, if you will. The moderate to warm 2020 vintage is responsible for the density of fruit flavor in the mouth. Very good. The drinking window is conservative, but it takes into consideration primary fruit, which I personally prefer, to some extent, in most wines. This is characterized by cassis, blueberry, salted licorice, summer raspberry and even a hint of star anise through the finish. Drink 2023-2033.
95 Points Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion
A charming wine and one of the finest Prelude Vineyards releases to date. There’s a fineness to this, subtly from the aromas and flavours to the palate. Medium bodied, supple tannins, a skein of acidity tying everything together and lengthening the palate. It’s a little deceptive, too, because there’s plenty of detail yet it's lovely to drink now. So I did. Drink by 2035.
93+ Points Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front
This is an incredibly impressive Prelude cabernet. Look at the price, look at the quality: if Margaret River cabernet is your thing, get on board. First and foremost it’s a structured red wine, which is exactly as it should be. It tastes of blackcurrant, bay leaves, gravel, choc and mint, with some leafy herb/tobacco notes around about too. It doesn’t quite have the mid-palate concentration or presence for really high points but it comes ultra close, and it promises to drink beautifully both now and in the future. Buy. Drink 2024-2031+
93 points Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
The 2020 Prelude Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is juicy and bright on the nose. Despite its glossy exterior, the wine maintains a freshly turned earth/bramble vibe on the nose, which directly places it as varietally true. A honing beacon, if you will. The moderate to warm 2020 vintage is responsible for the density of fruit flavor in the mouth. Very good. The drinking window is conservative, but it takes into consideration primary fruit, which I personally prefer, to some extent, in most wines. This is characterized by cassis, blueberry, salted licorice, summer raspberry and even a hint of star anise through the finish. Drink 2023-2033.
DETAILS
VINTAGE - 2020
VARIETAL - Cabernet Sauvignon
COUNTRY - Australia
REGION - Margaret River, WA
BOTTLE SIZE - 750ml
