The 2006 Chardonnay Prelude Vineyard was barrel-fermented and aged in one-third new French oak. Medium straw-colored, it offers up an alluring bouquet of buttered toast, spiced apple, and tropical notes. Crisp and refreshing on the palate, it has superior depth, ripe flavors of pineapple and mango, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. Drink it over the next four years. Leeuwin Estate is one of the benchmark wineries of Western Australia. Both reds and whites exhibit cool climate character and European elegance. Importer: Gavin Speight, Old Bridge Cellars, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 258-9552

Bright and generous, offering a focused mouthful of pineapple, pear and dusky spice flavors that persist on the finish. Drink now through 2012. 800 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Western Australia / Margaret River Select to Add

Leeuwin Estate’s reputation for Chardonnay is based on their Art Series, but the Prelude Vineyards bottling can offer decent value. Less so for the 2006, which seems tight and citrusy, lacking the bold opulence that marks the best Leeuwin Chardonnays. It’s a solid wine, imbued with pleasant tree-fruit flavors and balanced acids, finishing crisp.——J.C.(6/1/2009)—— 86