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SW wines make esteemed list

Leeuwin Estate winemaker Paul Atwood is thrilled after the 2010 Art Series chardonnay recently received an “outstanding” award in the Decanter wine awards. Picture: Gordon Becker

Margaret River wineries have won outstanding and highly commended mentions in the March 2015 Decanter wine magazine's list of the best chardonnays outside of Burgundy.

Leeuwin Estate, Flametree Wines, Vasse Felix and Cullen Wines each had a wine named in the international magazine, with Leeuwin's Art Series Chardonnay 2010 one of only 10 in the world to be named "outstanding".

Flametree's SRS Wallcliffe 2010 and Vasse Felix' Heytesbury Chardonnay 2012 were among 20 wines to receive highly commended awards.

The Flametree Wines win was significant for the Wallcliffe subregion, following a botched legal stoush in late 2013 in which LVMH-owned Cape Mentelle moved to trademark the subregion name as part of its ongoing branding.

Flametree's general manager Cliff Royle said the SRS's selection was a sign of Margaret River's growing chardonnay success.

"Being selected with Leeuwin Estate and Vasse Felix as three of the best chardonnays outside of Burgundy is a great honour," he said.

"I've long said that Margaret River consistently makes Australia's greatest chardonnay wines and competes comfortably with many of the greatest chardonnays in the world."

Leeuwin Estate joint chief executive Simone Horgan-Furlong said her winery was "thrilled" at the recognition.