Description
Howard Park, one of Western Australia’s pioneering wine families with a 30 year history and two generations of tireless work of the Burch family, they specialise in the state’s premier grape-growing regions of Margaret River and the Great Southern. They are also part of Australia’s First Families of Wine (AFFW), an exciting collective of 12 multi-generational family-owned wine producers.
Winemaker Janice McDonald and the family are still celebrating after winning Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year for 2018. Peter Forrestal, of Gourmet Traveller said “Janice McDonald is an astounding winemaker: demanding of herself and others; rigorous; painstaking in her attention to detail.”
Margaret River is Australia’s most spectacular wine region with breathtaking coastline, Karri forests and maritime climate perfectly suited to premium grape growing. It is also arguably Australia’s premier Cabernet Sauvignon grape growing region and Cabernet Sauvignon its greatest natural asset. Great Cabernet should be both perfumed and poised, and meticulous site selection is critical to capturing these key attributes. 100% estate grown fruit Howard Park makes beautiful wines with depth of fruit, balance and structure that overdeliver across the board.
Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are sourced from several select vineyard sites located in the Wilyabrup sub region and north to Wildwood Rd in an endeavour to capture ripe fruit flavours, supple tannins and the distinctive perfume of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon.
The individual vineyard blocks are vinified separately. After fermentation onskins, the malolactic is conducted in tank prior to barrel maturation. Maturationoccurs in French oak for 18 months. This length of time in oak allows for the thorough integration of oak and fruit tannins.
About the 2023 vintage from the winemaker: Cooler-than-usual temperatures paired with optimal, dry weather set the scene for an extended, yet exceptional vintage in both Margaret River and Great Southern. A moderate season, it was perfect for gentle, even ripening across all grape varieties. Heavy winter rains recharged soil moisture levels and refilled vineyard dams paving the way for a promising start to the growing season. Cool temperatures lingered making for a mild spring with a lovely, yet late budburst. The weather warmed and rain ceased providing the ideal conditions for flowering, canopy growth and fruit set in Margaret River. Great Southern was cooler and wetter which led to poor fruit set and small bunches reducing yield. However, these lower yields would later lead to fuller fruit ripeness at harvest. Dry, sunny, and warm weather free from any extreme heat continued throughout summer creating an idyllic atmosphere for steady, prolonged ripening with harvest commencing on the 16 February and not finishing until 22 April. Minimal rain fell during this period allowing the fruit to stay out on the vine until full ripeness and flavour development were achieved while cooling winds ensured good acid retention and freshness. Some late summer/early autumn rain events delayed the red harvest slightly, however, the rainfall did not lead to any disease pressure, instead, it refreshed canopies and invigorated the vines. Altogether another high-quality, graceful year much like 2022.
The 2023 Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the felicity of Margaret River’s climate, vineyards and soils for growing and ripening perfectly balanced and intensely flavoursome Cabernet grapes. Without showing off, this young wine frames an ideal expression of the variety, with a nose of harmonious intensity, fresh dark fruit and black olive perfumes overlaying a fine thread of sweet mocha and cedarwood. The palate is lushly fruited with an array of allusionsaranging from raspberry through to blackcurrant, and a complementary accents of coffee and Vincotto. A juicy texture resolves into typical Cabernet tannins, present and fine, with the pliancy to confer the desirable characteristic of extreme drinkability to a wine that maintains some layers of complexity to be revealed by medium-term ageing.”
91 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review “Very deep, bright, youthful purple-red colour. Good depth of blackberry aromas, fresh and ripe and varietally true. The wine is medium-full bodied and rich with pleasing powdery tannins and smart cabernet structure, the finish ploughing long and satisfying. Lively and balanced, and has cellaring potential. Really keen value at the price.”
“.. This is quintessential Margaret River Cabernet in terms of its elegance and savoury salinity, with complexity and poise that punches far above its $30 price point.” Tom Kline, Wine Pilot on the 2022.
RRP $32 Our Special Price $23.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
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