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. The temperate, maritime Margaret River region stretches a north to south distance of 100kms. Bound by oceans on three sides, subtle climatic and site differences exist over five physiographic regions and fifteen diverse land forms, which comprise the region.
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.
About this wine from the winemakers: “Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are sourced from several select vineyard sites located in the Wilyabrup sub region and north to Wildwood Road in an endeavour to capture ripe fruit flavours, supple tannins and the distinctive perfume of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon.
“The 2024 vintage was early, compressed and fast-paced. The cool, wet 2023 winter weather disappeared quickly and was replaced by a dry, warm spring. Above-average temperatures and almost no rainfall led to early budburst and perfect growing conditions for vines. Canopy growth was good, flowering occurred early and went through quickly, leading to early veraison in all varieties. In late December, colour could be seen in Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, pointing to a very early vintage, and January saw a continuation of the dry conditions.
“2024 was also a vintage with abundant marri blossom, known as a “mast year”, and there was little to no grape loss due to the native silvereye birds. This usually occurs every four years or so, as it takes the trees time to muster sufficient resources to produce a massive flowering. Harvest began in mid-January, four weeks earlier than usual. Fruit continued to ripen rapidly and early attention to detail in the vineyard paid dividends. Picking dates needed careful consideration to ensure physiological maturity with vibrancy of fruit expression, and the narrow windows of opportunity to harvest required skilful scheduling of vineyard and winery teams. All varieties reached full maturity earlier than we are used to, and lower yields in some varieties and vineyards led to a concentration of aromas and flavours. This bodes well for some superb quality wines from 2024 in both Margaret River and Great Southern.
“The individual vineyard blocks are vinified separately. After fermentation on skins, the malolactic is conducted in tank prior to barrel maturation. Maturation occurs in French oak for 18 months. This length of time in oak allows for the thorough integration of oak and fruit tannins.
“A bright garnet/violet in the glass. The nose is expressive and layered—red and black berry compote meets fragrant violets, sagebrush, and a touch of graphite. Notes of black cherry and raspberry glide alongside hints of olive tapenade and a hint of cedar. The palate delivers a burst of ripe dark fruit—blackberry, cassis, and morello cherry—supported by a plush core and an echo of brambleberry pie. Subtle oak sweetness shows through in vanilla and smoke, adding polish without distraction. Tannins are chalky and assertive, creating a firm, mouth-coating structure that speaks to both ripeness and varietal character.”
Another great vintage in 2024. Reviews for previous vintage – 95 points, Ray Jordan “,,,A wine like this selling for just $30 is crazy.”
92 points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion “Incredibly vibrant and fresh and oh-so highly drinkable. Everything dialled back, just a light combo of cassis and blackberries, woodsy spices, black olives and nori with pops of sweet fruit across the fuller-bodied palate. Raspberry-sorbet acidity and fine, lightly drying tannins caressing the palate. Punches above its weight.
RRP $32 Our Special Price $23.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
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