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. 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 winemaker: “A critical selection is applied to our Margaret River vineyards for growing Miamup Chardonnay. Each location adds to the complexity of the wine due to the soils, aspects, clones and microclimates unique to the respective sites. Applied to this rich collection of choice, is the skill and enthusiasm of our winemaking team that draws upon traditional winemaking methods and the use of fine grain French oak to craft a layered, flavoursome and complex wine.
“The Miamup Chardonnay is a selection from individual vineyard blocks and clones, with the majority sourced from our Margaret River vineyards largely based in Willyabrup.
“Each batch is picked in the cool of the night and processed soon after picking to ensure varietal flavours are preserved. Fermentation and malolactic occurs in a combination of 50% French oak (10% new) and 50% stainless-steel tank to retain freshness and purity. The temperature of fermentation is between 18ºC to 22ºC and the lees are stirred from the end of fermentation and throughout the malolactic. After 10 months on lees, the wine is blended to tank and held for 2 months prior to fining, filtration and bottling.
“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.
“Pale green straw in the glass, this wine opens with lifted aromas of citrus blossom and white florals, complemented by a myriad of pink and white grapefruit. Notes of scratched lemon skin and pith intertwine with hints of fresh waterfall spray and wet stone minerality. The palate is vibrant and lively, showcasing flavours of pink and green apple, kiwi, and white peach. Crunchy green pear, green melon, and clementine add precision and linear drive, while a subtle touch of seasoned oak softens the texture, achieving a perfect balance between bright fruit and refreshing acidity. This is a refined, elegant expression of Margaret River Chardonnay.”
RRP $32 **Our Special Price only $24.50 when you buy 6 of this wine*
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