Winery - Howard Park
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Tastes like the essence of ripe blackberries but as with the best wines, texture is everything. It’s velvety and rich in the mouth, with chewy tannins. On the finish, the blackberry plays on, leaving little room for the oak-nut accents that peek through. Nose has permeating menthol and black pepper notes.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The Scotsdale has a straightforward plum-berry profile, with a creamy mouthfeel. Tannins cling nicely on the finish. Not as good in this reviewer’s opinion as Howard Park’s Leston Cab—but at least there is regional difference between the bottlings.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A surprisingly lackluster performance for this well-known Western Australia brand. Lime and grapefruit flavors are clean and pleasant but the wine lacks much in the way of intensity or weight. It’s good, but no more. Imported by Blue Water Wine Company. Imported by Howard Park Wines.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This wine boasts excellent lines and balance, it just needs that touch of polishing that age will impart. Right now, the tannins are a little roughly textured, the blackberry fruit and cedary oak a touch too distinct. Give it another two years to come together and acquire a patina of finesse. Imported by Blue Water Wine Company.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The nose and the palate offer all kinds of tropical fruit—think pineapple, mango and passion fruit. But the wine’s not sweet or candied; a nice, minerally mouthfeel keeps the fruit in check. Finishes strong and sleek, with chalk and minerals.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Rather lean, with a slight hint of eucalyptus to the tart plum flavors. Picks up some cedary notes on the finish, but although this medium-bodied, smooth-textured wine is pleasant enough, it could use more complexity and lushness.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A round, supple wine for near-term drinking, the 2005 Leston Cabernet features slightly herbal notes, but predominantly fresh black cherry and cassis fruit, framed by vanilla-tinged oak. Some woody tannins on the finish will serve it well with grilled or roasted meats. Only 64 cases imported. Imported by Blue Water Wine Company.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Howard Park’s single-vineyard wines continue to impress for their value and consistency. The 2004 Leston is a richly textured, velvety Cab, marked by earthy, loamy scents and classic cassis, vanilla and tobacco flavors. Drink 2009–2015.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A gorgeous example of Shiraz from Margaret River, the 2004 Leston bottling is big without being bulky, soft without being flabby. It’s generously endowed with cassis and cherry fruit, seamlessly integrated with notes of vanilla, tobacco and dried spices. Drink now–2015.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This may turn out better in time than I've given it credit for, but at the moment it seems a bit tough and overly firm on the finish. Perfumed cedar and cassis aromas are promising, and the flavors offer hints of dried herbs and tobacco as well. Try now with rare beef or lamb, or hold 5-7 years and see if the tannins come into better balance. Imported by Blue Water Wine Company.
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