The 1986 is the classic Howard Park Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, a superb wine that has set the standard benchmark for all future Howard Park reds. This wine was made in minuscule quantities from 100% Great Southern Cabernet Sauvignon and a sprinkling of Shiraz. In its youth the wine was a revelation for its textural complexity and elegance, today it is a stately regal wine of remarkable youth and freshness. Complex dusty forest floor aromas with mushroom scents against fresh berry fruits. Seductive cedary oak provides great complexity. The palate is multi layered and very complex with a powdery texture experienced in only the finest wines. The 1986 is drinking beautifully now but still has lots of life in it yet.
Tasting Notes from Vertical Tasting June 2006
“Brilliant, bright, fresh yellow hues, great clarity. Savoury, pleasant reduction, very attractive, unbelievably bright and primary with citric aromas. Incredible youthfulness, bright fresh fruity, loads of fruit to back up the acid. Top Class”