2000 Howard Park Leston Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting Notes

The 2000 grape growing season in Western Australia was affected by the tail end of two cyclonic weather patterns from the North of the state. Extreme rainfall events were experienced in several regions ruining some crops. The reliability of Margaret River as a wine grape region was again demonstrated as the swirling angry rain clouds were seen to pass directly overhead with little or no rain fall. The weather conditions between cyclones were ideal, resulting in Cabernet Sauvignon grapes high in flavour and secondary colour and tannin. The grapes for the 2000 Howard Park ‘Leston’ Cabernet Sauvignon were selected in the vineyard as demonstrating the distinctive characteristics of Margaret River, fermentation in small tanks with intensive cap management fully developed the texture of the wine. Maturation was in 100% French oak barriques for approximately 18 months. The wine was bottled with minimal filtration.

Dark blood red wine with youthful purple hues. The nose is full and ripe with heady plummy scents and deep dark chocolate. Background cedar from the oak has a slightly charry aroma which adds complexity to a fruit driven nose. The palate is full with ripe luscious fruits, plums and cherries combining to give a fleshy sweet middle. The flavour persistence of this wine in its youth is impressive.

The wine is probably some two years away from developing its full flavour with secondary characters developing over a 5 year period.