2003 Howard Park Scotsdale Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting Notes

This wine is sourced from only the highest regarded vineyards and is given extraordinary attention in the vineyard. Canopy management is designed to maximise fruit exposure to the sunlight and yields are low to achieve concentration in the grapes. The grapes are harvested according to flavour with little regard for analytical data. Fermentation occurs in open-topped stainless steel tanks with highly aerative pumpovers that are integral in tannin development. At completion of fermentation, the cabernet is given some 15 days on skins to further develop the tannin profile prior to going into French oak barriques: 75% new, 25% 1 year old. This wine was matured in the barrel for approximately 18 months. There was minimal fining and filtration performed.

Crimson red of medium density. The nose displays all the hallmarks of Mount Barker Cabernet Sauvignon with earthy dusty characters backed up by black berry and cassis fruits. The palate is intense with cassis flavours and cedary oak influences of great length. The palate is leaner than the ‘Leston’ but stands out for the great length of flavour persistence and firm ripe tannin. This is a wine much more in the classic old world style in which the textural components play a larger part than primary fruit influences.

Considerable ageing potential.