2010 Howard Park Porongurup Riesling Tasting Notes

The 2010 vintage growing season got off to a fantastic start with warmer than average spring conditions. This allowed good fruit set and powered the vines up for even ripening during the average summer conditions. Intense tight flavours and juicey acidity developed allowing us to pick before the autumn warmed up too much.

The fruit upon arrival at the winery was immediately processed to ensure the highest quality juice. Only free run juice, which is tighter and more finely structured as it has no phenolic character, was used for this wine.

Most 2010 vintage juice batches showed wonderfully restrained Riesling aromatics, fine elegant fruit and great length. Two individual batches stood out with something extra special. These vineyards are two of the oldest planting of Riesling in the Porongurup sub-region. Both vineyards are higher up on the shoulders of the volcanic outcrop that dominates the surrounding area.

Very pale straw in colour. Aromatics start off with shy lime skin and lime blossom and move to of classic slate. These characters carry on into the wine delighting with lime juice, citrus peel and wet stone minerality. The palate is crunchy with typical Porongurup crystalline acidity. A very fine Riesling with great persistence of flavour due to the 25 yo vines contributing the backbone of this wine.

An outstanding cellaring prospect. Whilst drinking well now, the 2010 Howard Park Porongurup Riesling will peak in 7-10 years and evolve splendidly for 15-20 years under screwcap.