2003 Howard Park Best Barrels Merlot Reviews

“...a complex, tight and integrated nose with unobtrusive oak. In the mouth it beguiles you quietly. You notice its roundness but then also its firmness, its acid, the assertiveness yet stateliness of its tannins. You notice its length. It is generous but unaffected, has appropriate weight but respects its framework. I was seduced, and I think it will be truly spanking in eight to ten years. A style that I hope strengthens in the future.”

Andrew Wood, Divine Food and Wine Magazine - 01-08-2005
Full Review

“Very serious wine; concentrated and intense; crystal-clear varietal character; dark currant with faint hints of spice and olive; great structure. Drink 2018.”

95 Points
James Halliday, 2006 Australian Wine Companion - 01-08-2005
Full Review

“Merlot has arrived. On both nose and palate this displays quality oak and quality fruit - and serious quality. This is succulent, spicy, fleshy and rich and has loads of the sought-after plum pudding flavours. The fruit characters are subtle, satisfying and placid and the wine has the length of flavour to give great joy to the most fussy of critics. For our money, WA's best ever merlot.”

18.2 Points
John Jens, - 06-06-2005
Full Review

“Long, lean, dusty and intense, with gorgeously tight, fine, long tannins and a "liquid dust" element that leaves fresh, full fruity softness far in its wake. Juicy, in the best possible way, in a way that harmonises with the overall wine. Curranty, but only enough to carry the wine. Not at all oaky. Entirely understated. But the thing: the length - it's outstanding. As is the balance. And the composure. It doesn't taste Australian. It needs at least 6-8 years to show its best. It's not bossomy or big: it's long and dusty and tannic. Drink: 2007 - 2015.”

94 Points
Campbell Mattinson, The Winefront - 01-02-2005
Full Review

“Only the second straight merlot from Howard Park's Margaret River vineyard (the other was the 1995), this sums up the best characteristics of the variety. It's dense with fruit-cakey richness on nose and palate perfectly folded into smoky spicy oak. The palate is velvety, yet fine and long-flavoured with balanced ripe tannins. Ageing: 2-6 years.”

Ralph Kyte-Powell, The Age, Epicure - 18-01-2005
Full Review