2003 Howard Park Leston Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews

“Outstanding colour; spotlessly clean; floods the mouth with blackcurrant fruit plus wisps of mocha and chocolate; radically different style to Scotsdale. Drink 2018.”

96 Points
James Halliday, 2007 Australian Wine Companion - 04-02-2008
Full Review

“Very deep ruby color. Ripe cherry-berry nose with traces of menthol and herbs. Big, richly textured ripe plum and black currant flavours coupled with full tannins; good length and structure.”

90 Points
Gerald Boyd, Wine News, USA - 01-10-2006
Full Review

“This big, dark wine has blackberry jam and a little brown sugar on the nose, with anise and black cherry fruit taking over on the palate. The fruit?s juicy?Finishes with woodsy tannins. Drink over the next four years.”

89 Points
, Wine Enthusiast - 01-08-2006
Full Review

“Lovely cassis fruit, hints of chocolate and fine tannins combine to make this a juicy, fleshy wine. ?great value!A family company celebrating its 20th anniversary, Howard Park was established initially to produce great Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon. They have succeeded.The Howard Park single vineyard or regional series allows you to taste the difference between the Margaret River and Great Southern regions. The owners, Jeff and Amy Burch, simultaneously planted the same clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz in the Leston Vineyard in the Margaret River and in the Scotsdale Vineyard in the Great Southern region. Since the winemaking is the same and the age of vines is the same, the difference in taste is due solely to the location.”

90 Points
Michael Apstein, www.winereviewonline.com - 14-03-2006
Full Review

“An age-worthy cabernet that?s ready to drink now. Fleshy and round, it serves up a touch of herbal notes that is Margaret River?s signature.”

Leslie Sbrocco, www.epicurious.com - 14-03-2006
Full Review

“Yet another outstanding cabernet sauvignon from the Margaret River region, and another irresistible wine from Howard Park. It has brilliant colour, the bouquet spotlessly clean, and it floods the mouth with blackcurrant fruit and wisps of mocha and chocolate.Drink now until 2018.”

96 Points
James Halliday, Top 100 Wines 2005 - The Weekend Australian - 19-11-2005
Full Review

“Leston is an individual Margaret River vineyard wine, bottled separately. The ?03 has a typically regional, fine, pure cabernet sauvignon nose with intense juicy blackcurrant dressed in high-quality cedary French oak. The succulent palate retains penetrating varietal austerity, giving an appetising savoury feel, and finishes very dry.Ageing: 3 ? 12 years.”

Ralph Kyte-Powell, Epicure Uncorked, The Age - 04-10-2005
Full Review

“Dark red wine with dense, complex aromas of briary fruit and cedar oak. Outstanding length of oak and dark fruits on the rich, seamlessly integrated palate. Has great weight and structure.”

, Winestate Magazine - 01-09-2005
Full Review

“?displaying black currants, green coffee beans, leaf, dark chocolate and spice on a firm, finely structured palate with tight tannins and lively acidity.Best drinking around 2009 ? 2013.”

92 Points
Tyson Stelzer, - 10-08-2005
Full Review

“Opaque ruby. Spicy redcurrant and cranberry aromas, with accents of cigar box, licorice and mint. Sweet and round, with very good depth of fresh currant and sweet cherry flavours. Finishes with a note of tobacco and more sweet, red fruit. At once very cabernet and very Margaret River.”

90 Points
Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 15-07-2005
Full Review

“Quality cabernet but gluggable too. Swish gravely blackcurrant, liquerous tannins, jubey fruit, and an easy soft sashay to it all. Very good.Drink 2005 - 2011.”

90 Points
Campbell Mattinson, The Winefront Monthly - 01-06-2005
Full Review