2004 Howard Park Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Reviews

“Ruby red. Deeply pungent aromas red and blackcurrant, cherry compote, potpourri and smoky minerals. Supple, palate coating red berry and bitter cherry flavours are firmed by youthful tannins, which add grip and focus but no hardness. Gains weight on the finish, which is impressively pure and energetic. Seductive right now, but has the depth to reward cellaring.”

Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 16-07-2008
Full Review

“This has a subtle floral perfume with a great, succulent palate structure. The long finish is tight and grippy with lingering spice.”

Jeff Collerson, The Telegraph - 19-01-2008
Full Review

“Firmly established as a modern Australian classic with a 20-year old pedigree, this is a blend of Great Southern (70%) and Margaret River cabernet fleshed out with merlot. In the 2004, it is supple, round and juicy with brambly, blackcurrant and mulberry flavours, rich, concentrated and weighty with formidable balanced tannins.”

Peter Forrestal, The Bulletin - 08-01-2008
Full Review

“Flooded with ripe, gently sweet blackcurrant fruit, it has a lovely silky texture and grain on the long palate and finish. Mount Barker Cabernet Sauvignon (81%) Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon (17%) Margaret River Merlot (2%). Drink: To 2024.”

96 Points
James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2008 - 01-01-2008
Full Review

“An absolute cracker of a wine!Beautiful cabernet fruit shining in notes of cassis, mocha and a hint of crushed mint, with lots of fine French oak to balance the opulence and intensity. The palate is intense, richly textured with palate coating fruit and oak but retains elegance, finishing long. This is what great MR cabernet should be.”

Christopher Hayes, www.eatanddrink.com.au - 01-12-2007
Full Review

“This is beautifully balanced with seamless oak integration, aged in new French barriques for 20 months with every grain just sucking up the fruit. There are cassis and red-fruit notes and a smidgen of Margaret River eucalypt note.”

Jane Faulkner, The Age - 03-11-2007
Full Review

“One of the most powerful and concentrated yet in this distinguished line. Dark blackcurrant, black olive and ripe plum aromas and flavours. It's powerful yet elegant. May well be the best yet.”

97 Points
Ray Jordan, Guide to West Australian Wine - 01-11-2007
Full Review

“Howard Park is one of the maturing WA players, making incredibly consistent top-quality wine since 1986. Fast forward to 2004, a stunning vintage for cabernet in Margaret River, and Howard Park has delivered a classic flagship cabernet. Ripe, dense and juicy cassis fruits, some roasting herbs, wet concrete, mulberry-scented merlot and stylish cedary oak - this is complex and alive. The palate has terrific depth, rippling with raw youthful power, it unfolds in stunning layers of fine tannin. One for the cellar, it drinks dangerously well right now but will be at its complex, mellow best from 2016.”

96 Points
Nick Stock, The Adelaide Review - 12-10-2007
Full Review

“I am a cabernet enthusiast of the highest order and this is one of the best wines I have tasted this year. Aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, wet earth, aniseed and fine cigar box oak. Beautifully perfumed. On the palate full bodied with blackcurrant, cherry, earth and spicy cigar box oak. Perfect weight and balance with the oak already folding into the fruit. Firm very fine tannins run the length of the seamless palate. Very long sweet fruit and tobacco tinged finish. Essential Australian cabernet.”

97 Points
Gary Walsh, Winorama - 01-09-2007
Full Review