2004 Howard Park Leston Shiraz Reviews

“A violet-like perfume of cassis, raspberries, red currant and sweet cedar/vanilla oak is backed by spicy, licorice-like undertones. Fine, polished and elegant, its smooth, willowy and spotless palate of medium to full weight bursts with intense flavours of red and black berries with nuances of dark plums and tomato stalk. It finishes savoury, with a fine coating of tight-knit tannins.”

92 Points
Jeremy Oliver, The Australian Wine Annual 2008 - 01-01-2008
Full Review

“Focused nose of dark, spicy blackcurrant fruit with a smoky, spicy edge. The palate is generous and concentrated with masses of dark spicy fruit backed with high acidity, giving it a lively feel. Nice focus and weight to this pure, dark wine.”

93 Points
Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak - 01-11-2007
Full Review

“Medium red-purple; radically different to the Scotsdale Shiraz; warm aromas, and a mix of predominantly black fruits (blackberry) and some red cherry; French oak obvious. Drink: To 2014.”

94 Points
James Halliday, 2008 Australian Wine Companion - 01-07-2007
Full Review

“The bright cherry flavour is like a vinous splash of color across this youthfully black wine. Eucalyptus scents and smooth, coffee-roasted tannins give it a sophisticated edge...”

90 Points
Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits USA - 01-02-2007
Full Review

“The 2004 ?Leston? Shiraz has a bit more of everything. Its excellent spice-laden nose is followed by a wine with layers of blue fruits, super concentration, yet surprising elegance, seemingly a characteristic of the best Western Australian Shirazs. It is a terrific value.”

91 Points
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate - 01-12-2006
Full Review

“Inviting black raspberry nose with spicy backnotes. Richly textured berry flavours, refined tannins, good acidity and a hint of white pepper lead to a long, complex finish.”

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

“Big, dark, chocolatey, woodsy nose with some mintiness. Attacks with shellac and caramelised berries and then builds powerful, dusty tannins and soy smokiness. Finishes with chocolate, fruit cake and dry spices/nutmeg.”

94 Points
Australian Financial Review, Tim White - 01-09-2006
Full Review

“Leston Margaret River Shiraz is an elegantly styled young wine in ?04. Loganberry-like fruit is a succulent introduction, and gentle notes of spice and cedar add dimension on the nose. The palate has fine texture with ripe flavour, medium body and well-balanced ripe tannins. It?s a well-concentrated, complete young shiraz with a real touch of class.Drink it over eight years.”

Ralph Kyte-Powell, Uncorked Epicure, The Age - 29-08-2006
Full Review

“Here we have Margaret River, which undisputedly makes marvy cabernet and also comes up trumps with chardies. Not too many regions can pull off that double act? Well, I think this region does the trifecta. And I think that this wine will add a really interesting chapter to the ?shiraz or cabernet from Margaret River? debate. The fun is in the research.”

Stuart Gregor, Don't Buy Wine Without Me 2007 - 04-08-2006
Full Review

“Howard Park?s single vineyard series is to die for, and the 2004 range is the best ever. They?re due on the shelves any day now, so get out there and stock the cellar with this juicy, plush plum and black cherry-fruited number.”

Tyson Stelzer, Style Magazine - Brisbane - 04-07-2006
Full Review

“Ruby-red. Dark berries and cherry jam on the nose, with earthy notes of exotic spices, dried flowers, espresso and coca powder. Lush in texture, with youthful, crunchy blackberry and boysenberry flavors framed by gentle tannins. This fairly weighty wine has beautiful fruit but needs time to stretch out. Juicy, fresh and long on the finish, with energetic, tangy dark berry fruit tones. One for the cellar, or at least the decanter.”

90 Points
Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer?s International Wine Cellar - 01-07-2006
Full Review

“Displays plush plum, black cherry fruit and liquorice with a juicy, well-textured mid-palate, fine tannins and great length.”

92 Points
Tyson Stelzer, www.tysonstelzer.com - 01-01-2006
Full Review