2005 Howard Park Scotsdale Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews

“Howard Park and second label MadFish are among the pacesetters for quality in the Great Southern. This is a seriously classy cabernet from a very good year. It has understated power, complexity and elegance with berry and currant flavours, mocha, a hint of dustiness and oak playing a subtle support role.”

Winsor Dobbin, OUTthere - Rex & Skywest Inflight Magazine - 03-08-2008
Full Review

“The grapes for this bottle are sourced from a single estate in Mount Barker in Western Australia. The vines were planted in 1974 and are therefore 34 years old. Old vines and extra attention in the vineyard results in a higher quality wine, in this case one brimming with wonderful blackberry and bramble flavours laced with a herbal, dark chocolate edge. It is also blessed with a long length and tannins that should see it through for several years. In fact they recommend 5-8 years cellaring.”

90 Points
Andrew Barrow, www.spittoon.biz - 30-04-2008
Full Review

“Deep, dark red and black fruits, currants, berries, spicy plums and red cherries imparted judiciously with nuances of cedary oak and some cigar box features. An intense robust Western Australian red from the Great Southern region. Brooding, developed, spice filled and softly rounded in mouthfeel, it is seamless in presentation. A dry long finish that lingers with ripe tannins, auguring for a good future. Drink to about 2017.”

92 Points
Paul Ippolito, paulippolito.com.au - 15-03-2008

“Dark red?.displays redcurrant, cherry, mint and dark chocolate, with a hint of cracked pepper. Mineral-accented red fruit flavors are medium-bodied and youthfully tight, with anise and espresso nuances adding to the wine's brooding quality?.finishing with firm tannins wrapped around juicy red berry and cherry fruit.”

89 Points
Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzers International Wine Cellar - 01-09-2007
Full Review

“Aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, briar, eucalypt, aniseed, spice and pencil case oak. On the palate full bodied with dark chocolate, blackberry, blackcurrant, black olive and herbal flavours. Plenty of fruit power here. Very tightly coiled with dry grippy slightly hard tannins and fresh acidity. Dry black olive finish with plenty of length. It?s a very good wine that just needs time to soften and loosen up. Drink 2011 ? 2018.”

91 Points
Gary Walsh, Winorama - 25-07-2007
Full Review