2006 Howard Park Riesling Reviews

“Will the two 2010 babies develop into this sort of wine? I hope so as this is Riesling I really want to drink; it offers what I think we require from all wines, an array of interesting flavours that not only have depth but length, 96 Points and very worthy of its asking price.”

96 Points
Tony Keys, Key Review of Wines - 03-04-2011

“Complexity of toasty floral/lime aromas. Great example of a fresh, lively, citrusy palate that's ageing beautifully with lovely advanced toasty flavours.”

, Winestate Annual 2011 Edition - 25-03-2011
Full Review

“...Howard Park has rereleased its 2006 riesling. Right now, it's in a magical spot. Still tight and fresh with a colour - a pale, pale gold with a hint of green - that defies its five years in bottle. The only real giveaway is the aroma, which has a layer of freshly toasted bread woven into the blossom and lime. It's a more complex and slightly richer wine than the 2010, more because of its time in bottle than any structural weight, and it is nowhere near its peak...The latest release of three markedly different but stunning rieslings is a compelling sign that the decision to back the variety was an inspired one as these are some of the most pure, pristine wines in the country...”

Tony Harper, Brisbane News - 25-03-2011
Full Review

“First off the rank is this museum release from Howard Park Wines at Denmark, in Western Australia's Great Southern region - one of Australia's great specialty riesling production areas. And in Howard Park 2006 we experience riesling's fine, mouth-watering lime-like varietal flavour, subtly overlaid with the toasty depth of bottle age. A screw cap ensures the wine remains vividly fresh as well as delivering mature aromas and flavours. 2006 was the 21st release of this highly regarded wine.”

Chris Shanahan, Canberra Times - 01-12-2010
Full Review

“...certainly another winner with pronounced aromas of petrol, lanolin, lime cordial, beeswax and crushed stones. Dry and crisp with just a bit less weight on the palate than the 2009, this wine is just beginning to gather concentration and richness...”

93 Points
David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate - 01-11-2010

“This is alarmingly delicious wine. It is fine and long and tight, as befits a quality riesling, but it?s also blessed with flavours of apple skins and spiced-lychee and searing lemon, the latter racing it through the mouth in high style. A wonderful young wine. Drink: 2007-2015.”

Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front - 01-12-2008
Full Review

“Howard Park Rieslings are very finely tuned, very pure in flavour and, with its delicately lingering orange and honey tones, the 2006 is one of the best ever.At Howard Park, a particularly fine Great Southern producer, we tasted every vintage from 2007 back to 1996... twelve wines, every one good to outstanding.In fact, I cannot remember any wine trip which turned up so many beauties. Twenty wineries visited, over 300 Rieslings tasted?”

Mary Dowey, The Gloss Magazine - Wonders of Oz - 11-07-2008
Full Review

“Forward aromas of almond blossom, dried apricot, fresh lime and crushed stone minerality. Mouth filling and generous on the palate; juicy yet dry. This classy Riesling, sourced primarily from Mount Barker, delivers mineral-laced dried apricot and white peach flavours along with a clean, crisp, dry finish.”

94 Points
Steve Pitcher, Wine News - 01-05-2008
Full Review

“Quite refined?Tight, savoury and herby with good acidity. Concentrated with nice fruit and good acidity. Lots of power here, but it?s refined.”

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

“This looked incredibly promising when first tasted. It?s got lifted mineral and spicy fruit with a slatey character. The palate is tight and crisp with a delicate fine acid. Great stuff.”

94 Points
Ray Jordan, Guide to West Australian Wine 2006/2007 - 01-10-2007
Full Review

“Pale yellow. Expansive, highly aromatic bouquet evokes citrus and pit fruits, with bright lime zest and minerals adding complexity. Fresh, zesty lemon-lime flavors show good depth but the overall impression is of elegance and focus. Finishes bright and dry, with excellent persistence.”

90 Points
Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer?s International Wine Cellar - 01-09-2007
Full Review

“Pale yellow. Zesty citrus, pear and quince aromas are underscored by vibrant minerality. Dry, focused lemon and pink grapefruit flavors offer impressive cut and thrust, with dusty mineral and subtle oak spice qualities carrying through the finish. Elegant, precise chardonnay with the crisp acidity to improve with age..”

Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer?s International Wine Cellar - 01-09-2007
Full Review

“The great southern region in WA is producing some outstanding Riesling, like this superb example. The two leitmotifs in this wine are citrus and minerality. Lemon peel and lemon blossom aromas lead on to a textured palate of enormous finesse.”

Sally Gudgeon, Qantas Magazine - 01-09-2007
Full Review

“Howard Park has long been associated with complex and long-living riesling from WA?s Great Southern region. ?a heady, musky and floral traminer-like perfume of fresh apple, pear and lime precedes a long, fine and supple palate whose racy, brightly lit fruit is neatly wrapped in a taut, refreshing cut of citrusy acidity. Very elegant, precisely sculpted and vibrant?”

93 Points
Jeremy Oliver, The Australian Wine Annual 2008 - 01-08-2007
Full Review

“Vibrant and fragrant aromas of apple, passionfruit and lime juice lead into a palate of wonderful intensity and lusciousness balanced by crisp acidity.Drink to 2026.”

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

“Howard Park has long been associated with complex and long-lived riesling from WA?s Great Southern region? A heady, musky and floral traminer-like perfume of fresh apple, pear and lime precedes a long, fine and supple palate with racy, brightly lit fruit neatly wrapped in a taut, refreshing cut of citrus acidity. Very elegant, precisely sculpted and vibrant?”

Jeremy Oliver, Gourmet Traveller Wine - 01-06-2007
Full Review

“Riesling from WA?s far south is one of Australia?s newest classic wine styles. This one is typically refined with austere aromas of lime, green fruits and Germanic spice. The palate has excellent texture with intense vinous flavour and a long, dry, lemony finish.Ageing: Drink from 2008 to 2017.”

Sally Gudgeon and Ralph Kyte-Powell, The Sunday Herald and The Sunday Age - 01-06-2007
Full Review

“With an impressive lineage since the first release in 1986, Howard Park riesling is a staple of any Australian riesling aficionado?s cellar. The 2006 vintage in Western Australia was incredibly cool, giving riesling the benefit of mild ripening conditions and an extended season. The nose is understated and elegant, showing citrus rind, lime zest, some bath salts and nice lifted aromatic perfume, a complete, complex set of characters. On the palate it carves out a defined mineral line, in fact, limes come from every angle. The acidity is a standout, fusing power and elegance together and striking impressive balance. Now to 2018.”

93 Points
Nick Stock, The Adelaide Review - 16-03-2007
Full Review

“It showed tropical aromas over more typical citrus fruit, yet was fine and restrained. Enjoy it now for its delicacy and freshness or cellar almost indefinitely for richness and complexity.”

Peter Bourne, Andrew Caillard MW, Peter Forrestal, Sophie Otton and Nick Bulleid MW, Gourmet Traveller Wine - 01-02-2007
Full Review

“Closed off at first, this has a grapefruit pith character that becomes juicier as the wine gains from air. Give it six months to a year for the citrus flavours to open, or ten years for them to fully develop.”

89 Points
Josh Greene, Wine and Spirits - USA - 01-02-2007
Full Review

“Western Australia makes some outstanding Riesling, mainly from the Great Southern. Best of all are the Howard Park...”

Peter Forrestal, Sunday Times Magazine - 21-01-2007
Full Review

“A vertical tasting of 20 vintages of this wine in June 2006 left no one in any doubt about its longevity? This wine has vibrant and fragrant aromas of apple, passionfruit and lime juice that lead into a palate of wonderful intensity and lusciousness balanced by crisp acidity.”

95 Points
James Halliday, The Weekend Australian - Top 100 Wines - 01-11-2006
Full Review

“From one of Western Australia?s respected Riesling makers, this feels altogether quite different from SA?s icon region versions, with the fragrance of potpourri mingling with lychee fruit and true fresh grape. Quite unusual and worth an adventure.”

90 Points
Tony Love, The Advertiser Magazine - 01-11-2006
Full Review