2009 Howard Park Chardonnay Reviews

“Stunning. Superb. Exceptional. Just right. Spot on. Immaculate drinking. And so on and so on. You get the drift, this is special chardonnay drinking. Crafted beautifully with the polished chardonnay fruit making a classy, classic entry, elegance and refinement the major hallmarks. Yet with evolving time in the glass, the aromas dazzle even more and bedazzle the senses. Peach melon, a swirl of butterscotch and fresh figs all make their presence felt. The acidity and overall structure, however, along with subtle lineal spicy oak add overall to its gravitas and poise, ensuring one does not dominate another. Long, smooth, supple and luxuriant in mouthfeel, the length is so distinct in its counterbalance of flavour and structure and finish. Beautiful drinking and value plus. Try this with lobster mornay. Drink to 2015. - Superb / Exceptional.”

97 Points
Paul Ippolito, www.paulippolito.com.au - 28-03-2012

“A lip-smacking fusion of sweet, lemon-like varietal fruit and powerful vanilla oak that just explodes in the mouth and exhibits attractive nutty/malty complexity.”

, Winestate Magazine - 01-03-2012

“This has it all and is my type of chardonnay. Top quality grapes from a top quality region, given the works treatment with barrel fermentation and natural yeasts which has shown itself with evolving complexity both on the nose through glorious aromas and more relevantly on the palate. Classic peach, melon and citrine influences meld throughout making it delicious and a delight to savour. Balanced, poised and just right now but serious cellaring potential and development capacity as well. Again, my style of chardonnay. Try this with lobster salad. - Excellent.”

94 Points
Paul Ippolito, www.paulippolito.com.au - 15-02-2012

“I tasted it a year ago, and I think I got it wrong. Or perhaps the bottle was heat damaged. Colour is a little developed but no problems otherwise. Smooth and mealy with nectarine, citrus, cinnamon spice and almond barrel influence. It's fine and balanced, marrying fruit of some richness with savoury complexity - acidity correct and bedded in - it flows along beautifully. Noted additional flavours of Tarte Tatin along with a composed, long and flinty finish. Good to go.”

95 Points
Gary Walsh, The Wine Front - 04-01-2012

“Bright straw-green; a classy chardonnay from the first whiff through to the finish; nectarine, white peach and citrus fruit is complexed by barrel ferment in high-quality French oak, the finish long and lingering.”

95 Points
James Halliday, James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2012 - 27-07-2011

“This shy, backward wine needs patience to coax it out of the glass. There are traces of lemon and green melon rind on the nose. The palate has Chablis-like tightness and restraint. The more you sip the better it tastes.”

, Gourmet Traveller Wine - 01-11-2010

“With a strong resource of Margaret River Chardonnay, it may come as a surprise that Howard Park's flagship is sourced from Great Southern. Shines like a beacon from the south, always pure, high-strung and age-worthy. Pristine and complete, at the same time a wine of great tension and agility, this is a thrilling vintage. Defined texture, determined drive, structured minerality and great persistence, it's got a very long, bright future ahead. It also happens to be quite a bargain.”

95 Points
Tyson Stelzer, Wine100 - 01-09-2010
Full Review

“Howard Park wines are invariably good, but I reckon their chardonnays, in particular, have lifted another notch in recent years. Any Western Australian chardonnay has to be special to stand out because the competition over there is red hot, but I found this lip-smackingly delicious. It's fine-boned ? linear and taut ? with terrific length and acidity, and flavours of nectarine, citrus and rockmelons. Not cheap, but classy.”

Rick Allen, The Parramatta Advertiser - 11-08-2010
Full Review

“For flavours that grow in interest as you sip through a bottle, tip out the sauvignon and head for modern chardonnay like these gems from Howard Park. They're as fresh and zesty as any dry white but come with the subtle patina of flavours and textures derived from oak fermentation and maturation. The Howard Park 2009 steps up in flavour intensity and interest - an exceptionally fine and taut but generous chardonnay, showing the more citrus-like end of the varietal flavour spectrum.”

Chris Shanahan, www.chrisshanahan.com.au - 01-06-2010
Full Review