1999 Howard Park Leston Shiraz Tasting Notes

The latter half of the 1999 growing season was bright and sunny with ideal conditions for red grape ripening. It became clear during March of 1999 that the Shiraz at Station 4 on the Howard Park Leston Vineyard in Margaret River was demonstrating excellent colour, flavour and ripeness of tannin on the vine. We knew that we had a good chance of fulfilling our ambition to produce a 100% Margaret River Shiraz of a standard that could be released under the Howard Park regional brand. After harvesting at night at full ripeness the fruit was de-stemmed and fermented in open stainless steel tank with twice daily pumpovers to macerate the skins and aid colour and flavour extraction. The resultant wine was matured in 100% French oak (65% new, 35% 1 year old) for approximately 18 months and in bottle for 6 months.

The Leston Cabernet Sauvignon has a dense dark red to black colour of great intensity. The aroma has an intense and rich bouquet led by the ripest cassis and berry fruits, rich and opulent but brooding in its youth. Behind the primary fruits are distinctive vineyard characteristics of dark chocolate and mint. The oak is background cedar which will recede further as the fruits emerge with some bottle age.

The Leston vineyard consistently produces intense fleshy and full mid palate Cabernet with massive fruit weight with dark cherry and blackcurrant flavours. On release, youthful and tight, ample fruit sweetness that will only become more accessible with bottle maturation. This is a big full wine with ample flavour and concentration in the classic Margaret River mould.

Medium term
5-8 years recommended