2004 Howard Park Scotsdale Shiraz Tasting Notes

The Howard Park Scotsdale Shiraz vineyard is located in the Frankland River area in the Great Southern – the up and coming star of Western Australia’s wine regions. The vineyard is given extraordinary attention with canopy management designed to maximize fruit exposure to the sunlight and yields are low to achieve concentration in the grapes. The grapes are harvested according to flavour with little regard for analytical data, fermentation occurs in open topped stainless steel tanks with highly aerative pumpovers that are integral in tannin development.
At completion of fermentation the Shiraz is pressed off into French oak barriques of which about 60% are new, the balance being 1 year old. The wine was matured in the barrel for approximately 18 months. There was minimal fining and filtration performed.

This is a deep dark wine in appearance with a black heart and brilliant clarity. If the Leston Shiraz can be defined by red fruits then the Scotsdale Shiraz displays intense black fruits with darker cherry and berry fruits of great density and intensity. The primary fruits are complemented by chocolaty aromas and the distinctive spicy aromas of black pepper so typical of this vineyard and region. The palate of the 2004 Howard Park Scotsdale Shiraz is rich and opulent with intense and fleshy sweet fruits that fill the mouth and have considerable length of persistence. The spicy and peppery notes persist on the palate to give this wine a signature character. The tannin is complex and firm. This is excellent Shiraz.

Medium term
5-8 years recommended