2005 Howard Park Scotsdale Shiraz Tasting Notes

The Howard Park Scotsdale wines carry the Howard Park label and therefore are sourced from only the highest regarded vineyards and are given extraordinary attention in the vineyard. Canopy management is 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 static 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 barrel for approximately 18 months. There was minimal fining and filtration performed.

The 2005 Howard Park Scotsdale Shiraz is a dense dark wine with an opaque heart and brilliant clarity. It displays lifted intense black fruit aromas with spicy and plum pudding characters of great density and intensity. The primary fruits are complemented by chocolaty aromas and the distinctive spicy aromas of clove and anise so typical of this Frankland vineyard and region.

The palate is rich and opulent with intense and fleshy sweet fruits along with licorice and chocolate that fill the mouth and have considerable length of persistence. The spicy and peppery notes persist on the palate to give this wine its signature character. The tannin is mouth filling and fine, complex and silky. This is excellent Shiraz of great fruit density and character.

Medium term
5-8 years recommended