2006 Howard Park Leston Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting Notes

The Howard Park Leston 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 maximise fruit exposure to the sunlight, critical in 2006, 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. The Cabernet Sauvignon is given some 20 days on skins after completion of fermentation to further develop the tannin profile prior to going to French oak barriques; 35% new 65% 1 year old. The Leston Cabernet Sauvignon was matured in barrel for approximately 18 months. There was minimal fining and filtration performed.

The 2006 Leston Cabernet Sauvignon has a dense dark red colour with great limpidity. Its bouquet is intense and led by blackcurrant and berry fruits with some cool year undertones of tomato leaf and dried sage. Behind the primary fruits are distinctive vineyard characteristics of dark chocolate. Supporting oak is background cedar which will recede further as the fruits emerge with some bottle age.

This year has produced a more elegant style of Leston Cabernet Sauvignon, more in common with its cousin, the Scotsdale Cabernet.

Very youthful and tight, the 2006 still has ample curranty fruit, mid-palate power and elegance with well integrated cedar/mocha oak and long, firm but fine textured tannins. A wine that will reward cellaring for the next 5-8 years, developing more cassis and earthy/leathery complexity.