2007 Howard Park Leston Shiraz Tasting Notes

The 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 and yields are low to achieve flavour and colour concentration with harvest determined according to flavour with little regard for analytical data.
Fermentation occurs in static stainless steel fermenters: either 13 tonne closed static fermenters (predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon) or 4 tonne open top fermenters (mostly Shiraz).  The static fermenters have highly aerative pumpovers 2-4 times/daily and the open tops are gently handplunged which is integral in tannin development. After fermentation the Shiraz is basket-pressed off skins into French oak barriques of which about 40% are new, the balance being 1 and 2 year old.  A small component of Shiraz is also pressed early to finish ferment in barrel which adds texture, complexity and aids oak integration. This wine was matured in the barrel for approximately 18 months and after minimal fining and filtration, was bottled in December 2008.

This wine has an opaque purple red appearance of great density. Predominantly lifted primary fruits with raspberry, ripe plum and blueberry with an attractive lifted perfume of violets is the distinctive vineyard character that runs through each vintage of this wine. Underlying spice adds a cinnamon edge and the bacon and vanillan oak character will be swallowed into the wine with time.
It displays a powerful and plush palate profile with the youthful, sweet fruit mid palate showing Satsuma and underlying spice with the oak seamlessly integrated. The open knit tannin structure is typical of the Leston Shiraz and Margaret River Shiraz in general. This shows as an even gravelly textured mid-palate and mouthfilling richness which finishes with traces of soy and oyster brine complexity as the wine opens up. A remarkably persistent wine in the style of previous releases under this label.

Medium term. 5 - 8 years recommended.