My most recent tasting note is from a vertical in 2017:
2008 Howard Park Chardonnay (60.57% Great Southern, 39.44% Margaret River, 13.3% alc). Light yellow. Fruit is still developing here, with peach, cumquat and quince paste, alongside nutty savoury notes. The palate is slightly yeasty, with good balance of acid, tannic grip and fruit sweetness. Opinion was that this wine shows it “all coming together”, and if you like developed aged Chardonnay, this probably showed it best. Lots of support for this wine, from an excellent vintage.
It's now a full yellow in colour, tending to gold. The peach, cumquat and quince fruits have been slightly overtaken by savoury and nutty notes, but the fruit is still present - in fact, the nose remains quite complex and interesting. The palate is showing plenty of yeasty and savoury characters. The fruit is also well developed but noticeable across all parts of the palate. There's a hint of sherry on the back palate - possibly a sign that this is starting its decline.
It's been good to watch this develop over many years. Now for the 2009s.
Cheers
Allan