TN: Howard Park Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

The fruit for this wine came from Margaret River (76%) and Great Southern (24%), and saw 21 months of 100% new French oak. This may be the precursor to Howard Park's Abercrombie cabernet sauvignon. Decanted a few minutes only before service.

Colour is purple with red tinges. The nose is quite intense, with graphite and cedar initially, then blackcurrant and blackberries emerging, along with just a hint of green capsicum. Over time, the dark fruit aromas increased. With some older wines, they mature into the red fruit spectrum but that is not the case here. The cedar aromas are still at the same intensity, but more in balance with the fruit now rather than dominating.

The palate carries the fruit through with similar intensity, and that fruit persists all the way down, in a somewhat linear fashion. Tannins are quite well integrated, and barely noticeable as a result, and there's sufficient acid to keep the wine fresh, without being at all harsh. There's a touch of glycerol mouthfeel, and the finish is extremely long, with a hint of mint.

A textbook Western Australian cabernet sauvignon. At 22 years of age, I'm not going to estimate its further lifespan, but there's no sign of being on the downward slide. Excellent and thoroughly enjoyable.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

Tasted again today (two different bottles), with the second bottle opened and decanted a couple of hours before service. Very similar notes to last December, and if anything, more dark fruit intensity.

Delicious, and there's still a couple more bottles remaining. Fabulous to have old wines that hold up so well.

[Mike Hawkins]

I’ve been eyeing off a 96 in my wine fridge. Might be time to pull the cork

[Waiters Friend]

I’ve been eyeing off a 96 in my wine fridge. Might be time to pull the cork

Hi Mike. I tried the 1996 Cabernet Merlot yesterday, and it was in good condition. Not at all likely to improve though, so definitely give it a go.

Cheers
Allan

[Mike Hawkins]

Thanks for the heads up Allan