TN: Howard Park Chardonnay 2011

[Waiters Friend]

Hello

Two years ago, I hosted a Howard Park Chardonnay vertical http://forum.m.auswine.com.au/forum3/viewto ... f4#p140862. Then, the 2011 was voted wine of the night.

This was the TN two years ago: 2011 Howard Park Chardonnay (Margaret River 46.5%, Denmark 37.7%, Mount Barker 9.9%, Porongurup 5.9%, 12.6% alc). Again, the palest of yellow in colour. Lots of fruit on the nose, with honeysuckle, nectarine, grapefruit and vanilla all layered through. The palate was described as “everything in there” – spicy oak, zippy acid followed by a creamy texture, superb balance of all the elements. This wine received strong support from the group, with two tasters describing it as “divine!”.

In the intervening two years, it has developed noticeably. The colour is now yellow / gold. The fruits have taken a back seat on the nose, with honeysuckle more evident, and vanilla / oak still in support. The palate better reflects the previous tasting note - lots going on here, and the developed nectarine flavours are to the fore, but the other elements are all lining up in support, including the texture.

This remains a top wine, just different to two years ago (not surprisingly). Vive la difference`!

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

Nearly two years further on from my last TN, this is now fully developed and the fruit flavours are unlikely to develop much more (well, in a positive way, anyway). Lots of almost glace nectarine (if there is such a thing) especially on the palate.

However, this doesn't indicate that the wine has fallen over - far from it. Lively acid, some vanilla, lovely savoury developed characters and a very attractive mouthfeel. Long and satisfying finish. Still a complex chardonnay with a fair bit going on here.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

My last bottle, two and a half years on. Gold in colour, but still with some brightness in the glass.

Fruit is well into the tertiary stage of development, and the nose is more about savoury, nutty, melon characters than stone fruits. The palate shows honeysuckle, dried nectarine, cedary oak and savoury developed notes.

OK now, but probably more enjoyable 18 months ago.

Cheers
Allan