TN: Howard Park Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2022 9:37 pm
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
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