95 Points - Ray Jordan
Howard Park Chardonnay is consistently a leading example of the modern style of Australian Chardonnay; barrel-fermented yet elegant, lean and sophisticated. The 2019 Howard Park Margaret River Chardonnay displays vibrant mineral, citrus and pear fruit characters with some savoury and nutty notes from the influence of quality oak and lees.
While drinking superbly now, there's no doubt this will reward those patient enough to cellar it for a few years.
"95 Points. This fruit comes from the excellent Allingham vineyard, south of Margaret Rivet town around Karridale. It is an excellent chardonnay region as the fine, yet super intense fruit can be shaped effortlessly into chardonnays of great style and class. There is a real hands-on approach here from the handpicking in the vineyard through to the hand sorting, whole bunch pressing and natural fermentation. The oak treatment is excellent providing a delicate balance to support the palate through to its long finish. This vintage presented challenges with some bird issues and early rains but those that managed it well achieved whites of outstanding quality. The nose is loaded with a mix of cashews and cream, creme brulee, with an oak, oatmeal and lemon curd thing happening. The palate is rich with a distinctive minerality cutting deep and long within the fruit mix of nougat and light fig. Drink: 2021 - 2028"- Ray Jordan, winepilot.com.
