2023 Howard Park A.S.W Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 1.5L Magnum

This wine was introduced to the portfolio a few years ago and is quite a departure from the usual Howard Park style. Primarily, it is the use of a significant portion of American oak to produce a distinctive style. Little wonder that this vintage is probably the best, as it strikes a great balance between the exquisite fruit and the sweet vanilla notes of the oak. Loads of blackcurrant and ripe satsuma plum with a little glazed cherry adding further complexity. The final addition of French oak adds the polish and finish to what is a very good wine.

Dense ruby with purple at the rim. Blackcurrant, cedar shavings and tomato leaf aromas. A powerful and weighty palate with ripe black fruits layered with cedar wood, tobacco and a dusty earth note. Great length; for its youth the tannins are particularly well resolved but still ensure grip and drive to the long, drying finish

The two varieties are aged seperately in French oak for 18 months, blended then popped into American oak for two months. Why bother with the latter? Something I’ll follow up on. Either way, the lovely ‘23 season has not been dampened by overt oak flavour as pristine fruit comes outs, delicately spiced, with plenty of savoury inputs in nori, tapenade and ironstone. For such a youthful red, this is vibrant but also composed, the tannins exceptional. The length lingers, while tempting to drink this now, more time in bottle will add more complexity.

It’s a style, with richness no less; it’s sweet-scented, leading with liquorice, sugar almond, dark chocolate Jaffa and a full baking spice cabinet. If you’re into the rich style, with sweet nutty oak, and solid ripe fruit, it’s gonna rub you all the right ways. Given it’s of that full-flavoured style, it manages to be elegantly put together with intensity of flavour and good finish. The tannins are sandy, the acidity vibrating, all backed by quality fruit. No problems.

A.S.W continues to be matured in French oak with some “significant” use of American oak. It works a treat, producing a particularly stylish and approachable Cab-Shiraz in 2023. So easy to enjoy right now – and I did! – in all of its black fruited, plummy, sweetly spiced goodness. Cabernet Sauvignon (61%) takes the lead role and brings a subtle background mix of light herbals, earth notes, and is paired well with a smooth, harmonious tannin structure. Oak presence doesn’t seem quite as much a feature here as in previous vintages, allowing the fruit a little more of a moment to show its class. But, while we might note the generosity of fruit, it remains well structured. Some things don’t change.

Aromas of ripe plums, black cherries, blackcurrants, licorice, spices and red peppercorns. The palate is full-bodied with a generous texture and firmly
framed tannins, showing layers of compact fruit with plenty of structure and complexity.