Howard Park Scotsdale Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

The Scotsdale Cabernet Sauvignon is part of Howard Park’s Distinguished sites range, offering the chance to compare and contrast the same varieties from their Margaret River and Great Southern vineyards. This fruit comes from the cooler climate of the Abercrombie vineyard in the Mount Barker subregion of Great Southern, planted in 1976. The concentration of the old vines is evident from the first waft of aromas. There’s a bevy of juicy berries – strawberries, blueberries and blackberries with a hint of blackcurrant leaf. Beautifully integrated oak (25% new) adds subtle nutmeg. With a little more time in the glass, an exotic star anise unfurls. It’s very elegant on the palate, showing the contemporary preference for Cabernet with vibrance and fruit, rather than richness. There’s bright acidity and fine tea-like tannins. Pair with crispy roast pork and rosemary sea salt dusted crunchy potatoes.