Howard Park Scotsdale Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
- 94
- $60
- Drink by: 2025-2035
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Another trophy winner from the team at Howard Park, the glorious 2023 vintage strikes again with this Cabernet from the Great Southern region, with fruit from the Abercrombie Vineyard in the Mount Barker sub-region. It is made entirely from the locally famous Houghton clone, which was planted in the 1970s. Just 300 dozen made. Dark maroon/magenta in colour, the nose exhibits an array of aromas, including plums, warm earth, cigar box notes, blackberries, bay leaves and tobacco. Supple, soft and generous, perhaps even a little more than one expects with Cabernet, it remains taut and focused, fresh and attractive. There is impressive oak integration, and very fine tannins sit on a lingering finish. This is a ten year proposition.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
