Howard Park Scotsdale Shiraz 2021

Frankland River. Hand-picked and hand-sorted. Matured for 18 months in new (25%) and older French oak barriques, hogsheads and puncheons.  Lightly fined and filtered after blending in the tank. Spiced plum,  leaning to plum pudding, but without the weight and richness of the Xmasy delight. This is all elegance. Hints of musk stick, crushed limestone freshness and blue fruits. Perfumed red florals – hibiscus, white pepper, and dusty rosehip. Cocoa powder, too. The plate is juicy and vibrant, yet its structure is held with a firm confidence. Savoury Shiraz, compressed cocoa powder, red dirt, red plums skin and rose hip laced with a tarry crushed aniseed note and subtle ironstone, iodine.  Delicious and elegant. Fine, velvety tannins and an acid drive with verve and style. It’s the savoury deliciousness and sumptuous elegance that pull me in for more here. Supple, and yet with a firm backbone. Not lean, but refined. Moorish and a delight. Vibrancy and energy. Pinpricks of spice and sparkly acidity. Great fruit concentration and presence. Slight menthol note, herbal note which isn’t leafy – more like dried herbs. Lovely and elegant. Great length. Seamless, and the oak is perfectly integrated.