TN: Howard Park ASW Cabernet Shiraz 2023

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

This is the first bottle from a six pack purchased last year. Decanted before service.

A rich purple colour with a violet rim. Several aromas hit the nose initially - cedary oak, dark plums, blackberries, blueberries, violets, cranberry, vanilla pod and a touch of raspberry. The palate has some viscosity to it, and shows ripe dark fruits, slightly tart red berries, mocha, and more vanillan oak. Tannins are dusty and grippy but not overpowering, and there's plenty of freshening acid. Medium to full bodied, considerable length and the whole package is very well balanced.

I know from experience that this will age well, especially coming from a lauded vintage. I look forward to opening another bottle ina couple of years.

Cheers
Allan

ASW.jpg

[phillisc]

Allan, thanks for the note.
Think there's a couple of old HP's made by the legendary John Wade, in the cellar somewhere.
BTW, spotted a news story on TV that HP is ripping out vineyards and MR's crush is down 40% this vintage.
Sign of the times I guess, the wine lake has turned into an inland sea now... plus only old blokes like me drink Cabernet
Cheers Craig

[Waiters Friend]

... plus only old blokes like me drink Cabernet
Cheers Craig

Interesting comment, Craig, and one that was the feature of the Cabernet Cartel I attended a few weeks ago: https://forum.auswine.club/viewtopic.php?t=1 ... b631b44cd8

"There was considerable conversation which was as interesting as the wines. This included debate around how to sell young cabernet to consumers (especially younger consumers) and to promote Margaret River and its wines in a more accessible way."

Let's hope they are successful.

Cheers
Allan

[Chuck]

On this subject I was talking to a knowledgable guy at Dan's yesterday about the changing drinking habits of younger people. He showed me bottles of white wines that had flavours added to them. Passionfruit, strawberry etc.

[Ian S]

"There was considerable conversation which was as interesting as the wines. This included debate around how to sell young cabernet to consumers (especially younger consumers) and to promote Margaret River and its wines in a more accessible way."

Let's hope they are successful.

Cheers
Allan

One observation on that label. It's written in a style I see a lot on cheaper supermarket products, telling the customer that it's 'elegant and complex, rich and bold'. Use of such descriptors (invariably proven to be a load of bollocks when tasted) may subconsciously associate them with such cheap products, with the only saving grace that they avoided the words 'decadent', 'luxurious', and the worst of them all 'indulgent'.

I see two routes for targeting younger customers:
a) Widen the range to include natural wines, that have an immediate vibrancy and striking flavours. For many of us, these can be uncomfortable wines, but there's an element of 'the young punks' sticking two fingers up to the establishment. It's definitely a more youthful audience and typically the labels align with that.
b) Just make it good. If it's good, then it will gain a following. Aged releases though, with promotion through non-stuffy tasting events, can open a few eyes. Having a modestly priced wine that can cellar well, should also be a positive. Price consciousness is a factor for a generation with less disposable income. Wynns CS sets a standard here.