Last week I has the pleasure of tasting through the new release Howard Park whites with winemaker Janice McDonald. She’s forthright, honest, humble and intelligent as a whip. Howard Park have done well to secure her services. It surprised me a little to learn that over a career that spans more than twenty years, she hadn’t made a Riesling until joining the winery in 2011. It doesn’t show.
While the 2012 Howard Park Porongurup Riesling was all about form, extension and florals the 2013 is juicier and more approachable. Given that Great Southern Rieslings have a (deserved) reputation for steely austerity this isn’t necessarily such a bad thing. It may not live as long as its predecessor but it may get a few more people on board the regional train. Ripe lime juice and citrus blossom with a touch of sweet lemon. A little broadness from a warm year but enough mineral presence to carry it in its youth. I wouldn’t cellar it but I’d be happy to tuck into it now and over the next few years. 91
Region: Great Southern
Alcohol: 12.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $33
Tasted: October 2013