The fruit for the 2005 Howard Park Chardonnay is from a select group of vineyards in the far south of Western Australia. Wonderful ripening conditions in the summer of 2005 allowed us to harvest fully ripe Chardonnay grapes with good acidity. The fruit was hand picked thus allowing positive bunch selection and avoiding the pick up of bitter phenolic characters from skin contact.

This is an elegant but powerful wine. Grapefruit, lime and citrus zesty aromas and flavours define the wine, with hints of minerality and a savoury, almost flinty character derived perhaps from the lees stirring in barrel. The palate is tightly structured with clean acidity and a fresh vibrant mouthfeel. The oak is complementary to the wine with subtle nutty and savoury characters.