Howard Park’s Scotsdale Cabernet Sauvignon is a single-vineyard expression sourced from the historic Abercrombie Vineyard in Mount Barker, Great Southern, where mature Houghton-clone Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted in 1976 grow on shallow lateritic gravel soils over sandy clay loam. Hand-picked fruit is fermented in a combination of closed and open-top fermenters, with selected parcels receiving extended skin contact to build structure and complexity before maturation in French oak.
2024
“The cooler Great Southern has certainly helped this excellent Cabernet from what was a hot year… impeccable balance of fine chalky tannins, some neatly applied oak, and high-quality fruit. It’s a flavoursome, rich, finely balanced wine of impeccable poise with a very long, focused finish.” 95 points, Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot
94 points, Vino Notebook
2023
“Deep crimson. Parma violet, cassis aromas with hints of dark chocolate. Generous, chocolaty wine with ample violet, blackcurrant, black cherry
fruits, fine cedary/ al dente tannins and underly savoury notes. Finishes chocolaty firm with graphite notes. Best to keep for a while. Drink now –
2038” 94+ Points, Andrew Calliard, Wine Pilot
Regional trophy, 95 points, James Halliday Cabernet Challenge 2025
2022
“This charms immediately with its heady aromas, following through with poised flavours and such an even palate. Nothing overt, just blackberries and cassis, cedary, spicy oak and inky/stony nuances with a juiciness and suppleness across the more mid-weighted palate. Lovely fine tannins and acidity in tow. It feels unforced, almost gentle. Ready now but will develop more detail with age.” 95 points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
