Howard Park’s Margaret River Chardonnay comes from the Allingham Vineyard, planted to a combination of Gin Gin and Dijon clones. Parcels are hand-picked, cooled and sorted before gentle whole-bunch pressing, where only the free run juice is retained before being sent directly to French oak barrels. The approach for Howard Park Chardonnay includes a more conscious intent to express some beneficial winemaking artefact in the finished wine with an emphasis on the impact of juice and solids handling, bâtonnage and the controlled influence of a reductive environment on the development of flavour and texture. The wine iss blended after around eight months in oak, then allowed to settle in tank before bottling.
2025
“A supremely elegant and expressive Chardonnay from a cool southern site. There is a distinctive chalky, flinty character that defines modern Margaret River Chardonnay, combining power with finesse. Wild yeast fermentation occurred in mostly larger-format Burgundian oak, with lees handling and bâtonnage during maturation. The clonal mix includes gin gin and Dijon clones 95 and 96, with the latter contributing notable elegance and lift. A superbly composed wine.” 97 points, Ray Jordan, Ray Jordan Wine
“Wild yeast fermented, in large Burgundian oak and restrained battonage contribute to the precision of the wine. Grapefruit, citrus flavours , tingling acid beautifully balanced with the winemaking inputs land a wine with excellent length, purity and tensile complexity. The value offered is exceptional in the context of top shelf Margaret River Chardonnays which sell for $150+.” 5 stars, Fergal Gleeson, The Great Wine Blog
2024
“A wine with an immediate appeal, a straightforward proposal. The composition is clear and balanced. The aromas and flavours are well
defined. From almond nougat, apricot stone, glazed doughnut to white peach, pink grapefruit and rockmelon flesh. It has a slippery texture, very
smooth, shiny, and delicious. No need to hold back, just enjoy it.” 94 Points, Kasia Sobiesiak, The Wine Front
96 points, Gold, IWSC 2025
94 points, James Suckling
95 points, Ray Jordan
Top Picks, Margaret River Chardonnay, Young Gun of Wine
2023
“This is a cracking good chardonnay. A little winemaking involvement with battonage, wild yeast fermentation, time on lees and a mx of different format oaks has worked well with the intensity of the fruit. The nose is quite beautiful with aromas of nectarine and white peach with an edgier grapefruit nuanced in the background. The palate shows delightful texture but there is a minerally character that threads with purpose through to a very long finish. Nice spicy touch adds the final flourish.” 96 points, Ray Jordan
95 points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
95 points, Tom Kline, Winepilot
94 points, Kasia Sobiesiak, The Wine Front
96 points, Gold, IWSC 2025
94 points, James Suckling
Matthew Jukes’ 100 Best Australian Wines 2025
2022
95 points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
92 points, Ned Goodwin, James Suckling
