Howard Park Riesling 2004

So now we dip into the riesling portion of Howard Park’s museum wines. We’ve gone back sixteen years to 2004 and have riesling from vineyards in Mount Barker and Porongurup in Great Southern, two exceptional spots to grow the variety. The wine still has heaps of freshness in the form of lime, green apple and subtle passionfruit, but has clearly developed secondary characteristics that are herbal, honeyed and mineral. Howard Park stated it well in their original cellaring notes, saying ‘The refreshing citrus flavours create a wine that is very appealing in its youth. However, it may take up to ten years before the fine steely structure transforms into the toasty, rich, complex wine that is aged riesling’. We’re now well into that second decade and this wine is drinking beautifully. A rare find and one to ponder with every sip.