2018 Howard Park Porongurup Riesling, Great Southern

Floral and herb aromas indicate a more restrained Great Southern riesling style, thoughtful and introspective with just 12% alcohol. Honeysuckle, lime-leafy, citrus. Subdued palate, mineral, lime zest-cordial, cardamom. Budding complexity.

93 points Jeni Port winecompanion.com.au

A beautifully made wine of great delicacy and purity, reflective of its cool-climate origin. The freshly-zested lemon aromas are extraordinary and quite singular in their expression. The palate is focused and bright with citrusy acidity on the finish. Fruit purity and aromatic intensity are the hallmarks of this graceful wine 01 May 2019 Drink 2019–2027

93 points Toni Paterson MW therealreview.com

The Howard Park Porongurup Riesling from Great Southern is one of Western Australia’s most precise and mineral-driven white wines, showcasing the cool-climate elegance of the Porongurup subregion. Howard Park, founded by Jeff and Amy Burch in 1986, has become one of the state’s most respected producers, crafting wines from both Margaret River and Great Southern. The Porongurup range of ancient granite hills provides high-altitude vineyards, shallow rocky soils and cooling maritime breezes, conditions that are perfect for producing Rieslings of incredible purity, tension and ageability.

In the glass the wine is pale straw with a green hue. The bouquet is lifted and aromatic, with lime zest, lemon blossom, crunchy green apple and white florals, underpinned by notes of wet stone and slate. The palate is taut and racy, with citrus and mineral flavours supported by mouth-watering acidity. A fine chalky texture gives it shape, while the finish is long, crisp and saline. This is Riesling in its most crystalline form – pure, focused and elegant.

Food pairings highlight its vibrancy and acidity: oysters with lime, kingfish sashimi, Thai green papaya salad, grilled prawns, or a goat’s cheese tart. It also has the structure to match spicy dishes like lemongrass chicken or Szechuan stir-fries. With 12 to 15 years of cellaring potential, it evolves into a more complex wine, developing honeyed, toasty and kerosene-like notes while maintaining its citrus backbone.

Critics frequently rate the Howard Park Porongurup Riesling among Australia’s top Rieslings, often awarding scores in the 94–96 range. It has won trophies and gold medals at major shows, praised for its precision, balance and exceptional value compared to Clare or Eden Valley peers. For collectors, it is a benchmark Great Southern Riesling with both immediate appeal and serious longevity.