2022 Howard Park Scotsdale Shiraz, Great Southern

A vibrant high energy shiraz from the Great Southern. Highly perfumed aromas of stewy plum and blackberry with traces of dried herbs with a sage-like character. It's soft and supple with grainy tannins threading deep and a light touch of oak to bring it to life. There is a beautiful clarity and pristine purity here. Dry savoury finish completes. 

95 points Ray Jordan, Wine Review 2026

Give this time to reveal itself as there’s a lot going on. It starts with florals, red and blue fruit aromas and exotic spices such as cardamom and star anise. The palate is tightly reined in by firm tannins, including oak tannins, plus crunchy acidity alongside an intriguing stony character. That’s the first snapshot. In time, it relaxes, and fruit fleshes out the palate, allowing savoury elements to appear. Very good and will be better with more time as this was tasted nearly eight months before release. Drink 2024-2032

94 points (Special Value) Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion, July 2024

The 2022 Shiraz Scotsdale jumps out of the blocks with highly complex and savory aromas of old leather, spice, earth and licorice. It is vibrant and moreish as cherry liqueur flavors are well matched to firm yet fine tannins, with a burst of acidity adding energy to the finish. A delicious drink now, but it has the balance and tension to step up a notch over the next decade. Drink 2027-2035.

92 points Angus Hughson for Vinous, January 2026

Deep, intense ruby with a bright purple rim. Mulberry, mulberry leaf and river stone aromas. Medium to full body with mulberry fruit lifted by dark spices and river stone minerality. Hints of dried rosemary add a freshening element that works in tandem with granular tannins to focus the finish well. Drink 2025–2034.

92 points Stuart Knox for The Real Review, April 2025

Frankland River is one of the Great Southern's most compelling sub-regions for Shiraz — remote, continental in climate, and producing wines with a perfumed, spiced character that sits closer to the northern Rhône than to anything from warmer Australian regions. Howard Park has drawn on vineyards here for the Scotsdale Shiraz for decades, and the combination of site, climate and careful winemaking gives the wine a consistency of character that is genuinely distinctive.

The 2022 vintage produced fruit of brightness and definition. The winemaking team at Howard Park has brought a lighter touch to the style in recent vintages, preserving the perfume and lift that makes Frankland River Shiraz so appealing without sacrificing depth. The wine saw French oak for 18 months, keeping the wood present but subservient to the fruit.

Deep ruby, the nose is lifted and fragrant — stewed plum, blackberry, dried sage and a thread of sweet spice. The palate is elegant and pure with silky tannins, vibrant acidity and a savoury, mineral finish that lingers with real composure. This is cool-climate Shiraz made with confidence and clarity.

Slow-braised lamb shoulder, duck with cherries, Korean galbi or a good charcuterie board. Worth decanting for 30 minutes to let the perfume open fully.

Drink now through 2030.