2024 Howard Park Flint Rock Chardonnay, Great Southern

Pale straw and bright in the glass. Aromas of pithy grapefruit, green melon, white flowers and a touch of nuttiness. Fresh, crunchy and textured on the palate, with a core of just-ripe stone fruit, apple, mineral acidity and a touch of grip. Smart length 30 Jun 2025m Drink 2025–2030

91 points Aaron Brasher therealreview.com

Howard Park Flint Rock Chardonnay is a vibrant and finely balanced cool-climate white that highlights the purity and elegance of Western Australia’s Great Southern region. Howard Park, established in 1986 by the Burch family, is celebrated for its meticulous vineyard work and precision winemaking. The Flint Rock range focuses on expressing regional character with clarity and finesse, and this Chardonnay is sourced from a selection of cool, elevated vineyards across Mount Barker and Porongurup, where the long growing season and ancient soils create Chardonnay with freshness, texture, and a distinctive mineral edge.

The vineyards sit on ancient granitic and lateritic soils with excellent drainage, which naturally limits yields and concentrates flavour. The cool maritime-influenced climate brings warm days, crisp nights, and gentle breezes that help the grapes retain bright acidity while slowly developing complexity. The fruit is harvested in the cool of the morning, gently pressed, and fermented in a mix of stainless steel and French oak barrels. Partial wild fermentation and lees stirring add subtle creaminess and texture, while restrained oak use preserves the Chardonnay’s vibrant fruit and flinty character.

In the glass, Flint Rock Chardonnay is a pale straw colour with green highlights. Aromas of white peach, nectarine, citrus blossom, and subtle flinty minerality rise from the glass, with hints of almond and brioche in the background. The palate is medium bodied and elegantly structured, with layers of stone fruit and citrus supported by lively acidity and a finely textured finish. The restrained use of oak gives the wine polish without overshadowing its cool-climate purity.

This Chardonnay pairs beautifully with grilled seafood, seared scallops, roast chicken with lemon and herbs, or creamy pasta dishes. It’s also excellent with soft cheeses like brie or chèvre. Best enjoyed over the next 3 to 5 years to capture its freshness and vitality, though it has enough structure to develop further complexity with short-term cellaring.