Howard Park Jete Premier Brut, Mount Barker

Hints at the luxurious with flavours that run deep. Lively citrus, grapefruit and lemon curd aromas with acacia, baked apple and gentle florals. Spent a minimum of two years on lees which bring a layer of yeasty complexity to the palate together with grilled nuts, toasted bread. Assertive, crisp and concentrated, this is a singularly attractive sparkling making the most of its naturally zippy acidity and immediate freshness.

93 points Jeni Port winepilot.com

It has toasty complexity, as in some toasted brioche with butter, and all the refreshing flavours of lemon and zest with spine-tingling acidity. Plenty of creamy mousse, fine bead and enough class to serve at a fancy dinner party or enjoy in the backyard simply because you can.

93 points Jane Falkner winecompanion.com.au

Howard Park Jeté Premier Brut is a sophisticated and finely structured sparkling wine from Mount Barker in Western Australia’s Great Southern region, crafted in the traditional method to showcase the purity and elegance of cool-climate fruit. Howard Park, founded in 1986 by the Burch family, has become one of Australia’s leading sparkling wine producers outside Tasmania, with the Jeté range gaining a stellar reputation for its finesse, precision, and balance. The Premier Brut sits at the core of the range, blending Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in a style inspired by Champagne while retaining a distinctly Western Australian character.

The fruit is sourced from carefully selected vineyards in Mount Barker, where the cool maritime climate and ancient gravelly loam soils create ideal conditions for sparkling wine production. The region’s long, even ripening seasons allow Chardonnay to deliver citrus brightness and mineral lift, while Pinot Noir contributes structure, texture, and red-fruited depth. Grapes are handpicked at optimal maturity for sparkling base wine, then gently whole-bunch pressed to preserve delicacy. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel to retain freshness, followed by secondary fermentation in bottle and extended lees aging, which builds creamy complexity and a fine, persistent bead.

In the glass, Jeté Premier Brut shows a pale straw hue with a lively, elegant mousse. Aromas of lemon zest, green apple, almond pastry, and subtle floral notes rise from the glass. The palate is crisp and finely textured, with citrus and orchard fruits layered over hints of brioche, nougat, and chalky minerality from lees contact. The finish is long and balanced, with vibrant acidity giving the wine precision and lift.

This sparkling wine is exceptional as an aperitif and pairs beautifully with freshly shucked oysters, grilled prawns, kingfish crudo, or soft cheeses like brie and chèvre. It’s also excellent with light poultry or vegetarian dishes. While delicious on release, it has the structure to develop further complexity over 3 to 5 years of careful cellaring.