Howard Park Petit Jete Brut Blanc de Blancs, Mount Barker

Citrus-driven aromas of lemon peel, grapefruit, oyster shell, white orchard fruits and sourdough bread. The palate is light-bodied with a finely beaded mousse and a generous yet restrained texture, with lovely autolytic notes and a fruit-driven finish. A new release predominantly from the 2023 vintage, disgorged April 2025 with 2 g/L dosage after 18 months tirage. 100% chardonnay. Drink now.

93 points James Suckling

The aim of this impressive West Aussie sparkler is to offer freshness and elegance and that is certainly how this wine drinks. The fruit comes from the cooler parts of Pemberton and Mount Barker. The wine spends twenty months on lees, is 100% Chardonnay and has a dosage of just three grams. The team is building a program of reserve wines. At the moment, this wine enjoys a perpetual reserve of 5%, but they will grow this to 10% down the track. The base for this wine is the 2023 vintage. Pale in colour, this is lean and fresh with hints of garden greens, sea breezes, spices, apples and freshly picked pears. There is good balance and intensity running the length and we see hints of citrus and grapefruit emerge towards the finish. Well focused, expect this wine to continue to impress over the next three to five years. Certainly, an aperitif style, but it would make an excellent pick-me-up at any time of the day.

93 points Ken Gargett Wine Pilot

Howard Park Petit Jeté Brut Blanc de Blancs is a refined and vibrant sparkling wine from Western Australia’s cool-climate Mount Barker subregion in Great Southern, crafted in the traditional method from 100 percent Chardonnay. Howard Park, established in 1986 by the Burch family, has become one of Western Australia’s most respected producers, known for combining meticulous vineyard work with a precise, elegant winemaking style. The Petit Jeté sits alongside the estate’s celebrated Jeté range, offering a bright, lively expression of Chardonnay with finesse, freshness, and a fine bead.

The fruit is sourced from carefully selected cool-climate vineyards in Mount Barker, an area renowned for its long, even ripening seasons and crisp natural acidity. The ancient gravelly loam soils and mild maritime influences allow Chardonnay to develop vibrant citrus and green apple flavours while maintaining tension and purity. The grapes are handpicked early to preserve acidity, gently whole-bunch pressed, and fermented in stainless steel to retain brightness. The base wines then undergo secondary fermentation in bottle, followed by an extended period on lees, which adds creamy texture and subtle complexity.

In the glass, Petit Jeté shows a pale straw colour with a fine, persistent mousse. Aromas of lemon zest, green apple, white florals, and freshly baked brioche rise elegantly. The palate is crisp and lively, with citrus and orchard fruit flavours layered over a delicate creamy texture and chalky mineral edge. The finish is long, fresh, and balanced, combining precision with approachability.

This sparkling wine is superb as an aperitif and pairs beautifully with oysters, scallops, grilled prawns, or goat’s cheese. It’s also excellent with sushi, light vegetarian dishes, or a simple plate of freshly shucked shellfish. Best enjoyed within a few years of release for its vibrant energy, though the quality of the Chardonnay and the traditional method mean it will hold gracefully with short-term cellaring.