Howard Park

Written By Angus Hughson

Howard Park Tasting - November 2025

Jeff and Amy Burch are important figures in the Western Australian wine industry and have played a massive part in the evolution and fortunes of Great Southern and Margaret River. Originally established by ex-Wynn’s Coonawarra Estate winemaker John Wade, the early Howard Park brand became a visionary force in the emerging Great Southern. But it fortunes accelerated when Jeff and Amy Burch joined the venture as partners. While Howard Park was first recognised for its landmark Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling releases during the 1990s, its ‘relocation’ to Margaret River was a masterstroke in brand building.

Previously in 1988 the Burch family acquired land in the Margaret River with the intent of growing chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. The vineyard was managed by Jeff’s (now retired) brother David, a former principal of the Australian Ballet. By 1998 the Howard Park venture was merged into one with Jeff and Amy Burch becoming sole owners. A new winery was established in the beautiful Wilyabrup surrounds and the vineyard was renamed Leston after Jeff’s father. Howard Park possesses four key vineyards; Leston and Allingham in Margaret River, and Mount Barrow and Abercrombie in the Great Southern. In addition fruit is sourced from Pemberton for its sparkling (méthode traditionnelle) wine brand Jeté.

Meanwhile Howard Park has been an emblematic Western Australian wine brand for over thirty years. In 1997 it was included in Langton’s inaugural Great Wine Estates of Western Australia Auction. Subsequently it has enjoyed a strong presence in the collectible market, especially for its top wines.

Moving timelines forward the highly regarded Howard Park Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon is nowadays a 100% Margaret River wine. Although it was first based on the Abercrombie Vineyard in the Great Southern, the Leston Vineyard, with its ‘old vine- Houghton Clone’ plantings, is nowadays the mother vineyard -  with the best blocks contributing to this ‘grand cru’ release. Also, Allingham Margaret River Chardonnay based on plantings at Karridale is enjoying wide praise for its classicism and bottle aging capacity.

Howard Park has played an important role in generating interest in the cause of Western Australian wine, through its investment in vineyards, wineries and brand marketing. In addition it has elevated the reputation of the Great Southern and Margaret River through consistently producing high quality fine wines. In 2025 the contribution of Jeff and Amy Burch was recognised by the wine community when they were jointly awarded the Jack Mann Memorial Medal for their contribution to the Western Australian Wine Industry.

While the business has ventured into various directions over the last thirty years in response to the cycles of market demand, it has always been relevant and competitive offering some of the State’s best value fine wines. Its Mad Fish brand, for instance, is popular for its easy drinking quality and competitive pricing. 

While the winemaking team has changed over the years, succession has always been seamless, highlighting the ambition and focus of the Howard Park venture. Meanwhile generational transition is taking place at Howard Park with siblings Richard and Natalie Burch now stepping up as the estate’s custodians. In Nic Bowen, they have a highly competent, curious and imaginative winemaker while his offsiders Mark Bailey (senior winemaker) and Stephen Kirby (Viticulturalist) represent the best in attention to detail and discipline.

The current lineup under the Jeté, Howard Park and Marchand and Burch labels look very good with every release having a distinct character and story.

NV Petit Jeté Méthode Traditionelle Blanc de Blancs, Pemberton – Western Australia

Pale colour. Fresh apple crumble, hint tonic water aromas. Creamy apple, pear, touch lemon curd flavours, lacy textures, attractive mid palate volume. Persistent fine prickly effervescence and fresh long indelible acidity. Finishes chalky and long. Drink now – keep for a while. Delicious aperitif style. 12.5% alc. 92 points

NV Jeté Méthode Traditionelle Premier Brut, Pemberton-Great Southern - Western Australia

Pale colour. Attractively complex, lightly toasty, roasted almond, marzipan, lemon curd aromas with creamy notes. Sweet lemon curd, grapefruit, marzipan flavours, some light tonic water, toasty notes, attractive creamy bubbles and fresh quartz acidity. Finishes minerally and long. Lovely complexity and persistency. 12.5% alc. 95 points

NV Jeté Méthode Traditionelle Rosé, Pemberton-Great Southern - Western Australia

Pale salmon colour. Lovely strawberry pastry, hint marzipan aromas and flavour. Generous and creamy with lovely nectarine, strawberry fruit, lacy textures, attractive mid palate volume and long crispy acidity. Al dente / chalky finish with long minerally notes. Extra fine bubbles carry flavours across the palate. 12.5% alc. 96 points

2019 Jeté Méthode Traditionelle Grand Vintage, Pemberton-Great Southern - Western Australia

Pale colour. Marzipan, amontillado, touch crème brulée and flavours, light persistent creamy fizz, some grilled nut notes, underlying toasty, developed yellow fruits, and chalky textures. Finishes crispy and long with some herb/ bitter lemon notes. 12.5% alc. 95 points

2025 Howard Park Riesling, Great Southern – Western Australia

Pale colour. Fresh lemon curd, grapefruit, hint spice notes, Pure musky lemon curd, grapefruits, hint ginger fruits, fine lacy textures, attractive mid palate volume and fresh long supple acidity. Some slaty/ chewy/ al-dente notes at the finish. Very textural. 12.5% alc. 93 points

2025 Howard Park Arbor Novae Fiano, Jindong – Northern Margaret River – Western Australia

Pale colour. Floral camomile, lemon curd, tonic water aromas and flavours. Sweet camomile, lemon curd, bitter lemon flavours, slinky textures and fresh long juicy acidity. Bittersweet mouthwatering finish. Trophy winning wine but early drinking style. Drink now – Keep for a while 12.5% alc. 94 points

2025 Howard Park Sauvignon Blanc, Nannup & Karridale - Western Australia

Pale colour. Nettles, grassy, lemon curd aromas with underling savoury notes. Generous and fruity with ample grassy, lemon curd, touch nettle flavours, loose knit chalky textures, some mid palate viscosity and long fresh acidity. Finishes chalky and minerally long. Drink now – soon. 12.5%. 92 points

2024 Marchand & Burch Village Chardonnay, Great Southern – Western Australia

Pale colour. Grapefruit cordial, lemon rind aromas with hint of flinty notes. Sweet grapefruit, lemon curd, tonic water flavours, fine slinky textures and underlying vanilla notes. Phenolic twist at the finish with long indelible acidity. High tensile wine. Should settle down with time. Drink now – 2030. 12.5%. 93 points

2024 Howard Park Chardonnay, Margaret River – Western Australia

Medium pale colour. Intense grapefruit, nectarine, tonic water aromas with hint roasted nut, flinty notes. Generous and supple with ample grapefruit, nectarine fruits, fine loose knit chalky textures and fresh long crisp acidity. A fruit driven creamy style with very good volume and persistency. Predominantly - Gin Gin. Drink now – 2030. 13% alc. 93 points

2024 Marchand & Burch Mount Barrow Chardonnay, Great Southern – Western Australia

Medium pale colour. Toasty lemon curd, touch brown lime/ tonic water aromas. Sweet fruited, lemon curd, lime flavours, fine slinky textures, underlying toasty notes and pure crispy acidity. Finishes bittersweet with grapefruit notes at the finish. Attractive pure fruited wine with underlying savoury notes. Drink now – 2030. 12.5% alc. 94 points

2024 Howard Park Allingham Chardonnay, Margaret River – Western Australia

Medium pale colour. Lifted grapefruit, apricot, pastry aromas with toasted almond/ hint marzipan notes. Pure grapefruit, ripe apricot, nectarine flavours, beautiful al dente/ lacy textures and underlying toasty, roasted nut notes. Builds up chalky from and minerally with superb pure fruit notes. Exceptional. Drink now – 2034. 13%. 97 points

2024 Marchand & Burch Village Pinot Noir, Great Southern – Western Australia

Medium crimson. Fresh red cherry, hint Americano/ Campari aromas with herb notes. Sweet red cherry pastille, Americano, flavours, loose knit chalky textures, attractive volume and underlying savoury notes. Drink now – 2030. 13.5% alc. 93 points

2024 Marchand & Burch Village Mount Barrow, Great Southern – Western Australia

Medium crimson. Red cherry, hint strawberry/ red currant aromas with Campari notes and hints of vanilla. Generous strawberry, red currant, marzipan, vanilla flavours, fine chalky textures, lovely volume and mineral length. Lovely wine, Drink now – 2032. 13.5% alc. 95 points

2023 Howard Park Leston Vineyard Shiraz, Margaret River – Western Australia

Deep crimson. Intense ripe blackberry pastille, espresso, dark chocolate aromas with aniseed notes. Generous, blackberry pastille, black olive, panforte flavours, chalky fine tannins and underlying marzipan. Finishes cedary with aniseed notes. Lovely purity and torque. A very fine example of Margaret River Shiraz.  Drink now – 2035. 14% alc. 95 points

2023 Howard Park Scotsdale Shiraz, Great Southern – Western Australia

Deep crimson. Black cherry, red liquorice aromas with some blackcurrant cordial notes. Very pure and fruit drive with dark cherry, red liquorice flavours, slinky form tannins and well-integrated acidity. Finishes chalky firm with supple red fruits. Hint of pepper. Dink now - 2034. 14% alc. 93 points

2023 Howard Park Scotsdale Cabernet Sauvignon, Great Southern – Western Australia

Deep crimson. Parma violet, cassis aromas with hints of dark chocolate. Generous, chocolaty wine with ample violet, blackcurrant, black cherry fruits, fine cedary/ al dente tannins and underly savoury notes. Finishes chocolaty firm with graphite notes. Best to keep for a while. Drink now – 2038. 13.5% alc. 94+ points

2023 Howard Park Leston Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River – Western Australia

Deep crimson. Classical blackcurrant pastille, hint black olive aromas with mocha notes. Richly flavoured with abundant cassis, dark chocolate flavours, persistent fine-grained tannins and underlying cedar notes. Lovely claret finish with a tannin plume. Elemental but building complexity and volume through age. Drink 2028 – 2036 14% alc 96 points

2023 Howard Park Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River – Western Australia

Deep crimson. Lovely blackberry/ cassis/ dark plum aromas with praline, herb notes. Inky deep with blackcurrant pastille, dark plum fruits, persistent chocolaty/ graphite textures, underlying roasted chestnut notes. Finishes slinky firm and minerally. Very good density, definition and flow, Drink 2028 – 2040. 14% alc. 97 points

2023 Howard Park ASW Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz, Margaret River – Western Australia

Deep crimson. Roasted coffee, blackberry, dark chocolate, liquorice aromas. Inky and fruit sweet with ample roasted coffee, blackberry, aniseed flavours, loose knit grainy textures, a core of fruit sweet notes. Finishes chocolaty and minerally. A touch muscular. American oak-matured. Drink 2028 – 2035 14.5% alc. 92 points

Angus Hughson
Next

Cullen