2023 Howard Park Flint Rock Syrah 12 Pack

94 POINTS

Ray Jordan - Winepilot

A thoroughly beautiful wine from this sensational vintage. Bursts from the glass with perfumed notes of slightly spicy and peppery cherry notes. The supple palate is well structured with fine tannins and neatly laced oak holding the sweet and succulent medium-weight fruit. It’s bright, brilliant and screams to be drunk over the next few years.

94 POINTS

Cassandra Charlick - Winepilot

Pretty notes of blue fruits intermingled with sun-dried tomato skin, fresh violets, a little salt dust, cocoa powder, and lifted crushed granite. It’s pretty and lifted, but the real joy is the follow-through on the palate. Silken and taut, an unbroken line of calligraphy from nose to finish, tip to tail. Elegant and fresh. Great persistence, and while there is succulence, fruit sweetness and an inviting juiciness here, it’s the savoury ironstone underscore and the mirage-like acidity that takes this to the next level. Australia is in the process of redefining the country’s Shiraz identity, largely through South Australian Shiraz. Yet one need only look towards these lighter-framed Great Southern iterations to see an effortless drinkability, freshness and clarity. Every single vintage, this wine stops me in my tracks. It’s one of the best value and most delicious West Aussie red wines. Buy a case.

93 POINTS

Jane Faulkner - Halliday Wine Companion

Intense dark-red hue, and intense flavours, too. Loads of brown spices, some pepper and mace infuse the black plums, squid ink and ferrous. Full bodied and rich, but what’s pleasing, it’s not weighty or heavy – the palate is supple as the tannins are plump and soft, then the acidity keeps everything on track. Good drink in anyone’s book.

93 POINTS

James Suckling

The nose is spice-driven, with aromas of Damson plums, dark cherries, white pepper and blackberries. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with finely integrated tannins and focused acidity, giving notes of mocha, granite, violets and spices. Soft and floral with underlying power. Very good.

91 POINTS

Tom Kline - Winepilot

This opens with an inviting savoury edge – grilled meat, au jus, white pepper and dusty cedar offering immediate appeal. Earth and subtle nutmeg sit in the background, with emerging dark fruit notes – black cherry and dark plum – adding depth and intrigue. It’s a layered and attractive aromatic profile. The palate is cool and lifted, yet offers ample medium-bodied weight. Flavours of black cherry, nutmeg, charry oak, blackberry and earth unwind in measured waves. Firm tannins are laced with spice, giving the wine both structure and energy. The charry element carries into the mouth perfume, adding a smoky allure. A midweight Shiraz of impressive complexity and poise for $30.

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2023 Flint Rock Shiraz is from a superb vintage, and the wine here is light and fine, with good energy and vivacity. Perhaps not as powerful or as earthy as I expected from the growing area and the vintage in combination, yet it is composed and elegant—neither of which are anything but wonderful things. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.