The Houghton Gladstones Cabernet Sauvignon honours renowned viticulturist and long-time supporter of Houghton, Dr John Gladstones. In 1965 John published a scientific paper identifying the suitability of the Margaret River region to produce premium wine grapes. His importance as a viticultural researcher was recognized in 2008 when he received the Maurice O’Shea award for outstanding contribution to the wine industry.
The grapes for the Houghton Gladstones Cabernet Sauvignon come predominantly from the Batley vineyard in the Wilyabrup subregion of Margaret River. The low yields and excellent vineyard site provide depth, intensity and classic Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon characters of cassis and bay leaf. The 2020 Houghton Gladstones Cabernet Sauvignon is a muscular wine with ripe, fine tannins that give texture, balance and poise.
The fruit was handpicked to maximize quality and to allow sorting of the fruit in the winery. Fermented in open top fermenters with indigenous yeast for ten days the wine was gently pressed off skins in a basket press, to complete malolactic fermentation in French oak. Following malolactic fermentation, the wine spent a further 15 months maturation in new, 1 year old and seasoned French oak barriques. This is a small volume wine that was handled separately through its life and speaks of the vineyard site where the grapes were grown.
This wine has a dark red appearance with a scarlet hue. The bouquet is intense with distinct characteristics of the Batley vineyard. Aromas of cassis, plum and milk chocolate combine with bay leaf, thyme and cigar box notes. French oak maturation enhances the complex bouquet with vanillin, pastry and subtle spice.
The palate is full bodied and highly structured. This wine shows classic varietal characters of cassis, dark berry fruits and tobacco. The palate is fruit driven with fine firm tannins. The French oak maturation brings complexity, texture and length to the wine.
FOOD SUGGESTION: Enjoy with a Char-grilled steak, rich beef-based dishes or hard cheeses.
95 POINTS - Halliday Companion 2024 -"There’s no denying the presence of the variety and its region. It’s intensely flavoured: full of mulberries and cassis, five-spice and cedary oak with wafts of violets and cooling menthol. It’s fuller bodied and structured but not weighty, it seems to effortlessly work across the palate with shapely tannins and refreshing acidity... it stands proud and tall." Jane Faulkner Published 02 August 2023
97 POINTS - Ray Jordan - "A wine that pays homage to Dr John Gladstones, whose work was largely responsible for the development of Margaret River. This is right up there with any that have been made, coming from a vintage that was well suited to the variety. Leafy blackcurrant fruit with a graphite oyster shell nuance working with a sliver of black olive. It's a substantial and powerful wine. A fitting tribute, yet there is elegance and poise that stems from the clever balance of fruit, oak and tannin."
