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Subtle threads of violets, cherry blossom and fresh juniper berries serve as highlights to an ample tapestry of black plums, cacao nib and ironstone. Sheer textures of crushed granite and black cherry skin are laced with porcelain tannin and quenching natural acidity.

COLOUR Deep brick with purple hue. NOSE Perfumed lively nose of rose petals violets, dried herbs and chocolate. PALATE This is a big robust Margaret River Cabernet blend which has plenty of ageing potential. The palate has volumes of fresh berry and violet flavours giving the mid palate a perception of sweetness which is balanced by a fine acidity and some very soft dry chalky tannins. WINEMAKING Hand-picked in the cool of the morning, the fruit was gently destemmed and cold soaked for 5 days prior to being inoculated with a cultured yeast strain. Fermentation was relatively cool, around 20 degrees, although we allowed the ferment to achieve temperatures around 28 degrees early in the ferment. Following fermentation, to maximize the extraction of colour and generous soft tannins there was a post ferment maceration of 15 days before pressing directly to barrels. In barrel the wine was inoculated for malo-lactic fermentation and racked and SO2'd before being returned to barrel for a cool maturation before being blended stabilised and bottled.

An outstanding parcel of fruit sourced from a single vineyard in Southern Margaret River along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge. Violets, thyme and black currants on the nose combine with black olive and tobacco leaf, a true Margaret River expression. A fleshy palate of cassis and cherry with terrific structure, acid and tannin in balance and a vibrant finish.

This wine shows the style of the vintage and quite likely the impact of the small crop. In such years, Cabernet Sauvignon in particular, has a complex but somewhat subdued nose, where the wine hints of the underlying power and complexity but takes years to reveal its true colours. So here we see smouldering red currant, black currant and mulberry, with a floral, violet lift, sitting over cedar and tar. On the palate there is concentration and length - dark fruits combining with firm tannin and leather and tarry notes.

Colour and Condition: Deep brick red; bright condition. Nose: A smoldering combination of red currant, blueberry, violets, rum and raisin chocolate and tar, with a touch of white pepper. There are toasty oak notes and plenty of Cabernet cedar and tarriness. Palate: The wine commences with bright sweet fruits of red currant and mulberry, almost fairyfloss-like, that run the full length of the palate. Even with this fruit sweetness, underneath there is good balance of acidity and tannin, so the wine is concentrated and relatively smooth, especially pleasing in this type of year. On the finish there are toasty oak notes and classical Cabernet Sauvignon tarriness.

Houghton Gladstones Cabernet Sauvignon is a wonderful example of well established wineries in the Western Australian wine scene with access to some amazing vineyards sites within the Margaret River. On show here are marvelous aromas and flavours of bay leaf, black tea and some spicy mocha notes. Excitingly dense on palate with harmonious oak balance and impressive acidity. A brilliant wine.

Aged in French oak for up to 20 months. Totally opaque black dark red colour with a deep dark red hue. Pronounced aromatics of blackcurrant and mulberry infused with bay leaf greet the nostrils with cedary tobacco, dried herb and spicy black olive notes in tow. Medium bodied, rich red to blackcurrant and mulberry fruits meld into distinct cedary tobacco characters, dusty earth, subtle black olive and spice characters. Refined yet sturdy mouthfeel with graphite like tannins and long elegant aftertaste. Cellar 6-8 years. Alc. 14%

Grape variety - 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Oak maturation - 15 months, 60% new and 40% 2 year old French oak barriques. Colour - Deep red with red-purple hue. Aroma - A ripe, concentrated and complex wine that’s loaded with cedar oak, cassis, bay leaf, damp earth, dried lavender and gravel dust. Palate - Rich and long with very fine tannin. There are classic Cabernet characters of cassis, bay leaf, mulberry, cocoa and lavender with cedar oak in support. A ripe, brooding wine that will benefit from decanting. Food matches - This wine suits the classics. Try with matured hard cheeses, rosemary infused lamb or rare beef fillet steak. Peak drinking - Drinking well upon release but has the potential to evolve and impress towards 2032. Viticulture - Fruit sourced to make the Yelverton is grown with absolute attention to detail. Identification of soil boundaries within blocks is the first step in selecting potentially superior fruit. Close monitoring and analysis of these vines leads to shoot or bunch thinning by hand if required to obtain the perfect balance for good exposure and healthy ripening. A philosophy of minimal inputs in these premium blocks allows the unique combination of variety, soil type and microclimate to shine through and produce a parcel of fruit with true character. The 2020 vintage was a near perfect growing season with mild day temperatures, cold nights and no heat spikes. Winemaking - Our Forester Yelverton Cabernet Sauvignon parcels are gently crushed to small open fermenters and receive a slight “drain-off’ of free run juice to increase the skin to juice ratio. This helps intensify the flavour, aroma and body of the wine without altering the underlying unique vineyard qualities present. A slow temperature controlled ferment is employed with daily draining away of fermenting juice under gravity and pumping back over the skins to assist in the extraction. Heading down boards keep the ‘cap’ of skins submerged beneath the cool fermenting wine to avoid excessive heat which we believe leads to a more refined wine. The ideal skin contact time in fermenter varies from one vintage to the next with the 2020 Cabernet spending an average 25 days in contact with skins before pressing out. The best parcels are aged in fine grained French oak barriques for 15 months with careful blending of the Yelverton taking place approximately three months prior to bottling. Storage and Bottling - The 2020 Yelverton was bottled in November of 2021 to premium claret glass with a stelvin closure. Stored in our temperature controlled cellar prior to release this wine is drinking exceptionally well now and with prudent storage should continue to show well towards 2032. Decanting recommended.