1999 Houghton Jack Mann Winery: Houghton Vintage: 1999 Region: Frankland River WA Bottle Size: 750ml Variety: Cabernet Malbec Price: $115.00 (out of stock)

WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS: Paul Lapsley

COLOUR: Youthful purple hues highlight a deep brick colour.

BOUQUET: Intense aromas of blackcurrant, plum liquorice and prune with underlying chocolate and mint. Hints of tobacco and black truffle are complemented by spicy notes of vanilla, cardamom and nutmeg derived from barrel maturation in French Oak.

PALATE: The palate reflects the nose with vibrant plum, cassis, mulberry and underlying star anise. Displaying great length and packed with flavours, the mid palate is full and round with soft fruit flavours. Tannins are opulent with great length and abundance.

CELLARING: Extended careful cellaring for 10-15 years will see this wine develop in complexity, further enhancing the fruit, oak and tannin.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Jack Mann was one of Australia’s most innovative and passionate winemaking pioneers. A true sage of the Western Australian wine industry, he immersed himself in the single pursuit of producing some of Australia’s great and remarkable wines at Houghton during his 51 consecutive vintages. This wine was created to salute Jack’s own achievements and represents the single best Western Australian, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, wine produced by Houghton.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE:

The 1999 vintage was one of the greats in Western Australia. A long and cool year resulted in well-matured fruit with ample yet soft and exuberant tannins. Classical Cabernet Sauvignon parcels were selected from Frankland vineyards. Gravely loam soils and 30-year-old vines produced fruit of intensity and power. Minimal handling of the wine in every aspect of its development has enhanced the fruit complexity. Maturation for 20 months in 80% new and 20% 1 and 2 year old French oak was then followed by bottle maturation prior to release.

SHOW RESULTS (as at August 2003):

Trophy Western Winery Supplies and Vaslin-Bucher Trophy for Best Dry Red Table Wine – Perth 2002 Wine Show Class 47

Trophy Tonnellerie Radoux Trophy for Best Consumer Class Red Blend – Adelaide 2002 Wineshow Class 38

Trophy Wine Industry Assoc. (WA) Trophy for Best Older Dry Red Wine Classes 27, 28 & 29

13 Gold Medals, 5 Silver Medals, 2 Bronze Medals