1994 was the vintage was the first classic shiraz vintage in the Great Southern region of WA that truly demonstrated the area’s remarkable potential to fashion a rich diversity of styles along its considerable length and breadth. The region has now quite justifiably been broken into four sub-regions, namely Mount Barker, Frankland River, Porongorup and Albany. Dr John Gladstones, a well-known research scientist in WA agriculture, had much to do with the introduction of shiraz into the region. His name has been given to a first-rate Frankland River shiraz to accompany Houghton’s now celebrated Jack Mann red, a cabernet blend. Houghton’s 1999 Gladstones Frankland River Shiraz is a deep, dark and peppery wine sourced from 30 year-old vines at the ‘Justin Vineyard’ in Frankland River. It’s powerful, sumptuous and full of impact, yet reveals the suppleness and fineness associated with northern Rhone shiraz. Its slightly leathery flavours of blackberries, black cherries and mulberries work perfectly with fine-grained tannins and creamy vanilla oak. It’s rated at 18.9 and will look its best around 2007-2011+. I have no difficulty justifying its price tag of $60.
