By Amy Looker, editor National Liquor News
The Swan Valley's most recognised winery, Houghton, has released the 2011 vintage of its flagship wine, the Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon.
Named in honour of the legendary Houghton winemaker who crafted 51 consecutive vintages for the winery, the Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon was first released in 1994 and is sourced from the Justin vineyard, which is part of Houghton's Frankland Valley vineyard.
The 2011 Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon has a cellaring potential of more than 10 years, with intense Cabernet qualities balanced by rounded tannins.
Mann took over as Houghton's senior winemaker from his father in 1930, having started his winemaking career at the age of 16 in 1922 and working at the Swan Valley winery until his retirement in 1972.
Houghton senior winemaker Ross Pamment, a 15 vintage veteran at Houghton, said it was an honour to lead the production of the iconic vintage for the Jack Mann label.
“Jack Mann made such a lasting impression on the wine industry, not only in Western Australia, but across Australia and around the world,” said Pamment.
“2011 was an early ripening vintage with warmer and drier conditions than average. The selected parcels from Frankland River were picked at just the right moment, producing some incredible fruit that will be a true tribute to Jack."
Houghton is also set to re-release its Crofters range, named after the historic homestead at Swan Valley and made with fruit from Pemberton, the Margaret River and Frankland River regions.
The Crofters range was originally launched 10 years ago and includes a 2013 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, 2013 Chardonnay, 2013 Shiraz, and a 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon.
The wines carry an RRP of $18.99 and are currently only available in Western Australia, with plans to roll out the wines in other states later in the year.
The 2011 Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon has an RRP of $114.99.