Houghton was established in 1836. It is one of Australia's oldest operating wineries. Houghton is now the tenth-largest red and white bottle brand in Australia, and sources fruit from every major premium grape-growing region in WA, including Gingin, Margaret River, Frankland River and Mount Barker in the Great Southern, and the emerging Pemberton region.

The Houghton Gladstones Cabernet Sauvignon honours renowned viticulturist and long time supporterof 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 recognised in 2008 when he received the Maurice O’Shea award for outstanding contribution to the wine industry.

There's nothing heavy-handed about this exceptional wine. Heady aromas of mulberries, cassis and blackberries with just the right amount of leafy freshness and some Aussie bush fragrance, too. Fuller bodied yet the palate is elegant and refined with beautiful, textural tannins complemented by fine acidity. Impressive now and will last some distance, garnering even more complexity along the way. Alcohol: 13.5%; Drink to: 2040; Price: $100.00; Rating: 97 Points & Special Value Star; James Halliday Wine Companion

Deep ruby. The nose is all dark fruits—blueberry, blackberry, blackcurrant—the essence of ripe cabernet sauvignon, with touches of violets, bresaola and dark earth adding floral and savoury dimensions. Unusually for top-notch cabernet, oak doesn't assert itself too much in its youth. Instead plump, juicy fruit is its heart, and the round, juicy, full-bodied palate is satisfying and complete, with appropriately measured tannins in easy harmony. An outstanding and regional flagship cabernet. Date Tasted: December 2024; Drink: 2025 to 2045; Rating: 97 Points; Ralph Kyte-Powell; The Real Review

A wine which honours Dr John Gladstones, one of the greatest and most important people in the WA wine industry. A most elegant expression of this wine, which seems to indicate an approach to introduce more elegance and control. Minerally and slightly leafy blackcurrant on the nose with other notes of dark chocolate and light plum. The palate sings a delightful tune with fine tannins and fine-grained oak supporting fruit of power and poise. A most complete wine. Drink by: 2025-2043; Price: $105.00; Rating: 97 Points; Ray Jordan