HOUGHTON Thomas Yule Shiraz, Frankland River

Houghton Thomas Yule Shiraz is one of the estate’s flagship Frankland River reds, named for British army officer Thomas Yule, who helped found Houghton in the 1830s. Sourced from old vines in the Justin vineyard, planted in 1970 in this cool, remote Western Australian region, it highlights Frankland’s reputation for finely structured Shiraz. Small parcels are hand crafted with careful oak handling in French barriques and puncheons, building a medium to full-bodied style with deep purple colour, aromas of wild blackberry, blueberry, raspberry and milled pepper, and a palate of spicy plum, liquorice, black cherry and subtle vanilla wrapped in long, silky tannins. Critics praise its elegance, intensity and balance, regularly ranking recent vintages among the top Frankland River Shiraz, with a drinking window stretching comfortably over a decade.