The Auswine Forum

The third and final TN in a three part mini-vertical over the last week.

Medium ruby with some red throughout the edge. The bouquet falls somewhere between the overt oaky/savoury nature of the '96 and the better balanced, fruitier '95. The palate reveals mostly high-pitched savoury oak, high acid levels and large-framed, chalky tannins, medium to full body, reasonable length but the fruit is very shy. Just too oaky, tarry and savoury to my taste. Rated as Acceptable. Enough said.

A consistent "house style" is evident in the 3 wines opened. Relatively high A/V combined with heavy-handed oak usage has produced wines with slightly monolithic personalities that dominate any statement the fruit is trying to make. If you are a lover of 'trees in a glass', no doubt, these wines are for you. The '95 is the only one I look forward to revisiting.

David.

I really wonder about this one. I have had it three times and have enjoyed it immensely on each occasion and it has been either the wine of the night or close to it when it has been served to a group of wine lovers.

Here is my last TN

The first bottle of wine was a <b>Houghton 94 Jack Mann.</b> This is a cracker of a wine and has a refined but powerful bouquet of integrated spice (white pepper), chocolate, black berry, cassis, cigar box and menthol.

Besides having a great nose, the wine has great structure and a very harmonious balance. Slightly drying, integrated soft tannins, integrated soft acid, deeply seeded solid fruit of ample weight make this a wonderful package. On the palate the wine has subtle pepper, chocolate, black currant and red cherry which finishes long. Rated as Excellent.

I really have to agree with TORB on the 94 this wine is huge and every time I have tried it I have been amazed by it's youthfulness I think this wine will still look huge in 5 years time , I've had the 94,95,96,98,99,00,01,02 Jack Mann I would have given every one of thes 18.5+/20 at least, quite frankly Houghtons are having a red hot go at making one of the best cabernet /cabernetblends in Aust, the 95 being (i think im right 9 gold medals and 3 trophys) the most highly awarded wine ever to come out of Western Australia. Coming close to the 95 Houghton show reserve shiraz. I love these wines

Sorry, I cant help but rave im a Western Australian

I really have to agree with TORB on the 94 this wine is huge and every time I have tried it I have been amazed by it's youthfulness I think this wine will still look huge in 5 years time , I've had the 94,95,96,98,99,00,01,02 Jack Mann I would have given every one of thes 18.5+/20 at least, quite frankly Houghtons are having a red hot go at making one of the best cabernet /cabernetblends in Aust, the 95 being (i think im right 9 gold medals and 3 trophys) the most highly awarded wine ever to come out of Western Australia. Coming close to the 95 Houghton show reserve shiraz. I love these wines

Sorry, I cant help but rave im a Western Australian

TORB wrote:
I really wonder about this one. I have had it three times and have enjoyed it immensely on each occasion and it has been either the wine of the night or close to it when it has been served to a group of wine lovers.

Ric,

Point taken and I respect your judgement as always. For whatever reason/s, this bottle was not in the same class as your tasting note suggests. I think I'm also becoming bored/tired (Simon (Kenzo) was espousing something similar the other day) with over oaked/high alcohol reds. I am enjoying a '95 Ch. Gloria (St. Julien - a lovely, elegant, balanced Cru Bourgeois) right this minute and would prefer this style of wine to any of the Jack Mann's I've tasted over the last week. Just my 2 cents.

I have 3 of the 94 in my "reserved" box of choice wine at work and one in the cupboard here so i may crack one on the week end. I got them at a good price of $40 which is a bit of steal (but i do work in a busy liquor shop and get a decent discount

I did sell one to a friend who thought the 1994 still had at least 10 years before it peaked..but was drinking very well now...

All my tasting notes have the 94 Jack Mann s sensational. Rich and creamy with plenty of tannin and oak but in balance.

As an aside, anyone else noted lots of seepage and crumbly corks? I only have a few left but a lot of the corks have been suspect. No problems yet, but I fear the wine will long outlive the corks.

Cheers, David

..unfortunately the one we opened tonight is corked..very musty.Lucky there will be no problem replacing it.The cork had broken/crumbled halfway thru. Looking forward to trying it.