Houghton was established in 1836, just four years after the fledgling colony of Western Australia was founded. 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.

A wine of elegance and fruit power, C.W. Ferguson honours the contribution of early Houghton winemaker Charles William Ferguson. During his time at Houghton, Charles established a solid reputation for Houghton Wines. It was Charles who employed George Mann, father of legendary Houghton Winemaker Jack Mann.

A rich 68 per cent Cabernet, 32 per cent Malbec blend, wild yeast-open fermented, matured in Bordeaux-coopered barriques (33 per cent new) for 16 months. Frankland River offers the ability to make cabernet of intensity and length, yet make no demands on the taster for the calibrated flow along the palate. Closure: Screwcap; Drink to: 2037; Price: $78.00; Date Tasted: February 2020; Alcohol: 14%; Rating: 96 Points; James Halliday; Wine Companion