Niagara make some great Cab Francs. The ones from Niagara on the lake (which this is) tend to be softer than those from the Escarpment. This one has lovely dark cherry on the nose. On the mid palate this displays some varietal cab franc notes, dark cherries and some nice mocha notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays some soft tannins and some nice dryness that build in the mouth along with some nice acidity and a hint of pepper. This is a smooth soft cab franc with some nice complexity in the finish. I would give it an 88-89. $24.95 a bottle at the winery.
From the Winemakers web site:
Paul Bosc and Amélie Boury’s Winemaker’s Notes
Cabernet Franc is one of Niagara’s signature grape varieties and this is an excellent example of how it can be made into a complex wine with aging potential. The grapes are hand picked and then undergo temperature-controlled fermentation so the wine does not come across as “over extracted”. It’s then aged for one year in 1-2 year old French oak barrels to add an extra layer of flavour but not mask the essence of the wine. It’s ruby coloured, with flavours of raspberry and pipe tobacco. Although this wine is ready to drink, it will continue to develop in the bottle for at least 5-10 years.
Miguel Fontalvo’s vineyard manager’s Notes
We are fortunate to be able to work with the St. David’s Bench Vineyard. It is an incredible site. Because it is so far from the lake and nestled against the Escarpment, we are able to achieve full maturity and ripeness in our reds. We do a lot of hand-work in the rows to help the vines concentrate their flavours. This site also features underground sreams that carry limestone off the Escarpment. The vine roots access this water and we believe it is what gives wines grown here their signature minerality.
