Cabernet Franc

Wine Review – 2013 Sassicaia

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Bottle Presentation A distinct, elegant cream-coloured label featuring the winery’s iconic emblem. The gold font elevates the bottle’s (and winery’s) presentation. Appearance Clear, medium garnet Nose Clean, medium-plus nose, with blackberry, dark plums, dark cherries, savoury spice, eucalyptus, anise, vanilla, tobacco, and a tinge of spaghetti sauce. We’d consider this a developing wine given the emerging tertiary notes. Palate Dry, medium-plus bodied, high acidity, medium-plus tannins, and medium, well-integrated alcohol. Medium-plus intensity, with sour dark cherries, blackberry, semi-sweet chocolate, cedar, charred wood, eucalyptus, vanilla, and green tea. Finish An enduring, enjoyable finish, with lingering eucalyptus and green tea notes. Overall Impressions A beautiful offering from an exceptional producer. We had been looking forward to pouring this wine since we purchased it in 2016, and now that we’ve done so, we’re left with mixed feelings. On the one hand, this is an incredible red blend that shone in so many ways. On the other hand, we’re disappointed we don’t have another bottle in the cellar (at least from the same vintage) to enjoy in a few years. This is an outstanding wine that ticks all the boxes for balance, length, intensity, and complexity. It is drinking beautifully now, though it could be cellared for many years to come. As with most of our best reds, we poured it with grilled steak, and the pairing was engaging and highly satisfying. Saying that, we could easily enjoy this red on its own, as it continued to open throughout the night. In fact, we found it was better later, on its own, after it had more time to open up. We’ve had some excellent reds in the past year, including a Château Latour and an Artemis from Stag’s Leap. In our opinion, the Sassicaia was the pick of the lot, which speaks for itself. Ratings Overall Rating: 98/10 E-Wine rating: 5/5. Purchasing a case extends a little beyond our means, but if we had the funds on hand, we’d be more than happy to do so. Value: 5/5. Although expensive, it is hard to imagine another wine that would top this offering regardless of price, which, in our book, makes it an excellent value for the experience (or the money).

An amazing Bordeaux blend from one of Italy’s smallest, yet best regions, at least in our opinion. Name: Sassicaia Vintage: 2013 Producer: Tenuta San Guido Region/Country:  Bolgheri, Italy Grape Varietal(s): 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc Alcohol Level: 13.5% abv Consumed: At home Recommended By: Purchased from the SAQ. Cost: $287.23 CAD, purchased in … Read more

Wine Review – 2005 Château Latour

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2005 bottle of Grand Vin de Château Latour, Pauillac, France

An iconic wine from a legendary producer (what else is there to say?) Name: Château Latour Premier Grand Cru Classé Vintage: 2005 Producer: Château Latour Region/Country:  Pauillac, France Grape Varietal(s): 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 0.5% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc Alcohol Level: 13% abv Consumed: At home Recommended By: Purchased from the SAQ Cost: … Read more

Wine Review – 2012 Domaine Queylus La Grande Réserve

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Domaine Queylus’ La Grande Réserve is an Old-World Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend showcasing the Niagara Peninsula’s immense potential for producing top quality wines… Name: La Grande Réserve Merlot-Cabernet Franc Vintage: 2012 Producer: Domaine Queylus Region/Country: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Merlot and Cabernet Franc Alcohol Level: 13.5% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Purchased it at … Read more

Wine Review – 2016 Vineland Estate Winery Elevation Cabernet

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2016 Vineland Elevation Cabernet wine bottle

The 2016 edition of Vineland’s Elevation Cabernet is another classic Cabernet blend from one of our favourite wineries in Niagara… Name: Elevation Cabernet Bo-Teek Vineyard Vintage: 2016 Producer: Vineland Estates Winery Region/Country: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Franc (77%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (23%) Alcohol Level: 14% abv. Consumed: At home Recommended By: Purchased … Read more

Wine Review – 2016 Rosewood Cabernet Franc Renaceau Vineyard

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2016 Rosewood Cabernet Franc wine bottle with extra large wine glass and pizza slices

Rosewood Estates Winery’s 2016 Cabernet Franc Renaceau Vineyard is a classic Cabernet Franc that shines when paired with food… Name: Cabernet Franc Renaceau Vineyard Vintage: 2016 Producer: Rosewood Estates Winery Region/Country: Beamsville Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Franc Alcohol Level: 14% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Discovered it at LIV Restaurant at the … Read more

Wine Review – 2016 Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cut

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2016 Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut wine bottle

The 2016 edition of Francis Ford Coppola’s Director’s Cut upholds the famous director’s legacy… Name: Director’s Cut Vintage: 2016 Producer: Francis Ford Coppola Winery Region/Country: California, USA Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot Alcohol Level: 14% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Found it at the LCBO (local liquor board) Cost: $42.95 CAD … Read more

Wine Review – 2015 Hogue Cellars Genesis Meritage

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This 2015 Hogue Cellars Genesis Meritage offers complexity, intensity, and length coming from a blend of five Bordeaux grapes… Name: Meritage Vintage: 2015 Producer: Hogue Cellars Region/Country: Columbia Valley, Washington, USA Grape Varietal(s): 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 16% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc Alcohol Level: 13.5% Consumed: At home Recommended By: … Read more

Wine Review – 2012 Cave Spring La Penna

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This Appassimento method red wine impressed us on day one, and it continued to shine 5 days later! Name: La Penna Vintage: 2012 Producer: Cave Spring Vineyard Region/Country: Beamsville Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Franc Alcohol Level: 17% (at this alcohol level, La Penna approaches some fortified wines) Consumed: At home Recommended By: … Read more

Wine Review – 2014 Skillogalee Basket Pressed The Cabernets

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A food-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon blend that will only improve with age… Name: The Cabernets Vintage: 2014 Producer: Skillogalee Region/Country: Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec Alcohol Level: 14% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Purchased at the winery itself, but some of Skillogalee’s offerings are available at the local liquor … Read more

Wine Review – 2015 Te Whau The Point

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A great Bordeaux-style blend at an enticing price point… Name: The Point Vintage: 2015         Producer: Te Whau Vineyard Region/Country: Waiheke Island, New Zealand Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot Alcohol Level: 14% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Purchased it in a local wine shop on Waiheke Island while visiting the gorgeous … Read more