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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Another very good red from one of Niagara’s hidden gems… Made in Appassimento style, this bold red blend from Kew Vineyards in Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Heritage, has plenty to offer. Blueberries, leather, anise, grilled meat, and a hint of green cedar round out the aromatic bouquet. In the mouth, we enjoyed a complex array of … Read more
A Niagara red Bordeaux blend that rivals, if not surpasses, many of its French counterparts… This bold, juicy red blend from Stratus Winery in Niagara offers plenty of complexity and balance in an Old-World style. Dark jammy fruit, black pepper, leather, and savoury spice dominate the nose, although we enjoyed the semi-sweet chocolate notes and … Read more