Another excellent offering from the Beamsville Bench…
We purchased this Pinot Noir Estate following an incredible wine tasting hosted by Cave Spring’s Marketing and Sales Vice-President, Tom Pennachetti. We have long been fans of the winery and this particular red reminds us why.
We enjoyed the fragrant bouquet, a combination of raspberry, leather, cigar box, and earth notes, although, interestingly, we didn’t detect much in the way of forest floor, a hallmark characteristic of the varietal. Nonetheless, the mouth tantalized us with raspberry, red cherry, cinnamon, leather, and earth notes.
From the limestone, dolostone, and sandstone soil of the Beamsville Bench, winemaker Angelo Pavan, produced a medium-bodied Pinot Noir, with medium-high acidity and light, inoffensive tannins. Balance, complexity, and mouth-feel were all pretty much as expected from this “Estate” offering, a step up from the Cave Spring Pinot Noir, another very good wine.
We enjoyed this offering with barbecue chicken, roasted potatoes, grilled red onions, and grilled asparagus, and it more than held its own, complementing the dish. We could also see this Pinot Noir pairing well with other poultry dishes, especially turkey, as well as rabbit, and cream-based risotto.
At a hair under $40 CAD, we find it good value for the quality of the wine, and it comes in at a price point similar to many comparable offerings from the region.
Rating (from 70 to 100): 88/100
Value: 3/5
The Bottle Details…
Name: Pinot Noir Estate
Vintage: 2015
Producer: Cave Spring
Region/Country: VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada
Grape Varietals: Pinot Noir
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Consumed: At home on a chilly Friday night.
Recommended By: Purchased it directly from the winery after an incredible tasting hosted by Tom Pennachetti, Vice President, Marketing and Sales.
Cost: $39.95 CAD at the estate.
Bottle Presentation: Classic, clean, and distinctively Cave Spring, with the estate’s trademark hawk.
The Tasting Details…
Appearance: Pale ruby
Nose: A medium nose comprised of raspberry, leather, cigar box, and earth notes, offering a nice degree of sweetness.
Taste: A dry, medium-bodied red, with medium-high acidity and low, inoffensive tannins. Prominent tastes included raspberry, red cherry, cinnamon, leather, and earth.
Finish: A medium, tart finish.