An excellent Cabernet Franc from Pillitteri that was well worth the wait…
Name: Cabernet Franc Family Reserve
Vintage: 2002
Producer: Pillitteri
Region/Country: VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Franc
Consumed: At home as part of a birthday celebration (not saying which one).
Recommended By: Received it as a gift from a beloved source.
Cost: $100
Bottle Presentation: A clean, traditional label, showcasing the family pride on which the Estate was founded. We appreciated the information on the back label, which included the brix, the dates of harvesting and bottling, as well as the number and types of bottles produced. We were lucky enough to score a magnum made by then winemaker, Sue-Ann Staff.
Appearance: Medium-dark ruby red.
Nose: A medium nose, with smoky, cigar box, black pepper, and wood notes.
Taste: Medium body, with medium-high acidity and a nice mouth-feel. Flavours included sour cherries, leather, earth, smokiness, and cedar.
Finish: Long enduring leather and earth notes
Overall Impression: We received this excellent Cabernet Franc as a gift, then cellared it for nearly a decade before opening it on a special occasion. As expected from a wine of its age, an abundance of tertiary notes emerged, including leather, cigar box, and smokiness.
We had it with raclette and it shone when paired with grilled vegetables, grilled meats, and smoked and black pepper raclette cheese. We have long enjoyed Pillitteri wines and this one did the family proud.
Rating (from 70 to 100): 92
Value: 4/5