Colio Estate Vineyards ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Franc 2005
VQA Lake Erie North Shore $20.95 12.7% alcohol
This is nicely textured and well structured. Graphite, mineral and gamey notes dominate the lifted aromas while the racy dry flavours deliver a persistent tang-laden stream of minty cherry, pomegranate and cranberry. It’s mid weight and generously textured showcasing an herbaceous finish of tobacco leaf, oak and pomegranate flavour. Aerate/decant for a couple of hours and serve with Swiss steak. (Vic Harradine)
Pillitteri Estates Winery Cabernet Franc 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $20.00 13.5% alcohol
Bright red berry and cherry aromas segue sweet rich flavours of black currant, mulberry and minty lip-smacking cranberries. This is well balanced and structured with an underpinning of firm tannin. Generously textured and medium to full bodied, the aftertaste dishes out tang-laden red berry fruit along with a drying aftertaste. Aerate/decant for three hours and pour alongside a rare- to medium-rare grilled rib eye. (Vic Harradine)
Strewn ‘Terroir’ Cabernet Franc 2007
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $32.00 12.9% alcohol
Spice and dark field berry fruit aromas segue full-bore flavours—ripe black cherry, cranberry and spiced black plum—that persist through the lengthy dry finish. For now, it’s the firm tannin structure that’s predominant, but two more years in the bottle or a three-hour aeration/decant will help smooth them out. It’s mid weight, generously textured and dishes out nuances of espresso roast and more ripe fruit flavours on the drying aftertaste. Drink 2012 to 2016. Order on-line direct from Strewn or pick up from the winery. (Vic Harradine)
Strewn Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 12.9% alcohol
Aromas of mineral, earthiness and black plum roll off this cellar dweller while the fruit-forward flavours—black currant, black Bing cherry, pomegranate, with welcomed accents of chocolate and mint. It’s medium to full bodied, nicely textured and wrapped firmly in a ripe, but firm tannin grip. It finishes well balanced, dry and full of promise. Drink 2013 to 2018 alongside a slab of strip loin grilled rare to medium rare. Order on-line direct from Strewn or pick up from the winery. (Vic Harradine)