You've heard that 2020 was an outstanding vintage in Ontario, if not from me, you can read it or hear it somewhere else ... but what happens when a vintage is so good you only make one wine in at entry-level estate series level? And how good is that wine? ... Today, it's the Pillitteri 2020 Caretto Cabernet Franc
Time to look at another of those big 2020 reds from that great vintage in Ontario, Canada. Today, it's the Thirty Bench 2020 Winemaker's Blend Cabernet Franc
If the wine above does not link - find the video here: https://youtu.be/ZB_JA6X5HjQ
Fans of Cabernet Franc are going to dig on today's wine. It comes to us via Tuscany and grows in the soils of the Bolgheri region. Today it's the Orma Winery 2021 Aola di Orma
I'm giving away a big secret this week -
Saumur Puy Notre Dame is a region to watch if you are a Cabernet Franc fan
Domaine des Ruaults 2021 Les Deux Croix
This is the tale of two vintages, check out my 2020 review of this wine (linked below) -
and now here's the next vintage :
2027 Cellars 2021 Cabernet Franc, King Street Vineyard
here is a link to the video of the 2020 vintage wine:
Let's talk about a single vineyard, single block version of Cabernet Franc
from Ontario, Canada:
Ravine Vineyard
2020 Cabernet Franc - Lonna's Block
Written Review ... This is one of two single named blocks Cabernet Franc wines from Ravine in 2020- I know we're not allowed to use the words masculine and feminine to describe wines anymore; but this would be the y chromosome wine... It has the defining qualities that one would give to a person of that ilk. It's starts earthy, smoky and tobacco laced on the nose; but the pallet delivers on dark fruit, black raspberry and black cherry along with firm tannins, and a waitier firm structured length of finish. This is a punch in the mouth of flavor.
The 2020 vintage has given Ontarians some very different wines than usual -
this Franc is different and yet follows in the footsteps of other wines from this producer
2027 Cellars 2020 King Street Vineyard Cabernet Franc
The Review
There's a gentle easiness about this wine that shows some real appeal. It has a fruit-forward core with the brightness of black cherry and floral. I could happily drink this Franc like I’d listen to the Kinks: All the Day and All the Night. (****+)
Ontario really can hang its hat on Cabernet Franc.
Here is yet another exemplary example :
Tawse Winery 2020 Growers Blend Cabernet Franc
This wine has all the hallmarks of great Cabernet Frank in Ontario,
it's the Ravine Vineyard 2020 Cabernet Franc
The amazing 2020 vintage brings about another winner in the Franc category. The Ravine FranC has all the hallmarks of good Ontario Cabernet Franc... Tobacco, black cherry, blackberry with a hint of vanilla... There are also subtle notes of earth, a little char from the barrel and some toasty smoky notes on the finish; those should hopefully settle in time.
The new generation is female. Watch the video to find out what I'm talking about :
Clotilde Legrand 2017 Les Terrages
A tiny sub-appellation in the Loire Valley is making outstanding Cabernet Franc
Domaine de la Paleine 2019 Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame
Franc from Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame is special stuff;
this was the first I ever tired, and it is memorable :
Domaine Saint Landor 2019 L'Oblige
Cabernet Franc 100% - Fruit forward with lots of red berries: strawberry, raspberry, and hints of mocha - silky mouthfeel with an elegant finish.
This wine might be sold out, but it does deserve to be looked at,
especially because it was in such limited release;
and quite possibly the best wine to come out of this winery in a long time :
Hinterbrook 2017 Cabernet Franc (Limited Release)
This isn't the usual blank label, on-descript wine from Hinterbrook - this one has Cabernet Franc scrawled across the front, in what looks like the handwriting of someone using a fountain pen and being chased by a bear. This is from their reserve series, but it does not proclaim it's reserve status anywhere on the bottle – it’s just the price that that tells us the winery believes this is something special. 100% French oak, 75% new, bottled unfiltered and resting in oak for a whopping 34 months. There's lots of hidden dark fruit that weaves its way between tobacco, cigar box, cinnamon and there’s even a lovely layer of spiced raspberry on the finish. Not much of this wine was made: 966 bottles, and each is numbered; get it while it's around. (****+)
A brilliant bottle of Cabernet Franc that simply blew my mind
Domaine de Nerleux 2018 Les Loups Noirs
... WRITTEN REVIEW ...
Vines planted back in 1997, 70% of the wine spends 18 months in oak, 10% new, the other 30% remains in stainless steel and is then back-blended into the wine to create a fruitier character; the result is a wine of wonderful depth and character: dark berry fruit, nicely spiced with hints of vanilla. The dark fruit comes across as cassis and blackberry – this wine just sings in the mouth. (**** ½)
It's Cabernet Franc from Prince Edward County,
and it is really good Cabernet Franc from the County
Lighthall Vineyards 2020 Cabernet Franc
... WRITTEN REVIEW ...
This Cabernet Franc was made in a similar fashion to Lighthall’s 2020 Merlot: 12 months in 75% new oak, but it took very differently to its temporary wooden home. The fruit proves to be dark fruit in nature and also has tobacco and smoke with some bittersweet chocolate on the finish. There's also some pretty hearty tannins, but the fruit is still very much present, some sips later and it feels like it’s just taking a nap in the background. Give this one three to five years to settle down, then pop the cork and enjoy. (****+)
Consistency is key to this value priced Franc, but some years it just elevates to another level
Vineland Estates 2020 Cabernet Franc
>>> WRITTEN REVIEW <<<
Vineland Estates 2020 Cabernet Franc
Not since the 2016 has the basic Cabernet Franc from Vineland been this good ... Once again it feels like you're stealing from them at this price, so buy a bunch. Juicy with some rugged tannins that will make this one age a decade or more especially under screwcap. There's also some mocha, tobacco, chocolate-cherry and even some bittersweet chocolate on the finish. The fruit really is the signature here, but when that chocolate kicks in it takes it to the next level. Rating: ****+
Golf course or winery?
It's both and thank goodness, or we be missing out on this delightful 2018 Franc
Rockway Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Franc
THE WRITTEN REVIEW
I would not put 2018 into the pantheon of great Ontario vintages - but it proved to be adequate, and when it comes to Cabernet Franc sometimes that's all you need; which is why it has become a staple-grape in Ontario. This wine proves to be soft across the palate with nice black raspberry, blackberry, subtle tobacco, and herbal character, bordering on wet tobacco leaf - a hint of tannin bite and a little smokiness joins the fray for good measure. There's also a nice intensity on the finish. Rating: ****
First time Pearl has been on the video series, and what a great wine to introduce yourself
(in case you don't know, or haven't heard about these wines)
Pearl Morissette 2020 Racines du Ciel Cabernet Franc
The Written Review ... check out the video review above
When it comes to Pearl Morrissette wines this one seems to be very standard in the way it came together. Take a great vintage (2020), pull fruit from your home vineyard, age it in neutral barrels for a mere 12 months (shorter than usual) - all while using whole cluster and indigenous yeasts (the usual stuff you do) … and you get this beauty. Nose is all about tobacco, raspberry and blackberry with a hint of blueberry; while the palate has lots of upfront fruit, of the dark and smoky variety - following the nose (almost) to a tee - plus there are notes of clove, spice and even some leather on the finish. Very interesting, very inviting, and a great representation of Ontario Cabernet Franc from the 2020 vintage. Price: $32.00 - Rating: ****+
Kicking off the 2022 series with a fun video for a wine from Rockway, you'll see what I mean
Rockway 2017 Cabernet Franc, Small Lot
($27.00 - available at the winery and online)
The Written Review ...
A very palate friendly Cabernet Franc endeavour that opens up nicely and delivers from the nose to the palate: aromas of raspberry, cherry, mocha and tobacco with a subtle woodiness ... On the palate there's a plethora of fun including black cherry, tobacco leaf, mocha, and white pepper with a good tannin structure on the finish. It's pretty much a ready to drink wine, but still has the potential for another 3-plus years of cellaring. Price: $27.00 - Rating: ****
