AMAZING - Kacaba 2020 Reserve Syrah (Ontario, Canada)

 

Ontario, Canada seems an odd place to find Syrah; but there are pockets where the grape grows exceptionally well. Today, I'm looking at one of those places and one of those wines

Kacaba Vineyards 2020 Reserve Syrah

IMPRESSIVE Kacaba 2019 Syrah, Proprietors Block (Ontario Wine)

Does Syrah belong in Ontario? The short answer is: probably not - 

but there are certain pockets of the province (and in Niagara) that does this grape justice. 

Here's one : Kacaba 2019 Syrah, Proprietors Block

 

You would not think 2019 to be a year for Syrah; but if you were one of the first to plant the grape, that makes your material old vines, and here that helps. Here Syrah was combined with 10% Viognier, all estate grown, then aged in a mix of American and French oak for 17 months, giving the wine elements of floral and hints of fruit sweetness in the process. Peppery and smoky notes lead things off, before the fruit really kicks in: raspberry, blackberry and creme de cassis ... This is elegant and stylish version Syrah - that's not just good for the vintage, but really good in general ... Vintage be damned. 

Kacaba 2017 Cabernet Franc Escarpment (Ontario Wine Review #432)

An Ontario staple, when put in the right hands can be magical, this hits those notes : 

 

Kacaba 2017 Cabernet Franc Escarpment 

 

($32.95 - available at the winery and online).

Kacaba 2017 Syrah Proprietor's Block (Ontario Wine Review #419)

This Syrah is made by one of the pioneering vineyards for this grape in Ontario

 

Kacaba 2017 Syrah Proprietor's Block 

 

($32.95 each - available at the winery and online)