I love my cab francs. Niagara makes some lovely one. So on our trip to the Finger Lakes I was anxious to try theirs. This one is dark in color with a nice nose of dark berries. On the mid pallet the wine immediately hits with some pepper and then comes through with lots of black cherries. Rich and bold. On the medium length finish the wine displays some lingering black berries some tannins and some acidity. This is a lovely cab franc. I would give it an 89 or so. $21.85 at the winery, not in the LCBO.
From the winery’s web site:
Cabernet Franc 2012
Cabernet Franc is quickly gaining a reputation as a star in the Finger Lakes. This grape is ideally suited for cool climate growing and produces a consistently ripe crop each vintage. Although it is often used as a base for a blend, this grape stands beautifully on its own as a full bodied wine. Grown in the warm confines of our Magdalena Vineyard site, a lengthy growing season produces exceptional depth of character. The deep color matches ripe fruit and earthy tones as a prelude to velvety firm tannins and rich black cherry flavor.
Food Pairing: Beef, Lamb, Grilled Meat
GRAPE: 100% Cabernet Franc
HARVEST: October 15-30, 2012
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 13%
VINIFICATION: 8 Months in Older French Oak, Fermented in Individual 100 Gallon Lots
