Ontario is a province in Canada producing excellent Cabernet Franc in Niagara, Lake Erie North Shore and Prince Edward County so theoretically there is no need to look to Chinon in the Loire for good Cabernet Franc but to escape being labelled as unadventurous one may wish to try a French version of Cabernet Franc from the Loire.
Grapes were cultivated in limestone and clay soils with a layer of pebbles on the surface. Aged 12 months in 3–7-year-old oak barrels.
Aroma: Think of black cherry, blackberry and milk chocolate. The blackberry is not a characteristic of Ontario Cabernet Franc.
Palate: The tannins are also moderate and just a tad heavier than one might expect from an Ontario Cabernet Franc. Influence of black fruit and kirsch gives the wine a richer profile than an Ontario equivalent. It hides much of its fruit giving the wine a brusque taste profile. The kirsch gives this Cabernet Franc somewhat of a distinct character and becomes more prominent if the wine is decanted.
Personality: I am a full-bodied wine with fruit presently partially restrained by my tannins. I am built for food at this point but will soften over the next 5 years if you can wait that long.
Food Match: Grilled flank steak that has marinated in ginger, garlic, honey and soy sauce.
Cellarbility: Dink now or hold until 2029. It will improve with age as it sheds some of its brusqueness.
Price: $25 CDN (Ontario).
RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 91/100. Robertparker.com 93.
(Jean-Maurice Raffault 2018 Picasses Chinon, AC Chinon, France, 14%, 750 mL).
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