A bold statement indeed to maintain any wine these days can change the game. More marketing fluff but as I have said many times a label really makes little difference as what matters is in the bottle. For example, this year the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team has changed professional baseball in Toronto to a pitiable state. The most important statistic at the ballpark this year was the 70,000 loonie hotdogs sold at the last loonie hotdog night for the season. So the game can be changed for the worse. Careful what you say Vineland Estates!
As a minimum knowing Vineland Estates one can expect a decent bottle of Cabernet Franc. This wine is 100% Cabernet Franc aged 12 months in oak. What type of oak is not stated on the label or on the Vineland Estates website and in fact even the varietal is not stated on the label.
Aroma: Fits the Ontario Cabernet Franc profile with gobs of black cherry complimented by some milk chocolate. Secondary notes of raspberry.
Palate: Moderate tannic profile. Acids perfectly restrained. Wobbly and somewhat weak-kneed fruit.
Food Match: Would have suited the beautiful Cornish Hen I had on the Vineland Estates restaurant patio last Saturday but then again it was such a glorious afternoon just about any wine would have been spot on. I did try some of a fellow diner’s fries and was extremely disappointed from my last visit. Now mundane. Once superb.
Personality: I suppose I am neither a positive or negative game changer.
Cellarbility: Drink prior to 2025-year end. Will not improve with age.
RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 84/100.
(Vineland Estates Winery 2021 Game Changer Red, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Vineland Estate Winery, Vineland, Ontario, 750 ml, 12.5%).
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