I was taken aback reading the description of Peller Estates Private Reserve 2020 Cabernet Franc in the 5February2025 Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s Vintages catalogue, “For those in the know, Cabernet Franc is one of the hush hush superstars of the Ontario wine scene.” Superstar yes. Hush Hush? Was it ever hush hush? Well debatable but given the veer off from American wine inspired by Trumpgression perhaps if Cabernet Franc is hush hush in Ontario it shall no longer be so.
As far as I am concerned if you can’t do Cabernet Franc right in Ontario time to go home.
Aroma: Intense and seemingly creamy black fruit and with heavy blueberry and black currant accents. Hints of French oak. Not a bad replacement for mass produced Cali Cabernet Sauvignon. Bye Bye California wines. Hello Ontario and British Columbia wines.
Palate: More tannins than expected in an Ontario Cabernet Franc but then again Ontario has been working Cabernet Franc so right for so long different styles do exist. A good solid structure and the fruit kicks in on the back palate just when you thought it had escaped across the river from The-Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club to Fort George in New York State. Short finish with a black currant kick.
Personality: I am not a Niagara Light low cal Cabernet Franc. Think of me as Doug Ford swinging a big verbal stick to tough guy Trump.
Cellarbility: Drinking good up to 2029 but 2026 and 2027 might be the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie for this wine.
Food Match: A Waterfront Burger at the Waterfront Restaurant at The Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club but ask them to chill it just a bit. The last red wine I had at the Waterfront was room temperature on a roasting hot summer day.
Price: $26.55 CDN.
RKS 2025 Canadian Wine Rating: 92/100.
(Peller Estates Private Reserve 2022 Cabernet Franc, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Peller Estates, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, 750 mL, 13.9%).
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