Two or so hours by car from Toronto and you arrive in Prince Edward County affectionately known as “The County”. Bucolic for the most part with cottages for the rich and famous and a few upscale restaurants to fed them. Summer home for business tycoons, judges and lawyers akin to The Hamptons for Torontonians. As a bonus across the river lies the Trenton military airbase and Canadian Tire as a bulwark against any actual as opposed to economic American invasion.
The County is also home to some of Ontario’s leading wineries such as Lighthall Vineyards from which this Cabernet Franc hails from.
Aroma: Loads and loads of black cherry warmed up by deft utilization of oak making it highly approachable and sip worthy. Some blackberry, cherry cola and milk chocolate. After exposure to air for half an hour just a bit of Brett funk but it adds a nuance as opposed to a distraction.
Palate: Toned down fruit on the palate making it a serious wine with embedded fruit happily ensconced in the wine like a journalist covering the Iraq conflict in an armoured Hummer. Mostly delightful black cherry. Gentle acidity and tannins. Moderately long finish.
Personality: I may be from The County home of many farms but I’m no country bumpkin. I am not a pretty boy actor but have great ability so you might compare me to the late Gene Hackman not a lady’s man but a damn fine actor.
Food Match: In Wellington at The County at Drake Devonshire I’d pair with Charred Octopus, endame hummus, crispy potatoes, zucchini, piquillo peppers and aji verde. This Lighthall wine is not on their Ontario starved wine list but they do list a Lighthall Pinot Noir.
Cellarbility: Drink by 2026-year end.
Price: $34.95 CDN.
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine Rating: 90/100. Michael Godel-Wine Align 89.
(Lighthall 2021 Cabernet Franc, VQA Prince Edward County, Milford, Ontario, 750 mL, 12.5%).
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