RKS  2025 CANADIAN Wine: The Two Evil Sins of this Canadian Wine!

Posted byRobert K Stephen (CSW)Posted inWineTags:, , ,

We try a Smoke & Gamble Cabernet. What sin is left? Fornication?

It is a non vintage wine yet another possible sin but if you are engrossed in smoking and gambling the devil may care although penance may be possible considering it is a VQA Ontario wine. The label praises oak barrel ageing openly, unabashedly and without remorse! Is there hope for such a sinner?

A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and less than 15% of Merlot.

The majority of the grapes were sourced from Beamsville in the Niagara region of Ontario with a portion of the Cabernet Franc from the South Coast’s Norfolk County.

Fermented in stainless steel then moved to a combination of French and American oak barrels for 21 months.

Aroma: Black cherry predominates. Cherry cola and of course smoky oak.

Palate: Red currant, lingonberry jam and cactus pear. A certain juiciness with a long Slovenian cherry nectar-tinged finish.

Personality: Admit it for a non-vintage wine with grapes from here and there and seemingly without “pedigree” I think I am decent.

Food Match: Sauteed pork medallions with this sinful wine and homemade raspberry jam in a reduction sauce.

Cellarbility: Drink in 2025.

Food Match: Roast Easter Ham with red pepper jelly.

Price: $20 CDN.

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine Rating:  86/100.

(Smoke & Gamble Cabernet, VQA Ontario, Smoke & Gamble, Norfolk, Ontario, 750 mL, 13%).

Published by Robert K Stephen (CSW)

Robert K Stephen writes about food ,drink, travel, film, and lifestyle issues. He also has published serialized novels "Life at Megacorp", "Virus # 26, "Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog" and "The Penniless Pensioner" Robert was the first associate member of the Wine Writers’ Circle of Canada. He also holds a Mindfulness Certification from the University of Leiden and the University of Toronto. Be it Spanish cured meat, dried fruit, BBQ, or recycled bamboo place mats, Robert endeavours to escape the mundane, which is why he has established this publication. His motto is, "Have Story, Will Write."

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