Producing single varietal Cabernet Sauvignon in Ontario is a risky business as far as I can see. Most often it is a bland experience but jazzed up with generous oak it just may surprise you.
Shale Ridge is located in Thedford, Ontario proximate to the shores of Lake Huron in Southwest Ontario. Their 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon is unoaked and there is no indication on its label where the grapes used were sourced from but the wine is VQA. This is an unoaked Cabernet Sauvignon. The risk meter is running hot.
Aroma: There is a truckload of lean raspberry and blueberry with secondary blackberry burbling about.
Palate: Tannic. And the lean aromatics become mean on the palate meaning they are lost in space….dissipated. Tartish cranberry intermingled with prevalent chalkiness.
Personality: Which adjective(s) in the review’s title would you choose.
Food Match: Meat lover’s pizza from Poppa John’s Pizza and Diner in Thedford.
Cellarbility: Drink now.
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine Rating: 79/100.
(SR Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, VQA Ontario, Shale Ridge Estate Winery, Thedford, Ontario, 750 mL, 12.5%).
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