2017 Cabernet Franc Estate

VQA Beamsville Bench

About This Wine:

This wine originates from our Cave Spring Vineyard, located on a hillside of the Niagara Escarpment overlooking Lake Ontario known as the Beamsville Bench. Optimal conditions for extended ripening at our estate have delivered a Cabernet Franc with the structure, body and depth of flavour to reward several years of cellaring.

Origin:

100% Cave Spring Vineyard

Soil:

Stony clay till composed primarily of limestone and dolostone mixed with sandstone, shale and traces of granite and gneiss; soils overlie moraine and sandstone/shale bedrock, and range from 4 to 8 m in depth.

Composition:

100% Cabernet Franc

Harvest Data:

Harvest Date- Oct. 23 - 25
Sugar- 24º Brix
Titratable Acitity- 7 g/L
pH- 3.27
Yield- 3.5 tonnes/acre

Vinification:

A 14-day maceration and fermentation using indiginous yeasts; ageing for 14 months in French oak barriques, 20% new and 80% 2nd-6th fill

Bottling Data:

Bottling Date- March 2019
Alc./Vol. 14.5%
Residual Sugar- 3 g/L
Titratable Acidity- 6.7 g/L
pH- 3.48
Production- 270 cs. (9L)

Tasting Notes:

Brooding aromas of cassis, black raspberry and black currant lead the way, set against notes of cedar, tar and minerals. The palate is full in body and very structured, with firm yet supple tannins throughout. Deeply saturated blackberry and black licorice flavours predominate, with nuances of sandalwood, black olive and tea, all driving with vigour and intensity into a refined, velvety finish.

Taste Profile:

Dry (D)

Serving Suggestions:

Roasted capon or Guinea hen, turkey with cranberry, mild sausages, pan-seared duck, grilled steak, roasted vegetable tartine or lasagne

Ageability:

Best consumed 2021 through 2025; should continue to develop until at least 2028

Ontario Retail Price:

$34.95

Availability:

Winery Only

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