Tasting Note This rich, ample “Bordeaux” blend from the superb 2020 Niagara vintage was set on the tables for the final Canadian Culinary Championship Celebration, and it was a hit. I spent time with it earlier during the Best of Show judging and ranked it third. I loved the complex and generous aromatics that exude botanicals like evergreen/juniper with very ripe raspberry/blackberry fruit, which are uncommon in Niagara Bordeaux blends. Then in comes the layered, balanced oak spice and vanilla/chocolate notes. A touch of meatiness too. Not everyone will adore the flavours. They are, however, very Niagara and hearken to Bordeaux, with which I am totally comfortable. Then on the palate there is a sense of volume and richness that took me to California. It is full bodied, fairly dense with still firm but balanced tannin. The length is excellent. This will age another 10 years or more, but it is balanced well enough to drink anytime, with aeration. It was released at LCBO VINTAGES stores in Ontario February 21 2026. Tasted January 2026.

Backgrounder Two Sister’s Winery was established (first planted) in 2007 by sisters Angela Marotta and Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli, with the grand winery and Italian-themed Kitchen76 restaurant opening in 2014. The 130-acre vineyard sits at the edge of the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake within the Niagara River sub-appellation. This is of strategic importance because this zone near the confluence of the river and the summer-warmed waters of Lake Ontario is one of the “latest picked” in Niagara, accommodating the later-ripening Bordeaux red varieties, which are a specialty of the house. The range even includes very late-picked cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Eleventh Post is the signature Bordeaux merlot-led blend by veteran winemaker Adam Pearce, who has guided Two Sisters from the beginning. See also Stone Eagle.