Tasting Note – This is a delicious, juicy, tender and high-toned cabernet franc, with classic raspberry/currant fruit, pretty rose florals, subtle green tobacco and fresh herbs (bay leaf?) – all set within fine and subtle oak frame. It is really elegant and juicy at the same time. Scores very well on balance with warming 13.7% alcohol, slightly green and bitter tannin. The length is excellent. I would age it another year or three, but will last into the mid-2030s. Last tasted September 2026

Backgrounder – Peller Estates is not usually in the conversation among Canada’s best wineries. But in 2014 it was named Winery of the Year at the National Wine Awards.  For two reasons. One was the work of winemaker Katie Dickieson who still presides. The other was the strong showing of their ‘Bordeaux’ reds and whites – specifically cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc. With their focus on Niagara-on-the-Lake vineyards and their extended fall ripening near Lake Ontario, this should come as no surprise. The grapes were hand-harvested October 30 from the estate-owned Carlton Farm Vineyard. It benefitted from extended skin contact and malolactic fermentation in barrel. It was aged for 18 months in 66% French oak and 34% American oak, then the top three barrels were selected for this bottling. There was minimal filtration before bottling. 

Accolades: Gold Medal National Wine Awards of Canada