IconScores.ca: Cabernet Franc

Showing posts with label Cabernet Franc. Show all posts

River Stone Estate Winery 2021 Cabernet Franc - 90-91pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2021 Cabernet Franc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $38.90

Alcohol: 13.7%

Date Tasted: June 3rd, 2023

Tasting Notes: An earthy and brambly Cabernet Franc with wild berry, wild sage and aromatic, sweet cedar notes. Long, complex and layered with lots to explore as it evolves in your glass and in your cellar over the next few years. Drink 2023-2027.

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Cabernet Franc - 89pts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Cabernet Franc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: October 3rd, 2022

Tasting Notes: An aromatic, food-friendly Cabernet Franc whose grapes were sourced from two distinctly different vineyards outside Oliver; the elevated Quails' Wayside vineyard West of the city and the winery's own Deadman Lake vineyard towards Osoyoos Lake in the South. Lots to like here as a pleasant, feminine nose of violet, blossom and ripe, wild berry aromas is followed by a vibrant palate where the wild berry theme continues in the form of lively acidity and flavours of herb-infused fruit. Oak treatment seems spot-on for the medium-bodied weight, light tannins and the lip-smacking finish. Drink 2022-2024.

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Cabernet Franc Rosé - 88pts

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Cabernet Franc Rosé (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: August 16th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A big, high-glycerol blush with a touch of pruny notes on the notes. Not the typical opening line of a review for a successful rosé, yet, that's exactly what this Cabernet Franc based wine is. The balance skews towards refreshing with a nice amount of fresh, cranberry acidity keeping the residual sugar and alcohol in check. There's also a touch of spice and tannin on the finish which should help this wine pair with BBQ meats and side dishes. Drink now-2024.

Gold Hill Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc - 90pts

Gold Hill Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from winery here
Cost: $42.99
Alcohol: 14.1%
Date Tasted: August 12th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Already peaking at 5 years of age, this is a refined, yet, intense Cabernet Franc with an expressive nose of crushed blossoms, violets, vanilla and lots of brambly fruit. Smooth on the palate, this medium-tannin wine from the newly designated Golden Mile Slope region of the Southern Okanagan offers layers of ripe, verging-on-pruny fruit and elegant, savoury flavours without ever feeling heavy or over extracted. Ready to go now as the aging has been done for you by the winery. Drink 2022-2025.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2021 Rosé - 92pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2021 Rosé (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 26th, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: A sublime, deceptively simple blush carefully constructed by a combination of fruit sourced from multiple Southern Okanagan sites and with the use of multiple rosé techniques. A blend of 93% Cabernet France and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, the majority of the Franc is purpose picked for this wine and spends 6 hours on the skins before pressing leaving a delicate, gentle pink hue and a romantic, aromatic nose.

The palate offers everything you would hope to get out of a blush wine with excellent balance of delicious red fruit, vibrant citrus rind, light tannin and effortless acidity. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2023.

Rust Wine Co. 2019 Cabernet Franc - 89pts

Rust Wine Co. 2019 Cabernet Franc (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $28 including taxes
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: April 26th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Rust Wine Co. does an amazing job at offering a few single-vineyard releases at reasonable prices. This Okanagan Falls grown Cabernet Franc is a great example. Sourced from the Lost Horn Vineyard, this wine showcases its intriguing qualities within the Bordeaux family with a unique combination of blackened berry fruit, refined spices and feminine floral notes. Add-in the flavours of the local terroir, smoky sagebrush, mint and sweet, cured meats and you have a real winner. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2025.

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2019 Cabernet Franc - 90+pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2019 Cabernet Franc (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $26.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: April 23rd, 2022

Tasting Notes: Bored with one-note, berry-rich Merlot? Tired of the predictability of heavy-tannin Cabernet Sauvignon? Unsure of the peppery-power of Syrah? Then reach for this Tinhorn Creek label the wine that helped put BC Cabernet Franc on the map.

A blissful nose of both sensual and pungent aromas of broody berries, plums, wild sage, cheese rind, Christmas cake, earthy herbs and meaty spices. Rich and satisfying on the smoky-fruit laden palate which lingers with spices and oak treatment flavours delightfully. Enjoy now or over the next 3-4 years with some further development possible. Drink now-2026.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Cabernet Franc - 91pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Cabernet Franc (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $36
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: March 8th, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: The unsung hero of the current Burrowing Owl portfolio. The 2019 Cabernet Franc is a beautiful, feminine wine with a lovely expression of fragrant, floral aromas and ripe, red fruit notes. The balance between pretty and elegant elements on the palate is spot on with excellent structure coming from refined tannins, playful, wild berry acidity and supporting, savoury flavours. Ready to go now, on its own or as a sophisticated companion to a simple meal like pizza or spaghetti. Drink 2022-2026.

Cassini Cellars 2018 Cabernet Franc - 91pts

Cassini Cellars 2018 Cabernet Franc (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Sold out at the winery. Winery site here
Cost: $40 + taxes
Alcohol: 15.3%

Production: 275 cases
Date Tasted: November 12th, 2021

Tasting Notes: Cabernet Franc is always a stand-out variety in Cassini's portfolio of 'big reds'. This single-vineyard release shows off the winery's touch with the Bordeaux grape allowing its innate funkiness and seductive aromatics to shine. Look for trademark menthol and eucalyptus aromas and flavours to be supported by a plethora of blue fruit, tobacco, toasted oak, spices and savoury characters on the generous, expressive nose and the well-balanced, pleasantly textured palate. Ready to go now, with decanting. Drink 2022-2027.

Gold Hill Winery 2016 Cabernet Franc - 88pts

Gold Hill Winery 2016 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from winery here
Cost: $TBD
Alcohol: 14.9%
Date Tasted: June 21st, 2021

Tasting Notes: At five years of age, this dense, aromatic Cabernet Franc is showing signs of peaking. The developed bouquet is offers prominent brandy aromas which envelope the more delicate floral and spice notes. Less robust on the berry'n'spice flavoured palate than the hedonistic 2015 vintage with more viscosity and a shorter finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2021-2022.

Gold Hill Winery 2020 Cabernet Franc Rosé - 87pts

Gold Hill Winery 2020 Cabernet Franc Rosé (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: June 11th, 2021

Tasting Notes: An intriguing, off-dry, medium-copper hued rosé, made from Cabernet Franc grapes sourced from multiple sites in the Okanagan Valley. Offers a delicate nose of peach skin, orange blossom and nectarine aromas, followed by a plump palate of orchard fruit flavours and enough tannin and citrus acidity to finish balanced where a touch of spice lingers. Ready to go now as most blush wines are. Drink 2021-2022.

Cassini Cellars 2016 Collector's Series Cabernet Franc - 93pts

Cassini Cellars 2016 Collector's Series Cabernet Franc (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Sold out at the winery. Winery site here
Cost: $40 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.7%
Date Tasted: November 9th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Cassini Cellars makes a number of wonderful, 'big, full-bodied reds from memorable Merlots to award-winning blends. Yet, the true star of the portfolio is this consistently exquisite, single-vineyard Cabernet Franc. The depth of flavour and refinement speaks to the vineyard practices and the spare-no-expense barrel program Cassini employs to near-perfection.

Its trademark menthol and eucalyptus aromas and flavours are on show, in spades, supported by a plethora of blue fruit, toasted oak, spices and savoury notes on the generous, seductive nose and the well-balanced, elegant palate. Ready to go now, with some decanting. Drink 2021-2026.

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Cabernet Franc - 88-89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Cabernet Franc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $31.90

Alcohol: 13.1%

Date Tasted: September 19th, 2020

@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: The 2018 vintage of River Stone's Cabernet Franc has vegetal notes intertwined with lovely, floral and red currant aromas on its nose and its spice and wild berry textured palate. A touch of iodine and toasted oak lingers on the longe finish. Pair with a juicy, rare tenderloin and look for further integration down the road. Drink 2022-2025.

Gold Hill Winery 2015 Cabernet Franc - 91pts

Gold Hill Winery 2015 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $34.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 15.9%
Date Tasted: September 14th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A supremely intense, hedonistic Cabernet Franc with loads of floral, spice and sweet earth notes on the nose and densely layered, concentrated red and blue fruit on the tobacco-flavoured, full-bodied palate. Slight, California Primitivo vibe without all the sweetness; just the right amount of extreme extraction to off-set the whopping, 15.9% alcohol. Smoky, cigar box and toasted spice notes linger on the long finish.

Unlike any other BC Cabernet Franc you're likely to find. Despite the bottle shot attached, the wine is sealed with a Stelvin cap enclosure. Ready to go now, but should hold for a few more years. Drink 2020-2023.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc - 90pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $35 (taxes included)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 29th, 2020
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: A beautiful and complex Cabernet Franc sourced from the estate vineyard along the Black Sage Bench, offering classic notes of wild berries, dried herbs, licorice, vanilla-spice, toasted oak, pipe tobacco and menthol on both the floral-accented nose and the dusty, lightly tannic palate. Finishes long and with good balance between its fruit and savoury characters. Ready to go now and makes a sophisticated companion to pizza or spaghetti nights. Drink 2020-2024.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Cabernet Franc - 89+pts

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Cabernet Franc (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.3%
Date Tasted: August 3rd, 2019

Tasting Notes: Packs quite a punch for a medium-bodied wine with good intensity and a layered profile of concentrated, fresh mixed berries and dried fruit'n'herbs, a touch of vanilla-kissed oak and some dusty tannins. Sealed with a Stelvin cap to lock in the freshness, but I would love to see how this wine ages as there's potential for more development. Drink now-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc - 89-90pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $31.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.7%
Production: 143 cases
Date Tasted: August 3rd, 2019
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: Just released and approachable in its youth, this Cabernet Franc opens with a gorgeous nose of pretty aromatics and savoury herbs, brambly berries and just a hint of evergreen needles. The palate is fresh and crisp with focused, wild berry fruit flavours and acidity, a touch of oak and layers of support, savoury notes; herbs'n'spice, vanilla and chalky earthiness. Ready to go now or hold for another 2-3 years for further development. Drink 2019-2025.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Winemaker's Cut 2018 Rosé - 88pts

Winemaker's Cut 2018 Rosé (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Look for release details here
Cost: $22 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 11.5%
Production: 220 cases
Date Tasted: July 6th, 2019

Tasting Notes: An elegant rosé, in every way; colour (pale watermelon), bouquet (subtle strawberry shortcake) and mouthfeel (layers of strawberry and fresh peach acidity). Finish is balanced, though, a tad short with just a flash of citrus peel and spice lingering. As with all good rosé, you can pair this with just about anything. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 St. David's Bench Vineyard Cabernet Franc - 88pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 St. David's Bench Vineyard Cabernet Franc (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34.95
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 486 cases
Date Tasted: June 25th, 2019

Tasting Notes: An old school, old world Cabernet Franc, somewhat austere, though not void of fruit on its potpourri and oak-scented nose and its dry, dusty tannin and iodine-kissed palate. Pair with a lean'n'mean, rare tenderloin steak to match the wine's minerality and showcase the charred, dark berry notes. Ready to go now or hold for 2-3 more years. Drink 2019-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2016 Innovation Series Whole Cluster Cabernet Franc - 90pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2016 Innovation Series Whole Cluster Cabernet Franc (Anarchist Mountain) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $45 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 250 cases
Date Tasted: February 13th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Tinhorn knows Cabernet Franc. They have been instrumental in popularizing the Bordeaux grape in BC as a single varietal wine. They have three Cab Franc based wines, including their excellent Rosé, why not a 4th? This one is sourced from a single vineyard on Anarchist Mountain (above the East bench of Osoyoos) and as the name suggests, the winery employed a whole cluster, natural fermentation which promoted an intense, rustic charm on the earthy, brambly-fruit driven nose and on the spicy, toasted herbs and, again, brambly fruit palate.

Ready to go now or hold for another 2-3 years. Drink now-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Pages

Search For A Wine