Cassini Cellars 2018 Godfather Red - 93pts

Cassini Cellars 2018 Godfather Red (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Contact the winery direct here
Cost: $80
Alcohol: 15%
Production: 145 cases
Date Tasted: November 24th, 2021

Tasting Notes: "The Godfather" is Cassini Cellars' uber-refined, Icon-level red showcasing the best the Golden Mile Bench winery has to offer in any given year. For 2018, it takes the form of a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend (67% and 33%, respectively) and presents a pretty, sophisticated expression of the varietals as grown and managed by the winery's winemaking team. Expect a silky-smooth, feminine wine with depth and balance; both on the aromatic nose and the fruit'n'savoury. Ready to go now at (nearly) 4 years of age, or, hold for another 3-5 years. Drink 2022-2027+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2014 The Godfather - 93pts

Cassini Cellars 2014 The Godfather (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Contact the winery direct here
Cost: $80
Alcohol: 15%
Production: 145 cases
Date Tasted: November 24th, 2018

Tasting Notes: "The Godfather" is Cassini Cellars' Icon level wine to rival wines such as Mission Hill's Oculus and LaFrenz Winery's Grand Total, but is it their Flagship wine? In previous vintages, this wine took the form of a Bordeaux/Meritage blend, matching the style of its peers, an assumption that the sum is always greater than the parts. But for the 2014 release, Cassini has chosen to focus on one variety, Cabernet Sauvignon, which just happens to be the grape the Golden Mile Bench winery excels at, year-in, year-out.

With 2% Cabernet Franc blended in to enhance the feminine notes on the nose, the 2014 Godfather is bursting with a complex array of seductive aromatics, sweet, ripe fruit and savoury notes of the sweet, cured meet and steak spice. The palate is intense, yet, gentle with ultra-fine, ripe tannins and a flavour profile layered with dark and blue fruits, exotic spices and dried herbs and fruit, namely, dates, clove and anise.

Ready to go now at 4 years of age, or, hold for another 3-5 years. Drink now-2024.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2010 The Godfather - 90+pts

Cassini Cellars 2010 The Godfather (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Contact the winery direct here
Cost: $55
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 150 cases
Date Tasted: November 30th, 2013

Tasting Notes: The Icon Wine market, generally speaking, represents the very best a winery has to offer by way of fruit and barrel selection and a hefty price tag tends to accompany the finished wine due, in part, to its high expense to produce and to identify its exclusivity. The Godfather marks Cassini Cellars' entry into this price point and performs admirably with an age-worthy, handsomely labelled blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 16% Cabernet France and 15% Syrah delivering a nice combination of New World fruit and Old World charm.

On the nose, intense black cherry, cassis and blackberry fruit aromas are enveloped by toasted French oak, sweet vanilla extract and masculine mineral notes. The mouth watering, (very) dry palate skews Bordeaux with bold, stony tannins framing the dark fruit and savoury flavours where one gets hints of coffee grinds, dark chocolate and, again, French oak. Menthol and a variety of spices linger on the moderate-plus finish.

The Godfather calls for the most manly of dinner companions, a fine cut of barely grilled red meat. Open now with a lengthy decant, though, another year of bottle age is recommended. Drink early-2015-2018+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca