SAVE THE TAX $11.50  (December 14, 2024 - February 15, 2025)

2012 was one of the most ideal vintages in Niagara’s growing history to craft full bodied and fruity red wines. The spring of 2012 was very early, with the summer warming up fast and persisting well into the fall with drought like conditions throughout. A challenging vintage for certain grape varieties such as Reisling or Pinot Gris, but ideal for many red varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the prime example of a red varietal that needs heat to thrive. For most vintages in Niagara picking before early November is unlikely, let alone before Halloween. With ripeness abounding and a perfect balance of sugars, tannins and acidity, the 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine worthy of aging.

WINEMAKER NOTES:  To craft the best Cabernet Sauvignon in Niagara we carefully select when to pick, monitoring for when grapes have the best balance of sugar, acid and tannin. in 2012 the Cabernet Sauvignon harvest landed mid-October, roughly three weeks earlier than usual. the ripe and pristine fruit cane into the winery where it was crushed, destemmed and transferred to open top tanks for fermentation. After a moth of maceration on skins with punch downs 2-3 times daily the wine was pressed and racked into barrels. After 13 months in barrel the wine was racked and assembled before filtering and bottling in March 2014.

TASTING NOTES: Rich aromas of cranberry, raspberry and ripe blackberry are accented by roasted chestnut and cinnamon on the palate. Dark fruit flavours and hints of eucalyptus are balanced on the palate by rich tannins and great mouth feel. Savour this wine on its own or match it with hearty pasta dishes, T-bone steaks, beef stroganoff, lamb stew or grilled eggplant pizza. Drink now or cellar up to 2030.

*BRONZE - ALL CANADIAN WINE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2016