WTN: Vineland Cabernet Franc 2008

Niagara Peninsula

Light red in the glass.

A warming nose, herbal, leafy, spicy, cherry fruit.

Light bodied, very tangy, lightly prickly on the tongue, dried fruit, cherry, cranberry, spicy, red licorice, floral.

Drying, tangy and mouthwatering on the finish.

A barely acceptable wine. I was put off by the very light body, the high degree of acidity and the prickly-bubbly sensation on the tongue.

Purchased at $12.95 (Canadian).

To be expected from 2008. I'd seek out the 2007 or 2005 Cab Francs from the Niagara Peninsula.

The 2008 vintage in the area was difficult for late season ripening grapes, especially reds like Cab Franc, Cab Sauv and Merlot. Earlier reds, such as Gamay and Pinot Noir should be decent. Whites are more forgiving, or should I say respond better to adjustments in the winery. I think 2009 will be similar to the 2008.

[James Roscoe]

If Vineland couldn't produce a decent red in 2008, I shudder to think what lesser wineries will produce. I wonder that they didn't give it more oak treatment? Could that have helped?

If Vineland couldn't produce a decent red in 2008, I shudder to think what lesser wineries will produce. I wonder that they didn't give it more oak treatment? Could that have helped?

Yeah, that is scary. I recalled that 2008 wasn't a great summer but thought, based on the good reputation of the winery, that I would take a chance. It wasn't a terrible wine, just not very good. I also purchased the Vineland 2008 Chardonnay, but haven't tried it yet.

Not surprising notes. The summer of 2008 saw several huge rainfalls, I've never seen so many downpours in one summer in all my life. I am avoiding the '08 reds, though I will have a try of the '08 Le Clos Jordanne pinots next year.

I've never thought much of Vineland's reds myself, at least in the affordable category. I have had their Cab Franc in several vintages, and only the '02 impressed me. Most years, it is lean and green, even in '05, a very hot year. On the other hand, they have much better success with their Rieslings.

It still amazes me that Niagara growers and wineries are still trying to grow the later-ripening reds. When I think back over the last 15 vintages or so, I think only about 8 were really suitable for these varieties. Our growing season is just too short in about half of vintages. This year, their were many red grapes still hanging on the vines in Novermber, after the first frost. We should still to whites and lighter reds (pinot, gamay), these we can do well far more regularly, IMO.

Norm

Not surprising notes. The summer of 2008 saw several huge rainfalls, I've never seen so many downpours in one summer in all my life. I am avoiding the '08 reds, though I will have a try of the '08 Le Clos Jordanne pinots next year.

I've never thought much of Vineland's reds myself, at least in the affordable category. I have had their Cab Franc in several vintages, and only the '02 impressed me. Most years, it is lean and green, even in '05, a very hot year. On the other hand, they have much better success with their Rieslings.

It still amazes me that Niagara growers and wineries are still trying to grow the later-ripening reds. When I think back over the last 15 vintages or so, I think only about 8 were really suitable for these varieties. Our growing season is just too short in about half of vintages. This year, their were many red grapes still hanging on the vines in Novermber, after the first frost. We should still to whites and lighter reds (pinot, gamay), these we can do well far more regularly, IMO.

Norm

I agree Norm. I have always thought that Ontario wineries, as a general rule of thumb, do much better with whites than reds. Having said that, I also realize there are always exceptions to the rule, which is why I keep trying different things.

Last year our NiagaraCOOL tour was the Niagara Peninsula. Tom (?) from Cave Spring said during a vineyard tour something like "80% of what we grow and make is white. We grow reds to round out the portfolio. Face it, this is white wine country. It's what we can do best."

Its funny how everybody's tastes are different. The 2008 Cabernet Franc from Vineland Estates just won a silver medal at the American Wine Society commercial competition in Destin Florida. The LCBO here in Ontario has it on feature for VQA wine of the month.

Maybe that just goes to show how questionable medals are? I know 2008 was difficult for reds in the Finger Lakes and I'm assuming it will be similar for Niagara. Sure there might be a gem here or there, but the odds are against it. There are some very lame wineries with tasting rooms full of medals...