13.5% alc. Clear scarlet-ruby core; youthful pink at the meniscus. Spot-on Bordeaux-varietal nose with a pleasant, well-attuned overlay of high-quality oak. Very pure ruby-scarlet hue; lacking in the usual garnet tone that characterizes most Bordeaux knockoffs. Impeccably balanced on the entry with tart acidity, light/medium body and nice grip on the mid-palate. Very well balanced overall. The cherry/oak interplay that is so common in oaked Ontario reds, be they vinifera or hybrid, is present here as well. Properly dry on the finish with consistent flavours and enjoyable astringency.
The label indicates 13.5% alcohol by volume, but the wine feels lighter on the palate. I was expecting 2005 reds to be rather inky monster wines, but so far they have proven to be middle-of-the-road in terms of colour, acidity and body.