Time to taste: Cabernet franc and sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Manor House, Nederburg, South Africa red, $ 16.95, SAQ # 11676313: For you cabernet sauvignon fans who love ripe wines that show lots of smoke and spice, this is a great deal. Ripe, but not overly so, with rich fruit and fine tannins on the finish. This is a great barbecue meat wine. Residual sugar: 2.5g/ L. Serve at 16C. Drink now. Food pairing idea: Lamb chops, grilled baby back ribs with BBQ sauce. Saumur- Champigny 2013, Château de Villeneuve, France, red, $ 19.65, SAQ # 10918958: 100 per cent cabernet franc, very Bordeaux- esque, with fine tannin, the fruit moving toward black raspberry. So floral and pretty, but there is some real spine here — great acidity, fine tannin. Finessed and juicy all at once. Open it, have a glass, and then recork it and drink it the next day. Residual sugar: 2.1 g/ L. Serve at 16C. Drink now- 2017. Food pairing idea: Pot roast with bay leaf and herbs. Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Gran Reserva, Medalla Real, Maipo, Santa Rita, Chile red, $ 20, SAQ # 217059: It’s 95 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 5 per cent cabernet franc. Great balance between the fruit and the herbal notes, wonderful weave of acid and tannin in the mid- palate, and just a hint of oakdriven spice on the finish. Class and character, and will gain even more with some time in the cellar.
Residual sugar: 2.3 g/ L. Serve at 18C. Drink now- 2020. Food pairing idea: Lamb chops, grilled steak with mustard and tarragon. Saumur- Champigny 2014, Domaine Des Roches Neuves, France red, $ 21.80, SAQ # 10689622: Organic. At first pour, it’s a touch reductive, which adds a smokey note. Carafe this and come back in a few hours and you will see its charm. Delicate tannin, fine acidity, a subtle herbaceous note, but with some delicious fruit. Residual sugar: 1.7 g/ L. Serve at 16C. Drink now- 2018. Food pairing idea: Pork roast with rosemary. Cabernet- Franc / Merlot 2011, Niagara Peninsula, Domaine Queylus, Ontario red, $ 40, SAQ # 12329567: Cool vintage, but that shows how cabernet franc is ideal for Ontario. Cherry and other red berries, a suave mid- palate with some fine, and very elegant tannins. Very pretty and with decent power. Residual sugar: 1.9 g/ L. Serve at 18C. Drink now- 2018. Food pairing idea: Pork roast with fruit compote.