✔️ 2018 Bo-Teek Cabernet Franc | $35.00

✔️ 2020 Bo-Teek Pinot Meunier | $35.00

✔️ 1.5L Magnum | Infinity Vintage | Legacy Cabernet Franc | $300

Ontario, VQA Niagara Peninsula

95% Cab Franc, 2% Pinot Meunier, 2% Cab Sauv, 1% Merlot | Dry (RS 10.6 g/L) 12.5% ABV

91+pts Carl’s Wine Club | 92pts Rick VanSickle

In my mind, Cab Franc rhymes with Brian Schmidt, the vigneron at Vineland Estates. His passion for the varietal has transcended our frontier. This is another incredible value wine, perfectly showcasing the quality and the power of the 2020 ‘vintage of the century’ in Niagara. The nose explodes with aromas of dark berries, dark cocoa, vanilla, licorice and cigar box while the palate reflects your first sensory perceptions. In addition, the texture is rich and creamy, the tannins are present but not offensive, the length is very impressive while the finish evolves from dark fruits to coffee, all the way to a loaded spice box. I still can’t believe they are charging less than $16 (including tax) for this wine. WOW! (CWC, 17/10/22).

 Pairing: Cheeseburger, lamb gyros

Drink now until 2028

VQA Ontario

100% Chardonnay | Dry wine | 12.5% ABV

91pts Carl’s Wine Club | 91pts Rick Vansickle

A nice sparkler with tenacious bubbles, lots of texture and defined flavours. The nose is gorgeous with notes of pineapple, pear and citrus while the palate is similar with a linear frame of acidity. In addition, the mid palate is loaded with flavours of red apple, zesty kafir lime, blood orange and crunchy ginger. The finish, lifted by a bright acidity lasts for an impressive amount of time and leaves behind a nice tang effect in your mouth. The ripe pineapple mixed with the bright citrusy approach and the richness of the 2020 vintage delivers one of the best Charmat method out there. The richness of the 2020 vintage brings the perfect weight too! I’m a big fan… (CWC, 12/11/22).

Pairing: Smoked salmon, roasted chicken

Drink now until 2028

Ontario, VQA Niagara Escarpment

100% Chardonnay Musqué | Dry (RS 9.4g/L) 12% ABV

90pts Carl’s Wine Club...

There are about 40 different clones of Chardonnay and Musqué refers to the “Muscat like” aromatics offered by this very versatile and appealing clone of Chardonnay. This un-oaked version greets you with fresh aromas of yellow apples, orchard fruits, white flowers and honey suckle. The palate is pure, bright, clean, round and mouth watering while the aromas of peach, fresh apple, tangerine, grassiness and chamomile surf over a wave of fresh flowers. (CWC, 21/10/22).

Pairing: Crab cake, pan fried pickerel

Drink now until 2025

Ontario, VQA Niagara Peninsula 

50% Merlot, 26% Cab Sauv,24% Cab Franc | 

Dry (RS 6.5g/L) 12.5% ABV

90pts Carl’s Wine Club

Great easy drinking, approachable red designed to be consumed now. Nose of roasted red pepper, cherry, and floral notes like light violet. A nicely balanced palate with dominant flavours of bright and juicy raspberry, red pepper jelly, red cherry, red current, milk chocolate and very bright mouth-watering acidity on the back palate. The soft texture is soft, the tannins are well integrated and the finish is medium spicy, dominated by black cracked pepper. A satisfying length for a $15 (including tax) wine and perfect for your next wing night or pizza night. The price point versus value is spectacular. (CWC, 17/10/22).

Pairing: BBQ wings, all dressed pizza

Drink now until 2025

Ontario, Niagara

87% Cab Franc, 13% Cab Sauv | Dry (RS 3.0 g/L) 13% ABV

92pts Carl’s Wine Club

With powerful and defined flavours, this wine is concentrated and shows great precision. Built from a single clone Cabernet Franc from the fantastic Boteek vineyard, the addition of a generous 13% of Cab Sauv brings depth and complexity. The aromas offer raspberry, blueberry, black currant, red pepper and cedar while the plate displays loads of dark cherry, roasted pepper jelly and milk chocolate at first. The mid palate displays some graphite and stony minerality while also offering a hint of dried herbs. The finish is smooth with soft tannins which marry well with the mouth-watering acidity and the Christmas spice on the finish. A lovely wine that is now entering its prime window of drinkability. (CWC, 01/11/22). 275 cases made.

Pairing: Grilled flank steak, wild rice and parmesan stuffed red pepper

Drink now until 2028

NV Vineland “Legacy” Cabernet Franc 

1.5L Magnum

One of the most unique projects in Canada’s wine history is the Infinity Vintage “Legacy” by Brian Schmidt at Vineland Estates. Brian often got asked this question and set out to answer it with this wine: how do you describe a very specific parcel of land without talking about the vintage variation? 

The Legacy Cabernet Franc 1.0 bottling is a blend of 10 consecutive years (from 2010 to 2020) telling the story of the Bo-teek vineyard, the story of its growth, the story and the purity of this very unique Cabernet Franc clone 214. On the nose, this wine displays some very classic Cab Franc aromas like violet, licorice, raspberry jam, roasted red pepper and clove. On the palate, this is an absolute Niagara Masterpiece: creamy, velvety, rich, dense, pure, suave and concentrated with multiple layers of flavours. To start, the front palate offers red and blue fruits like ripe raspberry, strawberry, blueberry and plum, while the mid palate is packed with licorice, cappuccino, roasted pepper jelly, mint, dark chocolate and chewy tobacco leaves. The finish is as impressive and complex as the rest of the wine with white pepper, chilli pepper, Christmas spice and long and tenacious but soft tannins. 

Tasting this wine feels like being part of a special piece of history which will fill your senses with emotion.

(CWC, 16/11/22).

Food pairing: beef stew, grilled lamb

Drink now until 2032

Winery price: $300 including tax/dep

From the winery:

This complex, soulful and perpetual wine was initiated ten years ago to celebrate our historical passion for Cabernet Franc and its exquisite taste of place at Vineland Estates Winery. As with all great pursuits, original ideas grow, adapt and evolve with time. Our choice to continually and fractionally blend all vintages for the yearly, portioned bottlings is an expression of that meaningful evolution, anthology and our belief in the future. 

Vineland Estates Winery is located on the slope of the Niagara Escarpment in Niagara, Ontario.

I had heard of Vineland but it wasn't until members insisted I have to meet the 'King of Cabernet' that I actually tasted the wines. And wow! Not only was I blown away by the quality, but also by the value.

I always take pricing into account when rating wines. It is much easier to make a great wine when you're charging more for a bottle, but a great wine at a price point under $25 is a true gem.

The winery itself is a memorable stop in the Niagara wine route, from their tasting bar inside a 1877 'wooden cathedral' log barn to their acclaimed winery restaurant.