Friday, April 12, 2013

2011 Pelee Island Eco Trail Red (Ontario VQA)

A blend of 33% Baco Noir , 17% Chambourcin, 50% Cabernet Franc (according to the winery's website), this red comes with a natural, high-quality cork closure. It is 13% alc./vol.

Deep, yet clear, dark garnet with a good ruby tint. Some spice enters on the nose and is soon followed by Baco's brackish rootsy aromas, and a bit of cherry in the background. You can pretty much pick up each of the varieties and their contributions to the blend. Tart entry, with rootsy celeriac flavours, wrapped in a touch of oak spice. Brisk tartness, but good balance; a touch of warmth on the mid-palate, with more oak spice (very balanced) and that familiar Chambourcin cherry fruit, all rounding it out. Very invigorating.

A three-way red blend using a vinifera component, together with a hybrid component (or, as in this case, two hybrids), is a good formula. Years ago, Henry of Pelham made a Cabernet-Baco blend that showcased the best of each grape variety, and was a good blend.

This was a very good wine, and the price is right.

(Note: it was decanted for a bit over two hours.)

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