Category Archives: Winery Review Series

Upon visits to wineries, I will review their wines that they submit to me as well as the winery.

KACABA ESCARPMENT CABERNET/SYRAH 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Tuesday Aug 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $30.15
Grape: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Syrah, 11% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of red fruit, spice with firm tannin gives this Ontario Cab/Syrah complexity

Positives: This wine features cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, blackberry, black & white pepper, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather, cinnamon with a smoked oak nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with grilled marinated leg of lamb

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: August 13, 2019

KACABA REBECCA ROSÉ 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Friday Jul 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $18.35
Grape: Gamay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 12.3 % Alcohol/Vol.

This is what a rosé should be; refreshing, dry, juicy, flavourful & easy drinking

Positives: Salmon in colour featuring strawberry, raspberry, white cranberry, pink grapefruit & limestone.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with St. Louis style BBQ pork chops.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 4, 2019

KACABA CABERNET/SYRAH 2017 VQA, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

03 Wednesday Jul 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $30.15
Grape: 46% Syrah, 27% Cab Franc, 27% Cab Sauv
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.7 % Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of spice in this baby, which I like

Positives: Wine features red berries, blueberries, cherries, mint, cassis, Star Anise, peppercorn, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves and arugula.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged 13 months in French oak

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with any Italian dish with tomato sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 3, 2019

KACABA OAK AGED CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

29 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $25.35
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 12.6 % Alcohol/Vol.

A well balanced Canadian Chard that is pleasant to drink

Positives: Bright gold in colour, this wine features lemon tarts, peach, nectarines, pineapples, honeydew melon, vanilla, oak spice, dill and ginger.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged 8 months in French wood.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with crab Alfredo.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 29, 2019

13th STREET WINERY SANDSTONE VINEYARD GAMAY NOIR 2016, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

01 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Gamay Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably one of the worldwide best Gamays & the best Canadian Gamay that I ever tasted.

Positives: It starts with a beautiful smoky nose followed on the taste by dark cherry, raspberry, mulberry, Champagne mushrooms, nutmeg and fried bacon.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use balloon style glass and slightly chill it.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Arrosticini.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 30, 2019

FOUNDERS SELECT CABERNET FRANC 2016, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

06 Saturday Apr 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

On the pricier side of Canadian reds, but this Cab won’t disappoint in taste & smoothness

Positives: This wine features blackcurrants, black cherry, raspberry, anise, cassis, cigar box, leather, tarragon and roasted green peppers.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with slow cooked BBQ beef ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 6, 2019

13th STREET WINERY PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive Pinot full of flavour with a touch of spice

Positives: Cherry, raspberry, mulberry, cinnamon, cloves, leather, vanilla and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Slightly chill the wine

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with smoked oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2019

KACABA RESERVE SYRAH 2015, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

09 Saturday Feb 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.6% Alcohol/Vol.

A high end Canadian Syrah featuring a beautiful nose & an amazing great taste

Positives: A full, rich body wine featuring plum, dark cherry, strawberry, blackberry, crack black peppers, white pepper, anise, Allspice, dark chocolate and violets & smoked ambers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with lamb chops with rosemary and garlic.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 9, 2019

13th STREET WINERY MERITAGE 2016, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: 53% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality, complex & expressive Canadian Meritage that’s rare to see considering it’s less than 3 yrs old and under $35

Positives: Full body wine with dry tannin features dark cherry, plum, blackberry, black currants, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather, rosemary, sage, anise, tobacco leaves, arugula, cinnamon and cloves.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with medium rare rib-eye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 18, 2019

KACABA FOUNDERS SELECT CABERNET FRANC 2015, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

What a pleasure, smooth, rich in black fruit & really easy to drink

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium nose. This wine features blueberry, blackcurrants, blackberry, raspberry, dark cherry, white & black peppers, thyme, cinnamon and vanilla. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This Cab Franc is only available to Founder Club members. A reason to join the Club. Very & pleasantly surprised that such a young Cab Franc is so smooth.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Venison Steak with Shallot and Red Wine Sauce.

Tasted: 25 Aug 2017

Top Pick

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+