Peller Estate Cabernet Franc IceWine
Imagine just one grape producing just one drop of sweet, delectable nectar just for you. Now that’s what I call a dedicated grape…. And beware fellow wine-lover this is not a lie – this is exactly how ice-wine is made to entice, seduce and enrapture those fickle taste buds of yours one drop at a time.
Recently I was given the opportunity to sample the Peller Estates Cabernet Franc 2006 Ice-wine. An opportunity any wine aficionado should do at least once, plus I can’t break my philosophy of trying every bottle at least once can I – emphasis on the ‘at least once’ (or twice, or three times or how about just half a dozen to make sure it really is that good).
Ice-wine is made from grapes which have been frozen on the vine and then pressed frozen to expel all the extremely concentrated sugars for the drinker without getting all that excess water. So you can imagine how many grapes vs. how much wine is actually made – NOT A LOT!
I really didn’t know what to expect of the syrupy tawny coloured nectar that radiated out of its slim elegant bottle (unfortunately it’s definitely not cherry red like on their website). The first thought that came to mind was something in-between tawny port with a red berry twist on it from the Cab Franc used. To be honest I really didn’t know what to think so I got stuck right in and here is what I found.
So I did in fact smell and taste the red berries, but not so much fresh ones, more the crasins (cranberry-raisins) type, definitely dried fruits (prunes, cherries) with a touch of rhubarb and citrus (limey more than lemony) in there to give it that acidic kick that any good sweetie needs. It was nice, pleasant, would go well with dessert or a nice cheese platter to end the night.
It was a lovely experience and I must say I was overly taken into the romanticism of the moment by thinking about the glorious Canadian winter with lashings of snow and log cabins.
Approximate retail price: US$82. For more information check out the Peller Estates website.
Image source: Wine Council of Ontario