Thirty Bench Small Lot Cabernet Franc 2015

Bright beautiful violet purple with illuminating rim dawning from far into the horizon. Never noticed  rim on wines this much before.  Waves of buttery blueberry strawberry jam hit my senses from the glass about a feet away.  My mouth’s already watering, cant wait to go right in.   What hits the face is this elegantly placed green grassy note weaving the blueberry and strawberry notes with buttery, brioche undertone sitting on this chalky, earthy minerality and just a touch of savoury truffle and sage.  With this kind of concentration just on the nose, it could actually be mistaken with its more famous offspring - Cabernet Sauvignon. Gave itself away on the palate, however. Big fruity, juicy, and concentrated notes but beautifully balanced with its vibrant acidity and lighter tannins - medium at best.  Seems to me that it is making a big statement though with its fruitiness and warmth.  Like having a mixed berry pie that’s fresh off the oven - sweet, savoury, delious, and satisfying.

Found this little jewel on the way back from Niagara Falls - it was meant to be a family trip with the in-laws so I was not expecting to be able to hit any winery.  Daughters had been sleeping in the car for a while so they could wake up any moment.  Decided to squeeze a visit Thirty Bench Wine Makers in Beamsville Bench VQA - it was this historical little farm house with very well kept interior.  The vines outside situated on this very gentle rolling plain following every contour and concave of the land.

Their Riesling are cane-pruned, 34-years-old matured, and short but majestically wrinkled vines, which takes up most of Thirty Bench’s land. (I will review their Riesling at a later date).  Never thought much of Ontario wines before due to some of the wines poured for me by this Chinese market focused exporter.  Now my mind’s totally changed - should have been more open minded in the first place.  Glad to be proven wrong!