Do you enjoy Cabernets? Do you prefer Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon? I tried both today from Seaside Pearl Farmgate Winery. Their Cabernet Franc grapes come from the Similkameen Valley while the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes come from the Okanagan Valley.
You may notice that both labels mention “Lover’s Lane”. What does that have to do with BC or the Fraser Valley? According to the winery, “The Old Yale Road is a historic early wagon road that serviced the Fraser Valley. Today, Yale Road running east is a heritage site called the “Old Yale Wagon Road.” Known fondly by locals as “Lovers Lane,” lovers of all ages meet and take romantic walks along Old Yale Wagon Road.” The labels show a pair of lovers in a carriage but in the Cab Franc label the trees’ leaves are green, while in the Cab Sauv, the leaves are red. I am not sure why, other than to designate a different season. Maybe the winery is offering us a suggestion as to which time of the year to enjoy these wines? I think both wines would be excellent to enjoy any time of the year. But now, let me tell you about these wines.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Seaside Pearl Farmgate Winery Cabernet Franc 2020 (BC $31)
Appearance: Deep, translucent to the core garnet colour. About 80% opaque.
Nose: Medium-minus enticing aromas of candied cherries, raspberries, plums and touches of smoked bacon, cedar and sweet spices. Just a little lighter smoked bacon aroma after decanting.
Palate: Dry, medium body but medium-plus flavour intensity. A lighter lean mouthfeel, but with swirling the wine gets rounder and smoother on the palate. Medium acidity and tannins. Red cherries, raspberries, blackberries and plums, plus candied cherries with air. This wine has a tart edge to it. With decanting, you can add some milk chocolate and a touch of sweet spice to the palate.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with firmer tannins and a light mouthfeel. Red and candied red cherries, sweet spices, plus touches of oak and vanilla. The wine feels round on the finish with decanting and you get some tart red cherry flavours.
This wine does not change very much with decanting, so you can open and enjoy it. This wine paired nicely with herbed pate and smoked gouda cheese.
Rating: 
– 
A wine with enticing aromas of cherries, plums, sweet spices and smoked bacon. It has a lighter mouthfeel that starts off lean but gets rounder and smoother with swirling. Red fruit flavours primarily. A medium-plus length.
Seaside Pearl Farmgate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (BC $40)
Appearance: A deep, dull mix of garnet and ruby colours. About 95% opaque.
Nose: Lighter aromas of red fruit, red berries, candied cherries, and a touch of sweet spices. Cedar with air. Darker fruit aromas with decanting; less red fruit, berries, and cedar.
Palate: Dry, medium-plus body and flavour intensity. Mouthfilling, round and silky. Quite floral, violets and raspberry blossoms, along with raspberries, cherries and candied cherries, and a touch of oak and sweet spices flavours. Intense flavours. Some chocolate and cedar with air. Toned down violet and raspberry blossom flavours and more black fruit flavours with decanting.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with firmer tannins, tart red cherries and floral. Light oak and sweet spices with air. Less floral and more noticeable oak, plus candied red cherry flavours with decanting.
Decanting brings out the black fruit aromas and flavours, so if you prefer this over red fruits, then decant.
Rating: A heavier and richer wine than the Cabernet Franc, this wine has more red fruit and berry aromas and flavours without decanting, while decanting brings out the black fruit aromas and flavours. Either way, this wine is dry, with a round, silky, mouth-filling texture. Medium-plus length finishing with firmer tannins.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can purchase their wines online via their website.
Thank you to Seaside Pearl for providing me with these wines to review.
