As I mentioned in a recent Instagram post, with inter-trade barriers coming to a close in Canada by Canada Day and Canadians wanting to support Canadians, I contacted some Ontario wineries about sending me samples of their Cabernet Franc wines to review.
Cabernet Franc has found a remarkable home in the diverse terroirs of Ontario, producing wines that are both vibrant and distinctive. We love Cabernet Franc in BC and I think it would be great to see the differences in Ontario Cab Franc as affected by their terroir so that we can celebrate Cabernet Franc in all its variety across Canada.
I received wines from several Ontario wineries to review and also to check in and find out more about their terroir, the growing season, and how it affects their wines. But to begin, I will provide my wine reviews. All wines are VQA. The first two Cabernet Franc wines that I tasted are AMO Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2021 and the Tawse Winery Growers Blend Cabernet Franc 2020. Both wines come from the Niagara Peninsula VQA region and both use cork closures.
Tawse is the orange icon and AMO is the red icon on the map. The wineries are about 50km apart. AMO notes that their Clay Heavy Loam soil is nutrient-rich and dense, giving their wines their unique character. The Tawse soil is Limestone Clay Loam. Tawse manages their vineyards organically. Did the limestone impart any minerality to the wine? Read on.
2020 vs 2021 Vintages
The growing season has a distinct impact on grape growing and maturation, and the wine that is produced. Warmer growing seasons allow grapes to fully ripen, giving you riper fruit flavours, more fruit flavours, softer acidity, and tannins from the grapes (which can be overridden by oak barrel aging).
I was told the 2020 vintage had close to picture perfect conditions. Just enough rain and always spaced apart without prolonged droughts. The humidity didn’t sustain for long periods this summer and the airflow off Lake Ontario allowed for the necessary cooling periods when we needed it.
For the 2021, I was told the summer was a bit hotter and drier than they would like for viticulture, and it resulted in some vines shutting down and delaying ripening. As it got into August they had rain, but it was very site-specific with some vineyards getting lots and others getting next to nothing. Soon after harvest began, rain came in waves and picking decisions were made based on the weather. Rain throughout harvest was probably one of the biggest challenges they faced.
My Wine Tasting Notes
AMO Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2021 (ON $34.80)
From the winery, “The name “AMO” originates from the Latin word for “I love.” It also symbolizes the family’s unity: “A” stands for Angie, the mother; “M” for Mike, the father; and “O” for offspring, representing the children.”
Appearance: A clear to the core, medium-plus intensity garnet colour. Teardrops visible after swirling the glass.
Nose: Very light aromas of red fruits, red cherries, and touches of oak and candied cherries. Same aromas after decanting plus a touch of herbaceousness.
Palate: Dry, medium-plus body with a round smooth, not quite mouth filling mouthfeel. Medium acidity and fine-grained tannins. Red fruit, red cherries, and red plum flavours, with touches of candied cherries, pine needle, oak, and some grape stem bitterness. No change to the flavours after decanting.
Finish: A medium to medium-plus length finishing with tart red fruit flavours, and hints of pepperiness, candied cherries and grape stem bitterness. Medium intensity drying tannins on the finish. No tart fruit flavours and more black fruit flavours after decanting. I also did not detect any candied cherries or grape stem bitterness.
This is an understated Cabernet Franc wine. Red fruit and red cherry aromas and flavours. It maybe better without decanting as you lose some flavours on the finish.
Rating: 
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no decanting. The AMO Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2021 has a clear garnet colour, with delicate aromas of red cherries, oak, and a hint of candied fruit, gaining a touch of herbaceousness after decanting. On the palate, it’s medium-plus in body with smooth texture, offering red fruit, plum, and subtle notes of pine and grape stem. The finish is medium to medium-plus with drying tannins, tart red fruits and spice, though decanting loses red fruit and cherries and brings in more black fruit character.
Tawse Winery Growers Blend Cabernet Franc 2020 (ON $29.95)
Appearance: A deep, dull garnet colour in the glass. Around 85% opaque.
Nose: Medium-plus elegant aromas of sweet red fruits, cedar and touches of vanilla and sweet spices. Same flavours after decanting, plus juicy berries. The aromas are more intense after decanting.
Palate: This wine is dryish with medium-plus body, and a smooth, round, soft, thicker mouthfeel. Lower acidity and light tannins to start. Juicy berries, red fruits and plums that transition over to black fruits toward the finish. Light vanilla, oak, and minerality. The wine has a slightly lighter body and a more lean mouthfeel after decanting. I get some buttery texture on the palate. Same fruit flavours.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with black fruits and juicy berries flavours, some pepperiness and oak bitterness. The tannins get firmer on the finish. No change to the finish after decanting.
A delightful, fruit forward Cabernet Franc. Elegant. No need to decant, but will taste great the next day if you don’t finish it upon first opening the bottle.
Rating: The Tawse Winery Growers Blend Cabernet Franc 2020 opens with deep garnet colour and expressive aromas of sweet red fruits, cedar, and vanilla, which intensify and gain juicy berry notes after decanting. On the palate, it’s smooth and full of red and black fruit, hints of vanilla and minerality, and a touch of buttery texture. The medium-plus finish brings juicy black fruits, pepper, and a hint of oak bitterness, with firmer tannins rounding out the wine
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can buy these wines online from each winery’s website.
The Tawse Winery Growers Blend Cabernet Franc 2020 is also available at LCBO stores in Ontario.
