League of Farmers Cabernet Franc 2020

Tuesday, November 12^th: I tasted a bottle of League of Farmers Cabernet Franc 2020, a wine made by four growers – Marty Werner (who made the wine), Trevor Falk, Shawn Spiewak and Mark Lepp. (For the full story of these talented farmers, see Rick Van Sickle’s column at https://winesinniagara.com/2023/11/league-of-farmers-back-for-more-with-release-of-two-new-wines/.)

Here’s my review of their wine: Mature ruby in colour; lightly cedary, plum nose with oak spice and a floral top note; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, red plum and redcurrant flavours; beautifully balanced, with a fine mouth feel. (91)

Thursday, November 14^th: I received four red wines from Hester Creek in the Okanagan Valley.

Hester Creek reds

Hester Creek Character Red 2023
A blend of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Strah and Italian Merlot. Deep purple in colour; cedary, spicy, black fruit nose; medium-to-full-bodied, dry; savoury blackberry flavour with well-integrated oak, mellow tannins and a lively spine of acidity. A well-balanced wine. (92)

Hester Creek Syrah 2022 (co-fermented with a little Viognier)
Deep purple colour; herbal, blackberry bouquet with oak spice and a vanilla note; full-bodied, dry, elegant, blackberry flavour with a touch of pepper; beautifully balanced, great length and a lovely mouth feel. (93)

Hester Creek Old Vine Cabernet Franc 2022
Mature ruby in colour; spicy, vanilla nose of plums; medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured with flavours of black raspberry and plum rounded out with oak and cocoa powder tannins, (91)

Hester Creek Garland 2021
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec. Deep ruby in colour; cedary, spicy nose of blackcurrant and blueberry with a toasty flourish; medium-to-full-bodied, dry, elegant; beautifully balanced flavours of red and blackcurrant with ripe tannins. Lovely mouth-feel. (92)

Saturday, November 17^th: Deborah and I drove to Stonewall Estates in Lincoln to join our friends Zeena and Adam. Stonewall is housed in a magnificent barn. The winemaker J-P Colas was having lunch there with friends. He also makes wine at 13^th Street Winery and took time to taste with us.

We sampled:

Stonewall Estates Sparkling 2021 (an interesting blend of Gewurztraminer and Cabernet Franc)

Stonewall Estates Sparkling Rosé Brut (Gewurztraminer/Cabernet Franc)

Stonewall Estates Chardonnay 2023

Stonewall Estates Merlot Rosé 2023

Stonewall Estates The Farmer’s Red 2023

Stonewall Estates Cabernet Franc Reserve 2022

Ended with a barrel sample of Stonewall Estates Syrah 2023 (which going to be fantastic once it’s bottled).

Bought a bottle of the Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc Reserve.