Inniskillin cabernet franc Icewine Niagara Peninsula 375ml

Experience the revolutionary marriage of Bordeaux nobility and Canadian innovation with Inniskillin's Cabernet Franc Icewine, a wine that shatters preconceptions about what icewine can be. While most associate icewine with white grapes, Inniskillin has pioneered the production of red icewines that offer an entirely different flavor spectrum. This Cabernet Franc represents the pinnacle of their red icewine program—a wine that combines the grape's inherent elegance with the concentration that only true ice harvest can achieve.

The production of red icewine presents unique challenges. The grapes must maintain their integrity through multiple freeze-thaw cycles while retaining their delicate pigments and tannins. Harvested in the depths of winter at temperatures below -8°C, often by headlamp at 3 AM, these frozen berries yield an intensely concentrated must that captures the essence of both the variety and the vintage. The result is nothing short of magical—a deep ruby-garnet wine with pink highlights that sparkles like liquid garnets.

The nose is immediately arresting and unlike any other wine in your collection. Fresh strawberry and raspberry preserves mingle with more complex notes of candied cranberries and cherry compote. But this is no simple fruit bomb—there's remarkable complexity here. Notes of rose petals, white chocolate, vanilla bean, and exotic spices like pink peppercorn and cardamom add layers of intrigue. As it warms, hints of tobacco leaf and bell pepper—classic Cabernet Franc markers—emerge, adding a savory dimension that distinguishes this from white icewines.

On the palate, this icewine delivers an experience that challenges everything you thought you knew about dessert wines. The initial impression is one of incredible concentration—imagine the essence of a hundred perfectly ripe strawberries condensed into a single sip. But what follows is even more impressive. The wine's natural acidity, preserved by the frozen harvest, cuts through the richness like a knife, creating a dynamic tension between sweetness and freshness. Mid-palate, more complex flavors emerge: raspberry coulis, candied violets, milk chocolate-covered cherries, and a subtle herbaceous note that adds complexity.

The texture is luxuriously silky, with incredibly fine tannins that provide just enough structure to remind you this is indeed a red wine. The finish is extraordinarily long and layered, with new flavors emerging minutes after each sip—dried strawberries, Turkish delight, and a subtle minerality that speaks to the Niagara terroir.

This Cabernet Franc Icewine's pairing potential is limitless. It's transcendent with chocolate desserts, particularly those featuring berries—imagine it with chocolate-covered strawberries or a decadent Black Forest cake. Strong cheeses like aged Cheddar or Époisses create fascinating sweet-savory contrasts. For an unforgettable experience, pair it with duck breast with cherry sauce or even venison—the wine's sweetness and fruit complement game beautifully. Serve well chilled and savor slowly; this is a wine that reveals its complexities gradually, making each small pour a journey of discovery.