Thirty Bench Wine Makers

Wild Cask Cabernet Franc

Canada, Niagara Peninsula

2020

Wild Cask Cabernet Franc

The complex soils of Beamsville Bench, Lake Ontario, nurture vines and inject bracing minerality into the wines. This 100% Cabernet Franc is no exception. Forward red fruit and mouth-watering acidity. Sichuan pepper, black fruit, sage and chocolate fill the glass and whet the appetite. Just brilliant with hearty stews.

WBSS24 Thirty Bench Wine Makers Wild Cask Cabernet Franc 2020

The Essence of Beamsville Bench

The winery is located in the tiny appellation called Beamsville Bench. This narrow strip of land near Lake Ontario boasts sloping vineyards and deep, dry soils; a valuable terroir that shapes the exceptional taste of its wine. The winery is committed to ‘small lot’ winemaking. Grapes are hand-picked and hand-sorted from vineyards that produce very low yields with incredible quality. The wines are always made in small batches, reinforcing the belief that less is more. Each wine made at Thirty Bench is distinctive - a unique expression of their vineyard and their small lot approach to winemaking.

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Unveiling the Phenomenal 2020 Vintage

From the phenomenal 2020 vintage, they hand-picked Cabernet Franc from two organically grown, low-yielding vineyard blocks; Crabtree Vineyard (3.2 acres, planted in 1999, in Beamsville), and one of their own on-site estate vineyards. The grapes received an 18-day maceration in open wooden fermenters, with a twice daily pigeage (punch downs) to break surface cap and wild yeast fermentation. The wine was then barrel aged in premium 100% French oak for 12 months (Taransaud Reference 102, St. Martin T+J (Tronçais and Jupilles) medium toast). Full malolactic fermentation was encouraged. Top barrels were selected to determine the final blend. Once bottled the wine received an extended period of bottle ageing before release. Limited production of 422 cases.

Tasting
NOTES

Sichuan pepper and black fruit with sage and chocolate notes fill the nose. The palate is fruit forward showing raspberries and red fruit. Very balanced acidity and oak, medium finish carries the red fruit character. Could be consumed now but it will improve with some bottle ageing.

Food
PAIRINGS

The combination of red fruits and herbs with the freshness of the acidity makes this a perfect partner for meat stew or game dishes.

Contact
PRODUCER

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WBSS24 Thirty Bench Wine Makers Wild Cask Cabernet Franc 2020

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