Community Review

Icellars Estate Winery Icel Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada

Community Score: 4.6/5
Community Reviews: 4

Price: $60.00

Sweetness: Dry
Alcohol: 14.7%

Drink: 2018-2025

Bottle size: 750 ml
Winery: Icellars Estate Winery

Daniel O'Keefe rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

Grapes from the Icel Vineyard were hand-harvested and double sorted on November 17th at an astounding 26.2 Brix. Destemmed, lightly crushed, and cold soaked for seven days with punch downs thrice daily. A 14-day fermentation followed with punch downs once daily. Drained and pressed, settled for two days, then transferred to premium French oak barrels, half new and half seasoned. 12 months of aging with several rackings followed. A final blend of 10 barrels accounting for 250 cases was bottled.

The new standard for Cabernet Sauvignon in Niagara, the yard stick by which every varietal example originating in the Peninsula will be measured against moving forward. Young, it takes some breathing to coax out the bouquet. Leads with graham cracker, vanilla, oak spice, and toasty cocoa. Then in comes the blackcurrant, cassis, blackberry, black cherry, violets, tobacco, and eucalyptus. Massive mouth-coating tannins, built like a Barolo or Vintage Port, but so fine-grained and smooth that while pairing a protein is a recommendation, it is not a necessity. Impressively balanced, not an easy feat given the enormous proportions of tannin, alcohol (14.7% ABV), and acidity. The ripeness of Napa meets the complexity of Coonawarra, blended together in the perfect balance of power and poise in a way that only an extended hangtime in a cool climate could achieve. Decant for a few hours before a dinner including prime rib, ribeye steaks, or top sirloin, on the rarer side. Enjoy 2018 through 2026+.

Read Natalie's Full Review

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