Rosewood Lock, Stock and Barrel 2012

Ian Anderson Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Lock your wine cabinet after you’ve stocked it by the barrel with this Niagara gem. OK so that didn’t work but this wine does and it really blew me away by how this old world style was so well done on this side of the pond. Winner of the best red wine at the All Canadian Wine Championships in 2014, Lock Stock & Barrel is a Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdota nd Malbec.

Rosewood Lane is located in Beamsville and is also a beautiful winery to visit. Its first wines were produced in 2006 and they have quickly become a top quality producer. Sadly Malbec fared poorly in Niagara in 2014 so stock up on this vintage now as it should cellar 3-4 years easily.

The 2011 was much more subtle but the 2012 leaps out of the glass with intensity and complexity. Because of the liberal use of new oak, the nose screams out cassis, red fruit, tobacco and even white pepper. The palate will be greeted by vanilla, ripe red berries, and cedar. Second sips (OK gleeful gulps!) brought out plums, chocolate and even mint. Good balance thanks to smooth tannins and along fruit finish. Try with Ontario lamb or a nice Alberta steak.