This is the wine that won the Ontario Wine Awards red wine of the year in 2015. Does that put to rest the controversial idea of appassimento being adopted as a wine style in Ontario? No, but it sure does make you pause in your criticism, because if done right, it can be a beauty of a wine. The big worry is that the character of the grape will be lost in all that “manipulation” – but here the Cabernet Franc is front and center with smoky, tobacco, raspberry, black cherry and some nice savoury elements … It reminds me of an old school Amarone and hence why the Italian name for this wine fits. After it is open for a bit there’s a lovely smoothness that cuts clean across the palate. It might be a tad pricy (too say the least) but it certainly is delicious. Price: $78.00 – Rating; **** ½