Cabernet Franc is a serious grape in Ontario, unfortunately the rest of the world sees it as just a blender, but for my money Franc, handled well, stands up. This wine spent 1 year in a mix of new French (40%) and American (60%) oak barrels ... it was also harvest at 1.5 tons to the acre (on November 17, 2009) and at 24.2 brix (good sugar levels for these parts, especially for the '09 vintage). Smells of tobacco, cherry, raspberry and smoke lead it up the nose, while smoky vanilla, tobacco leaf, a touch of herbs and some black cherry lead it down the palate. Tannins are a little rugged, but that's to be expected in a young, newly bottled, wine Give it a year to mellow than drink, this one's a candidate for some nice mid-term cellaring, 2013 to 2018. Price: $28.00 - Rating: **** 1/2+