Cabernet Franc

Floral & Juicy

Husband and wife duo Ilya and Nadia started Leaning Post winery in Niagara over 10 years ago. Initially a virtual set up, the winery now located on Highway 8, has become a reference producer in Niagara.

The 2022 vintage offered low cropping yields which give us the opportunity to craft a rose from numerous different vineyards across the Niagara region. Over a five-week period, 3 different vineyards were harvested for this rose starting on September 21st with Pinot Noir, October 12 was Gamay and finally on October 24 th the Cabernet Franc was harvested. The three red varieties were left on skins over night to extra their beautiful colour, then were direct pressed into stainless steel tanks where the juice was allowed to settle. All grape varieties were fermented separately at cool temperatures to preserve aromatics and fresh fruit. This wine was bottled in March 2023. 

Our house style of rose is bright and refreshing with the most beautiful colour and great fruit. The nose is so vibrant the red fruits such as raspberry, strawberry and watermelon with savoury notes of white pepper, lemon basil and hints of orange blossom. The palate reflexes the nose with rich texture and a delicate finish. This bright, refreshing Rose was built for warm summer days and good company!

Delivery timeline: It requires four full cases of each wine in order for us to build and fulfill four mixed cases. This process usually takes about 7-10 business days but may vary.

Transform your winter evenings with "Warming Reds To Fix the January Blues." This carefully curated case of rich, velvety red wines is designed to uplift your spirits and cozy up those chilly nights. Each bottle is a celebration of bold flavors and warming aromas, perfect for intimate gatherings or quiet nights by the fireplace. Embrace the season and sip your way to warmth and cheer—let our warming reds banish the January blues and become your go-to comfort companion!

Every mixed case includes 3 bottles of each wine.

3 bottles x Paulo Laureano Vinhas Velhas Tinto 2020 (Alentejo, Portugal)
Red | Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Trincadeira

Paulo Laureano is one of the most respected Portuguese winemakers and a reference for wines in the Alentejo region. Agronomist and oenologist, trained between Portugal, Australia, and Spain, after teaching at the University of Évora for 10 years, he decided to dedicate himself exclusively to what has moved him since 2003, making wine.

As the name indicates, this wine is made with old vines of Portuguese native varieties such as Aragonez, Trincadeira and Alicante Bouschet. The grapes ferment in stainless steel vats and aged for 12 months in new and used French oak barrels. It shows a generous, rounded nose of brambly/blackberry jam, perfumed florality, some oak vanilla and nutmeg. It is medium-full bodied, soft, genteel and warming with fine chalk tannin. Some minerality on the finish. The length is excellent.

3 bottles x Cantine Paradiso Sant'Andrea Nero di Troia / Primitivo 2023 (Puglia, Italy)
Red | Primitivo

Cantine Paradiso is located is the South of Italy, in the region of Puglia. Angelo Paradiso, the third generation of winemakers in the family, manages the vineyards and the winery. This wine is a blend of Nero di Troia and Primitivo, two native grapes to Puglia. It has an intense purple colour in the glass. On the nose, it delivers pronounced notes of ripe dark fruit, hints of spices and some floral notes. The palate is juicy with soft tannins and a really nice acidity. It is a very easy-drinking and enjoyable wine.

This wine pairs perfectly with tomato-based dishes: pasta bolognese, veal parmigiana, pizza... But would also be a great pairing with curries and spicy barbecue dishes too!

3 bottles x Château Les Paruades Macau en Médoc Bordeaux Supérieur 2020 (Bordeaux, France)
Red | Primitivo

Château Les Paruades is located in Macau en Médoc, on the foothills of the Margaux appellation and on the edge of the Gironde. The estate covers an area of 3.5 hectares with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc planted on clayey palus soil.  The vinification process follows the traditional methods of the Médoc, with total destemming and fermentation in stainless steel and concrete vats.

A blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc in Pomerol mimic, attractive and edgy when it wants or needs to be. Right Bank stylistic in any case, herbals and amaro welling through with liqueur consistency and fashion. Quite chic and notably concentrated, really credible, with brisk acidity and plenty of toughness keeping the wine safe, elongated and with portents of further potential. Quite a steal actually.

3 bottles x Clos del Rey Le Sabina Rouge AOC Maurey Sec 2021 (Roussillon, France)
Red | Grenache, Samso, Syrah

Established in 2001 by Julien Montagné and his family. Clos del Rey is located in the heart of the Maury appellation in the Roussillon. Although Maury is best known for its sweet, port-like wines, Clos del Rey only produces dry red wines now produced as AOC Maury Sec.

Le Sabina is an old bush vine cuvée of grenache, carignan and syrah grown on very stony, black schist soils. This engaging red is a concentrated, aromatic, flavourful wine, with a pure essence of blackberry and blueberry fruit, sweet and resinous wild herbs, scorched earth and liquorice. A highly satisfying and bold ensemble. Tannins are abundant but coated and softened by highly intense fruit extract. Great length as noted by Master Sommelier John Szabo. 

This wine is great with BBQ meats, lamb, beef, you name it.

This is a pre-order: Place your order deposit now and receive your case of wine in late March, 2025. You will receive an invoice once your wine lands with the remaining balance. Total wine cost will be $290 plus tax.

Matías Riccitelli was born in Cafayete, Salta. He identifies as a traveler and a tireless dreamer. After countless harvests throughout the world, he decided to combine everything he has learned and dedicate himself to exploring the excellent terroirs of Mendoza and the teachings of his mentor, and father, Jorge Riccitelli.

This Mixed case includes 1 bottle of each wine.

Matías Riccitelli Blanco de la Casa 2023. This wine represents Matías' style when it comes to white wines; working with their three most important white grapes: 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Sémillon and 20% Chardonnay, all of them coming from the coldest places in Valle de Uco.

The Sauvignon Blanc comes from limestone soils in Gualtallary. The Sémillon from 80-year old ungrafted vines in El Peral, in Valle de Uco, where soils are loam/clay. The Chardonnay comes from La Carrera, the highest elevation vineyard (1700 masl), with a complex soil of clay/loam with a subsoil of limestone gravel.

The wine shows complex aromas of green apple, hay and herbaceous notes that are underpinned by a remarkable minerality. Textured and full flavoured with a wonderful fluency and a rich energy on the finish.

Matías Riccitelli Tinto de la Casa 2022. This wine is the result of a Malbec-Malbec co-fermentation each coming from two different vineyards. Half of the grapes come from Las Compuertas, in Luján de Cuyo, at 1100 meters above sea level, the other half come from Gualtallary, in Valle de Uco at 1400 meters. 

Las Compuertas vineyard is characterized by having 1 metre of clay/loam, and a very rocky subsoil with great drainage. The vineyard in Gualtallary has limestone soils that infuse the Malbec planted on it with spiciness and fresness.

This wine is fermented with 50% whole cluster in small French wooden vats with indigenous yeasts. 

On the glass, it has a deep purple colour. On the nose, it combines floral notes with a spicy sensation and dark cherries. On the palate, it is a complex, rich wine, with soft tannins.

Matias Riccitelli Chardonnay Gualtallary Valle de Uco 2023. The search for complexity and elegance led Riccitelli to these small vineyards located at the foot of the Andes mountains. The Gualtallary vineyard is 1400 meters above sea level with rocky, limestone soils.

The grapes are macerated before fermentation for five days. Once pressed, fermentation happens in concrete eggs at low temperature with indigenous yeasts. Ageing continues in the same concrete eggs for about 8 months.

Greenish yellow with golden tones on the glass. A complex, elegant, with aromas of white flowers, pear, peach and vanilla wine. Perfectly balanced, high volume, with an elegant finish.

Matías Riccitelli Cabernet Franc Gualtallary 2022. A wine deeply influenced by the environment provided by the nearby mountain range. The grapes of Cabernet Franc come from Gualtallary, in Valle de Uco, at 1400 masl, where soils are mostly limestone, with gravel and sand. The grapes are destemmed and fermented with indigenous yeasts in small concrete vats, with soft and gentle punchdowns to obtain a slow extraction. The wine ages in used French barrels for 12 months.

The wine opens up with aromas of cassis and sweet and savoury dried herbs, as well as a bit of dried tobacco on the nose. Full-bodied on the palate with lush tannins that bloom with each sip and polished acidity that carries the ripe fruit into the finish. 

Pair this full style red with a hearty meat-based dishes to enhance the plush texture of this wine.  

Matías Riccitelli Viejos Viñedos en Pie Franco Sémillon 2023. This Sémillon comes from ungrafted old vines planted in the first decades of the 20th century, in the highest part of the traditional area of Tupungato, El Peral. Soils are mainly clay, with a rocky subsoil of pebbles.

The grapes are destemmed and macerated on the skins at low temprature for five days. Fermentation happens in French foûdres with indigenous yeasts. The wine is then aged for twelve months in foûdres.

The wine is fresh and elegant, with a good combination of fruity and floral notes, a silky texture and a refreshing acidity that makes it super versatile. It will evolve over time, developing complexity.

Matías Riccitelli Viejos Viñedos En Pie Franco Malbec 2021. Malbec is the Argentinian flagship variety and this beautiful wine is a truly sublime interpretation. Produced with grapes from old, ungrafted vines from small vineyards located at the foot of the Andes mountains, that were planted in the first decades of the 20th century.

The grapes are destemmed and fermented in small concrete vats with indigenous yeasts. Punchdowns are soft and gentle, in order to obtain a slow extraction. The wine ages in French barrels (500L) for about 16 months.

This wine has a traditional feel to it - deeply pigmented in the glass, unveiling ripe aromas of wild black berries and cherries, along with liquorice and whiffs of violet. The palate is poised and balance, with oak that is present but not invasive. A full-bodied wine that portrays the varietal tannins, which are round and elegant. The finish shows great depth and length. This is a truly a classic wine with great ageing potential. 

Spiced & Round

Husband and wife duo Ilya and Nadia started Leaning Post winery in Niagara over 10 years ago. Initially a virtual set up, the winery now located on Highway 8, has become a reference producer in Niagara.

This blended wine (61% Merlot, 39& Cabernet Franc) always over-delivers massively for the price. Blackberry, cassis, raspberry and mulberry instantly appear on the nose, with lilac, cracked white pepper, licorice and pancetta following closely behind. On the palate, the warmth and weight of the 2020 vintage is immediately evident, with a very broad and weighty mid-palate featuring plum, wild-blueberry, and strawberry layered over dark- chocolate and graphite with wisps of herbs-de-provence and black olive fading in and out.

The powerful but soft tannins make it satisfying to drink now with a good decant, but it will certainly age well over the next 5-8 years. Great with burgers, cured meat, and hard cheese.

Earthy & Peppery

Lighthall Vineyards is a small, proud, low volume and high quality winery located in enchanting Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada. All their wines are produced in a non-interventionist manner and fuelled by passion as hearty as our vines. They also make cheese, designed to pair with their wines.

Hand selected from our favourite barrels of PEC grown Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this is a cool-climate red specifically crafted for character, depth, and aging potential. The result is a something greater than the sum of its parts. A mix of brambleberry, baking spices, vanilla, and cocoa jump from the glass while the intensity of the fruit, structure, and pure deliciousness will leave a lasting impression.

Earthy & Peppery

Lighthall Vineyards is a small, proud, low volume and high quality winery located in enchanting Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada. All their wines are produced in a non-interventionist manner and fuelled by passion as hearty as our vines. They also make cheese, designed to pair with their wines.

Those looking for brooding dark fruit, eucalyptus, and pure pleasure in their red wine – look no further. This Cabernet Franc brings an intensity reminiscent of black cherry twizzler, menthol, cola, and blackberry panna cotta. Tannic yet easy drinking, this wine is fantastic with roasted chicken, venison, and rack of lamb.

Roast chicken with vincotto, charcuterie (especially paté and terrines), game meats (peking duck, roasted quail, pheasant), grilled lamb, venison, beef kofta, and shawarma are all delightful protein choices. Mild blue cheese, crottin (or Lighthall’s own Milford Reef), ratatouille, gratin dauphinois, and hearty soups with beans make good options for those seeking lighter fare.

Full & Rich

Husband and wife duo Ilya and Nadia started Leaning Post winery in Niagara over 10 years ago. Initially a virtual set up, the winery now located on Highway 8, has become a reference producer in Niagara.

The nose is full of plump ripe raspberry, blackberry and cherry with anise and slight cocoa notes. The perfume is elegant, bold and full of life. The palate, oh the palate, what can we say? The richness, and round big tannins have control and structure of the wine. The combination of red fruits, flavourful spices wrapped in velvet leather notes gives this wine a new meaning to Niagara Cabernet Franc.

Feel free to age this full-bodied beauty for the next 8-10 years. If you drink it now, try it with hard cheeses like a well aged Cheddar, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Pecorino Romano or with roasted red meat.