Christening

The first bottle of wine opened in the new apartment today was the 1998 Strewn Cabernets. A good choice. 1998 was by far the most spectacular vintage of the '90s for Niagara reds and so far only 2002 seems to be in the same league. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon/45% Cabernet Franc.

Cab Franc is one of the flagship varietals for Strewn and it does fairly well in Niagara overall. Quite rare to see it in Napa but have stumbled across it a couple of times in Sonoma & Healdsburg. Traditionally more of a blending wine, but Strewn, Marynissen Estates, Pilliterri and a few others seem to be able to pull something big and magical out of it in VQA land.

The two Cabs has a deep rich colour just starting to develop that nice bricky old red tinge. Kind of a dark cocoa nose but an interesting but yummy roasted pepper thing going on. I think it is probably perfect now to a year or two from now.

The Strewn 1998 straight Cab Franc was known as the 'Cellar Monster' and was the first time Sheena paid more than $30 for a Canadian wine. Have a half dozen or so tucked away somewhere in one of these boxes but I confess it still gives me the willies because it snores when it's sleeping. I need to make sure it's not that box under the bed.