Review: Inniskillin Ice Wines, 2020 Releases
Review: Inniskillin Ice Wines, 2020 Releases
It’s been six years since we checked in with Inniskillin (and six more years before that), so it’s high time we sampled the Canadian winery’s icewines once again.
Inniskillin makes icewine (aka ice wine) from three different varietals (plus a sparkling version) all grown in the Niagara peninsula and all made from frozen grapes that are harvested for what little juice remains in them. While ultra-sweet after fermentation, the finished wines actually have very low alcohol levels. (The riesling is just 9.5% abv.)
Check our prior reviews for more back story on Inniskillin, or just dive in to these fresh vintages. These are largely only available in 375ml bottles now.
2017 Inniskillin Riesling – Close your eyes and you’ll think you’re drinking Sauternes — boldly honeyed with notes of lemon peel, almond paste, and peachy stone fruits. Incredibly sweet, with lingering notes of sesame oil and apricot jam. Gorgeous. A / $70 (375ml) [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE]
2017 Inniskillin Cabernet Franc – Take the Riesling above and filter it through notes of raisins, baking spice, almonds, and you’ve got this icy expression of cabernet franc. Honey interplays quite nicely with a touch of chocolate and caramel, with a deft reprise of raisin on the finish. More soulful and lush than the brighter, more aggressively sweet Riesling, with a clear berry component to it. A / $80 (375ml) [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
2017 Inniskillin Vidal – Note that Inniskillin also makes a sparkling version of this wine; this is the flat expression. Sweet and somewhat similar to the Riesling, this wine layers in a stronger honey character, touched with earth and a spray of baking spice. There’s a kick of applesauce as the palate develops, which gives the wine a certain element of nostalgia. A- / $50 (375ml) [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
2017 Inniskillin Cabernet Franc
$80
