back

Benjamin Bridge Cabernet Franc Rose 2019

Canada, Nova Scotia
Best-seller
Organic
Biodynamic
4.2 VO 4.2 Points (Vivino)
Country Canada
Province Nova Scotia
Region Gaspereau Valley
Producer Benjamin Bridge
Vintage 2019
Color Rosé / Orange Wine
Varietal(s) Cabernet Franc
¥4,840  (incl. tax)
Country Canada
Province Nova Scotia
Region Gaspereau Valley
Producer Benjamin Bridge
Vintage 2019
Color Rosé / Orange Wine
Varietal(s) Cabernet Franc
Data
Closure Screw Cap
Volume 750ml
Alcohol 10%
Product Code D001P00119
UPC 695555000355
Inventory In Stock (33)
Owning & Enjoying

Tasting notes

In the glass, a light salmon colour with a magenta hue. On the nose, evocations of gooseberry preserve and red currant are accentuated by touches of flint and lime. The palate is lively and brisk, with its suggestions of blood orange and McIntosh apples, seemingly enhanced by a dash of sea salt. A tonic, stimulating rose striking a perfect balance between zesty acidity and a deeply layered texture.

Hand crafted with no chemical additions, naturally occurring wine tartrates, or affectionately known by industry professionals as “wine diamonds”, may be visible in some bottles.

Pairing

Charcuterie, cold salads, seafood.

Press
4.2Vivino
Production

Vinification

The Cabernet Franc rosé varietal has a reputation for producing some of the world’s finest rosé wines, many of which come from the Loire Valley of France. By combining Cabernet Franc’s proven elegance with the refreshing qualities of the Annapolis Valley terroir, we have created an exciting new wine with complex flavours.

Made from one of the oldest vinifera plantings in Nova Scotia, this coastal Cabernet Franc provides a striking example of true coastal viticulture. Nestled alongside the Minas Basin, a few meters from the dynamic waters of the bay of Fundy, this unique block allows for a significant extension of the growing season. As a result of the nearby and continual displacement of more water than all the freshwater rivers in the world combined, the maturity and flavour development reach unsuspected heights.

This vintage is a story of how one wine’s loss became another wine’s gain. For the last three years, a precedent had been set that if an extraordinary red wine was to emerge at Benjamin Bridge, it would undoubtedly hail from a resilient 25-year-old parcel of Cabernet Franc on the banks of the Habitant Estuary. Recently converted to organic viticulture, this reinvigorated ecosystem had routinely produced a Cabernet Franc (red) of uncommon depth and texture, and nothing seemed capable of slowing down the ascent of this wine. When Hurricane Dorian struck in September of 2019, the halt on ripening prevented the fruit from that very parcel from reaching the maturity levels required to live up to the stylistic precedent of previous red wine vintages. However, one lesson learned from European vintages featuring various degrees of declassification for Port, First Growth Bordeaux and Grand Cru Burgundy is that sacrificing the top wine often results in generational value and quality in the second wine, as they are exceptionally made from the same parcels as the iconic reference. On an exceptional basis, the 2019 Cab Franc Rosé is featuring 100% of the fruit traditionally destined for the small-lot, barrel aged Cabernet Franc Red, making this vintage one of Benjamin Bridge’s most anticipated rosé releases. 100% wild fermented with no additions.

Producer

Producer Description

In just over two short decades, Benjamin Bridge has distinguished itself as Canada's premier sparkling wine house.
 

An ambitious and visionary project, in 1999, Gerry McConnell and, his late wife, Dara Gordon purchased land in the Gaspereau Valley with the bold vision to create a world-class winery that would reflect an unconditional commitment to producing spectacular wines. At that time, the Nova Scotia wine industry had only a few wineries with widely varied wine portfolios, so they sought expertise from outside the region to assess the potential for terroir-driven wines in Nova Scotia. In 2000, leading winery consultant and international winemaker, Peter J. Gamble, was engaged as wine consultant with his partner, winemaker Ann Sperling; that year, land was cleared, tiled and subsoil was fractured in preparation for the first plantings.

After significant research, they recommended Benjamin Bridge develop a specialized wine portfolio by exploring the potential to produce classic method sparkling wines and brisk, aromatic whites. Upon the recommendation of Peter Gamble and Tom Stevenson, the world’s foremost Champagne authority, Gerry and Dara contacted leading Champagne oenologist Raphaël Brisbois, former chef de cave for the legendary Piper Heidsieck. Raphaël agreed to tour and assess the vineyards and the region, and after tasting tremendous potential agreed to consult, until his recent passing in late summer 2013. In 2002, the first experimental sparkling wines were made; seven different cuvées in all, in order to better understand the terroir, the varieties, the structure and the aromatics. Subsequent cuvées followed in succession with the exception of 2006, when a devastating winter (minus 26.5 degrees Celsius) struck the Gaspereau Valley. In view of the minimal size of the traditional vinifera harvest, the company elected not to make a classic method sparkling wine in 2006. To date, approximately 40 acres have been planted to grape vines. Gerry and Dara wholeheartedly supported the organic approach advised by the Gamble/Sperling team, and from the outset, the vineyard advanced quickly to full organic certification. More than half of the plantings is devoted to vinifera grapes (primarily Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, but also some Sauvignon Blanc for still winemaking). After the purchase of an additional 60+ acres of farmland adjacent to the current estate in 2013, the estate will grow to 75 acres of vineyard by 2018. Since 2009 Benjamin Bridge has also worked with a select number of local grape growers who share its passion for and dedication to quality in the vineyard.

In 2008, Benjamin Bridge head winemaker, Jean-Benoit Deslauriers, joined the winery and, from there, began crafting its sparkling and still wine vintages, in consultation with Peter and Raphaël. These wines include Nova 7, an off-dry, slightly effervescent white wine that has become the top selling white wine in Nova Scotia, outpacing all domestic and international offerings. Nova 7 has been coined Nova Scotia’s “iconic wine”, becoming the first Nova Scotia wine to be listed in Ontario and available across Canada. In August 2012, Benjamin Bridge’s 2004 Brut Reserve and 2004 Blanc de Noirs were tasted in a comparative blind tasting with 2004 Cristal and 2005 David Léclapart L’Apôtre Blanc de Blanc with leading Canadian wine writers in Toronto, Ontario. Both Tony Aspler and Konrad Ejbich reported nationally that the majority of the attendees – themselves included - ranked the Benjamin Bridge sparkling ahead of the highly rated prestige Champagne. Regarding the excellent Benjamin Bridge showing, Ejbich further commented “A one point spread may not seem like a lot, but when you’re comparing the best of Old World wines with New World wines, it does matter. In some minds, it’s seismic.” Wine writer/participant Ed Finstein declared Benjamin Bridge sparkling as “Canada’s best bubbly” and “amazing sparkling wine that can rival any top cuvee of Champagne.” Sparkling wine production volumes, in the range of 1,200 bottles per annum during the company’s initial years, have grown slowly as the company’s vineyard plantings continue to expand; 10,000 bottles from the 2012 harvest were cellared for future release. In recent years, Oz Clarke, one of Britain’s most famous wine writers, declared: “Benjamin Bridge is the new Canadian sparkler star.” And John Szabo, Canada’s first and only Master Sommelier, declared, “I’m confident in stating that this [‘05 Brut Reserve] is very likely the finest sparkling wine to have yet been issued from Canadian soil”.

Customer Reviews

Be the first to review this wine!