Kacaba Vineyards
We were proud to feature Kacaba Vineyards in June 2021.
Kacaba Vineyards Winery is a premium small batch winery located on prime bench land of the Niagara Escarpment in Vineland, Ontario. Smaller batch sizes assure that focus is placed on producing wine of merit. The winemaker’s emphasis is placed on creating wines rich in aromas, deep in color and character with velvety finishes.
Kacaba wines are produced using only the finest grapes grown on the Kacaba estate or partnered grape growers from surrounding vineyards. Kacaba Vineyards wines are award winning and sell through quickly.
Tasting Notes
OAK AGED CHARDONNAY, 2018
Kacaba Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Escarpment
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Foxcroft Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.1%
Residual Sugar: 3.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 300
Appearance: Bright, pale golden colour.
Nose: Toasty, apple with oak spice and a note of underbrush.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, round and unctuous on the palate with melon and peach flavours with subtle oak notes and a fresh, lemony-acidic finish.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink now or hold 1 -2 years.
Critic Rating: 89 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Crispy herbed polenta cakes, teriyaki salmon burger, chicken alfredo with peas, crab and brie-stuffed pears, and pork fajita wraps.
CABERNET/SYRAH, 2017
Kacaba Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Escarpment
Varietal: Syrah (46%), Cabernet Franc (27%), Cabernet Sauvignon (27%)
Vineyard: Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.7%
Residual Sugar: 5.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 925
Appearance: Deep ruby in colour.
Nose: Smoky, toasty, vanilla oak and blackberry and blackcurrant nose.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, juicy and savoury with black plum, blackberry and licorice flavours. Nicely integrated oak and ripe tannins.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink in 2023 and beyond.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Jerk chicken roti wrap, flat iron steak with charred scallions, green pepper and rice casserole, rabbit and dumplings, and sun-dried tomato chicken bake.
RESERVE RIESLING, 2019
Kacaba Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Escarpment
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Foxcroft Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.1%
Residual Sugar: 24.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 455
Appearance: Pale straw with a lime tint.
Nose: Lime and grapefruit on the nose with an engaging floral top note.
Palate: Light to medium-bodied; honeyed grapefruit flavour with racy, mouth-freshening acidity. Good length.
Quality: Very Good+ / Outstanding. Drinking well now, but will reward cellaring. This wine will last five to ten years if properly cellared.
Critic Rating: 89 – 91 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Miso-poached black cod, prawn and mango salad with wasabi-lime dressing, chicken piccata, broccoli salad with apples and walnuts, and grilled swordfish with jalapeño butter.
WISMER VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2017
Kacaba Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Escarpment
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Wismer Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.7%
Residual Sugar: 3.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 600
Appearance: Bright ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, toasty, blueberry and red currant nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, elegant, blueberry and cassis flavours with well-integrated oak and evident, but ripe, tannins. Lovely mouth-feel.
Quality: Outstanding. Hold 2-3 years.
Critic Rating: 91 – 92 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: French dip sliders, veal stew with spring greens, turkey burger with grilled pineapple, spiced tuna with saffron and Israeli couscous, and grilled balsamic mushrooms.
BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY, 2017
Kacaba Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Escarpment
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Foxcroft Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.3%
Residual Sugar: 12.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 335
Appearance: Bright, golden straw colour.
Nose: Buttered toast bouquet of yellow apples with oak spice.
Palate: Medium to full-bodied, dry, mouth-filling apple crumble and lychee flavours with well-integrated oak; harmonious and lingering on the palate.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now or hold 1 – 2 years.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Almond-crusted chicken tenders with plum sauce, langoustines with lemon & pepper butter, turkey and cranberry puff pastry, zucchini and goat cheese tarts, and vegetable soup.
PROPRIETOR'S BLOCK SYRAH, 2017
Kacaba Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Escarpment
Varietal: Syrah
Vineyard: Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.7%
Residual Sugar: 3.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 746
Appearance: Deep purple-ruby in colour.
Nose: Slightly herbal spicy, tobacco and black plum bouquet with a floral note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, elegant, blackberry flavour carried on fresh acidity; beautifully balanced and juicy on the palate.
Quality: Outstanding. Can be enjoyed now, but will reward cellaring 1 -2 years.
Critic Rating: 91 – 92 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Dry-rubbed baby back ribs, venison gyro, beef and Guinness pot pie with biscuits, crispy tofu steaks with soy maple glaze, and smoked brisket with pickled vegetables.
FUMÉ BLANC, 2017
Kacaba Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Bonomo Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.6%
Residual Sugar: 3.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 200
Appearance: Clear, bright. Pale straw core.
Nose: Vanilla, baked bread, white flowers, citrus fruit, pear, and hints of butterscotch and baking spice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Orange, green apple, vanilla, grapefruit, minerality, hints of pineapple and toast. Well-balanced and buttery smooth finish.
Quality: Outstanding. 90 points. Drink now.
Food Pairing: Calamari and avocado bruschetta, beet salad with goat cheese and orange vinaigrette, smoked salmon bagel with cream cheese, baked haddock with tomatoes, and three-cheese oyster gratin.
REBECCA ROSÉ, 2019
Kacaba Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Gamay Noir
Vineyard: Kirby Vineyard, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Alcohol: 12.8%
Residual Sugar: 4.9 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 500
Appearance: Bright. Lightly semi-opaque. Pale salmon core.
Nose: Strawberry, cherry, cranberry, pink grapefruit, and a touch of white floral aromas.
Palate: Medium acid, light tannin, medium body. Strawberry, red cherry, cranberry, pink grapefruit. Hints of pineapple and orange zest on the finish.
Quality: Very Good+. 89 points. Well-balanced and refreshing. Drink now.
Food Pairing: Feta and dill-crusted pork chops, asparagus tempura, scallop and bacon pizza, lamb chops with rhubarb chutney, and red snapper ceviche with radishes and orange zest.
PINOT GRIS, 2020
Kacaba Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: Greenlane Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.9%
Residual Sugar: 5.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 511
Appearance: Clear, bright. Very pale straw core.
Nose: Tropical fruit, pear, red apple, white flowers, hint of citrus and minerality.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Baking spice, pear, grapefruit, peach, and a touch of honey and minerality. Lime zest on the finish.
Quality: Very Good+. 89 points. Well balanced and refreshing.
Food Pairing: Spinach-stuffed chicken breast, salami with apricot jam and crackers, black bean tacos with carrot and cilantro slaw, pan-seared octopus, and chili-lime tilapia with corn sauté.
RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2018
Kacaba Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara Escarpment
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.3%
Residual Sugar: 3.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 455
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Deep ruby core.
Nose: Vivid dark cherry, cassis, tobacco and smoke.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium+ body. Black currant, ripe black cherry, cigar box, green herbs, black pepper and baking spice.
Quality: Outstanding. 91 points. A beautifully balanced and versatile wine. Drink now or cellar for 5+ years.
Food Pairing: Beef wellington, lasagna with cottage cheese, roasted beets and other root vegetables, flank steak with basil dressing, and Mediterranean-stuffed eggplant with orzo.
CABERNET FRANC, 2017
Kacaba Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara Escarpment
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.6%
Residual Sugar: 4.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 650
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Ruby red core.
Nose: Green pepper, dark cherry, blackberry, green herbs, hint of pepper spice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dark cherry, plum, black currant, green pepper, smoke, licorice, hint of pepper spice.
Quality: Outstanding. 90 points. Well-balanced. Decant if drinking now or age 1-2 years.
Food Pairing: Calzone with ricotta cheese and pepperoni, olive-stuffed meatballs, chorizo and cheddar on a bun, kidney bean curry on rice, and blue cheese-crusted filet mignon.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2017
Kacaba Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara Escarpment
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.7%
Residual Sugar: 4.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 575
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Ruby red core.
Nose: Red cherry, raspberry, violets, an herbal note, and a hint of pepper spice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dark cherry, blackberry, plum, green pepper, earth, green herbs, and a hint of black pepper. Savoury and well-balanced.
Quality: Very Good+ / Outstanding. 89 – 90 points. Decant well if drinking now or hold for 2-3 years.
Food Pairing: Lamb and potato gnocchi, roasted romanesco with parmesan, soft pretzel with black truffle and cheese dip, porterhouse steak with cherry and black pepper sauce, and ground bison burrito bowl.
MERITAGE, 2017
Kacaba Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara Escarpment
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), Cabernet Franc (31%), Merlot (24%)
Vineyard: Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.7%
Residual Sugar: 4.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 550
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Medium garnet core.
Nose: Dark cherry, blackberry, licorice, leather, smoke, and green pepper aromas.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dark cherry, black currant, plum, licorice, green vegetal note, and earth. Touch of black pepper on the finish.
Quality: Outstanding. 90 points. Well-balanced. Decant if drinking now or hold 1-2 years.
Food Pairing: Florentine turkey meatloaf, ancho chile and honey-basted quail, cabbage rolls stuffed with rainbow peppers, Mongolian beef with sriracha rice noodles, and roast chicken with green tahini sauce.