Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Icewine 375ML

Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Icewine 375ML is a VQA-certified Canadian icewine made from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes harvested frozen on the vine, bottled at 9.5% ABV in a 375ml format. The 2017 vintage earned 96 points from Wine Enthusiast and 91 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, while the 2019 vintage scored 95 points from both Wine Enthusiast and Decanter alongside 94 points from Robert Parker — placing it among the most critically acclaimed red icewines in the world.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9.5%  |  Origin: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada  |  Varietal: 100% Cabernet Franc  |  Winery: Inniskillin (Est. 1975)

Production & Heritage

Inniskillin was founded in 1975 in the Niagara Peninsula — one of the first estate wineries licensed in Ontario since Prohibition — and quickly became synonymous with Canadian icewine after gaining global recognition at Vinexpo in 1991. For this Cabernet Franc expression, grapes are left on the vine until temperatures drop to at least -10°C, typically between December and January, then harvested and pressed immediately. The wine's distinctive ruby-copper hue comes entirely from the pressing stage, as there is no skin contact during fermentation; juice is cold-settled for seven days and fermented cool for approximately 21 days. Earlier harvests within the picking window tend to yield darker color and deeper flavor concentration, making each vintage a reflection of that specific winter's timing and severity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rhubarb and raspberry aromatics lead, followed by waves of candied apricot and sweet tobacco. Beneath those primary notes sit deeper layers of honey and caramel that intensify as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is rich and viscous, delivering immediate strawberry-rhubarb crumble sweetness balanced by bright acidity. At mid-palate, blueberry and blackberry jam flavors emerge alongside molasses undertones. The peak brings guava and tropical fruit intensity, with enough structural acidity to prevent the considerable residual sugar from overwhelming the palate.

Finish: Long and lingering, with strawberries-and-cream sweetness slowly giving way to honeyed warmth and a faint tobacco note. The acidity carries through cleanly, leaving a fresh, almost tart impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Inniskillin Cab Franc Icewine

Serve well chilled, between 10–12°C (50–54°F), in a small tulip-shaped glass that concentrates the aromatics. This icewine is best appreciated in modest pours on its own as a dessert wine or alongside a final course. For cocktail applications: try it in an Icewine Spritz topped with sparkling water and a lemon twist to lighten the sweetness; in an Icewine Kir Royale floated over dry Champagne for a striking color contrast and layered complexity; or in an Icewine Bellini blended with prosecco, where the rhubarb-berry profile adds depth beyond a standard peach version.

Best For

• Gifting a wine collector who already has everything — icewine remains a rare and memorable category
• Closing a dinner party with a dessert pairing course of blue cheese and dried fruit
• Celebrating a Canadian-themed tasting alongside Niagara Peninsula still wines
• Marking a milestone anniversary or holiday with a distinctive after-dinner pour

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Inniskillin Cab Franc Icewine taste like? It delivers rich, concentrated flavors of strawberry-rhubarb crumble, honey, candied apricot, and blackberry jam, all balanced by vibrant acidity that keeps the pronounced sweetness in check.

How does Inniskillin Cab Franc Icewine compare to Peller Estates Cabernet Franc Icewine? Both are VQA-certified Niagara Peninsula icewines made from 100% Cabernet Franc, but Inniskillin's longer track record and consistent high scores — up to 96 points from Wine Enthusiast — give it a stronger critical pedigree. Peller Estates tends to position at a similar price tier and offers comparable red-berry intensity, though individual vintage quality and availability vary.

Is Inniskillin Cab Franc Icewine good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its high acidity provides essential structure against the residual sugar, making it one of the more balanced and rewarding icewines to drink neat in small pours after a meal.

Where is Inniskillin Cab Franc Icewine made? It is produced by Inniskillin Wines in the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario, Canada, a region whose cold winters and proximity to the Great Lakes create ideal conditions for natural icewine grape freezing.

What foods pair well with Inniskillin Cab Franc Icewine? Strong blue cheeses like Roquefort or Stilton complement the sweetness with savory contrast. Foie gras or duck liver pâté mirrors the wine's richness. Fresh berry tarts or strawberry shortcake echo its core fruit profile. Dark chocolate truffles highlight the molasses and tobacco undertones. Crème brûlée works as a classic pairing, with its caramelized sugar echoing the honey notes.

What sizes does Inniskillin Cab Franc Icewine come in? The standard format is 375ml (half bottle), which is the industry norm for icewine due to the extremely low yields — a full vine may produce only a single glass worth of juice.

Is Inniskillin Cab Franc Icewine worth the price? Icewine commands premium pricing across the board because of labor-intensive harvesting, low yields, and weather-dependent production; Inniskillin positions as a benchmark producer within this category, and scores reaching 96 points from major critics reinforce its standing as strong value relative to other top-tier icewines.

Why Inniskillin Cab Franc Icewine?

Red icewine is a rarity in a category already defined by scarcity, and Inniskillin's Cabernet Franc bottling is one of its most distinctive. The absence of skin contact during fermentation — relying solely on pressing for color extraction — gives the wine a delicate ruby-amber tone that sets it apart visually and texturally from both white icewines and conventional red dessert wines. Consistent recognition from Wine Enthusiast (96 points), Robert Parker (94 points), and Decanter (95 points) across multiple vintages confirms this is not a novelty but a serious wine. As one of the original Ontario estate wineries, Inniskillin helped define what Canadian icewine could be, and this Cabernet Franc expression remains among the most compelling arguments for the category's legitimacy on the global stage.