Treve Ring, Gismondi on Wine, February, 2025 (91 Points) Established by vintner Taylor Emerson in 2017, Black Bank Hill is focused on single vineyard wines from the Niagara Escarpment. This is from their estate vineyard, and clones clones 214 and 327. The fruit was destemmed and lightly crushed prior to a native ferment and 20 months rest in used and neutral French oak barrels. It was bottled unfiltered and unfined. Fragrant black cherry, wild blackberries, black plums are heightened by a bright, stony minerality, and framed with finely furry tannins, guiding this medium red to a lingering finish. Nice depth and complexity here.(Tasted February, 2025)
Matt Steves, Quercus Vino, (94 points)
Black Bank Hill Cabernet Franc 2022 from Lincoln Lakeshore VQA is a wine that demonstrates remarkable complexity, balance, and the distinctive flinty character from its Niagara terroir. On the nose, this wine opens with an intriguing mix of dark fruit aromas—plum, raspberry, and a touch of blueberry turnover—mingling beautifully with delicate floral notes, Earl Grey tea, alongside a flinty minerality and the earthy sweetness of roasted beets. These aromas combine to create a nuanced and multi-layered bouquet that invites deep exploration. On the palate, elegant and beautifully composed. Medium to full-bodied, it reveals a repeating pattern of dusty plum, raspberry, black tea, and graphite, which carry through from the nose with great persistence. The balance between fruit, structure, and acidity is impressive. Proprietor/vintner Taylor Emmerson and winemaker Jonathan McLean have beautifully crafted a wine that is sophisticated, complex, yet so approachable. Fine, ripe tannins frame the wine’s complexity, offering a smooth yet substantial mouthfeel. The acidity adds freshness, while the wine’s rich fruit and savory depth linger on a long, pleasant finish. For those seeking a nuanced, terroir-driven wine, Black Bank Hill Cabernet Franc 2022 offers an exciting opportunity to experience the potential of this region and how big reds can shine in Niagara. Its deep, complex flavors and structured elegance make it a perfect candidate for medium-term cellaring, though its current expression is perfectly primed for enjoyment as soon as it’s released in late March/early spring 2025.
Black Bank Hill Cabernet Franc 2022 is a stellar example of Niagara Cabernet Franc, offering a complex mix of fruit, savory notes, and minerality. At $40 a bottle, this wine delivers great value for collectors and enthusiasts alike, offering both immediate enjoyment and medium-term aging potential. (Tasted March, 2025)
Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca
