Okay, so maybe my worst title ever, but with the temps hovering around freezing lately, the brain is a bit rusty. That said, tonight’s wine hails from Ste. Chapelle Winery in Caldwell, Idaho. Located in one of America’s newest AVA’s, the Snake River Valley Wine Region is home to more than a dozen wineries. Founded in 1976, Ste. Chapelle is owned by Ascentia Wine Estates (Gary Farrell, Geyser Peak, and Buena Vista to name a few) and is producing approximately 155,000 cases of award-winning wine annually.
Synonymous with cold weather, tonight’s wine is a 2006 Cabernet Franc Ice Wine. Idaho provides ideal conditions for ice wine production; sufficient warmth to ripen the grapes and cold enough weather right after harvest to freeze them on the vine. Producing ice wines since 1998, Ste. Chapelle has an impressive track record for this dessert wine, winning several “Best of Class” and “Best of Show” honors. Also from their Winemaker Series, Ste. Chapelle produces a Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc ice wine.
With its brilliant red color and rich flavors, the ice wine seduces with red fruit aromas on the nose, strawberries and raspberries on the palate and a long, smooth finish. A tasty wine for a chilly day. Cheers!
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..rolling in my 5.0! 🙂
This wine looks pretty cool… if nothing else, something different to try!
Cheers!
Sounds very good Brian. One of my top dessert wines is the Cabernet Franc ice wine by Inniskillin; that wine goes for over $70, but worth every drop for a special occasion. What does this wine go for? Nice post, bro.
This sounds like a great wine. Like Dezel, I really enjoy the Inniskillin Cab Franc ice wine. If this is competitively priced, I may have to hunt for it. Since Ste. Chappelle is owned by a big conglomerate, hopefully they can get the wine into wide distribution.
Being from Indiana, I’m glad I stumbled across this site. Definitely one for the RSS reader.
Hi Dezel,
My apologies, $19.95. I tried to locate online with little success. I “believe” it is only sold at the winery but will follow-up with the winery. Cheers!
Thanks Brian, I will have to try that wine because if it comes close to the quality delivered in the Inniskillin Cab Franc I’m getting a case. I must thank Bill from Wine for Newbies because he is the one who turned me on to the Inniskillin Cab Franc – “Thanks Bill!” ~ I may be down a few dollars, but the tasting experience was memorable 🙂
I absolutely LOVE this wine, it was quite enjoyable. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it had the “wow” factor!
Great review too. My first Cabernet Franc Ice Wine and it won’t be my last!
Hi Bill
Thank you for your readership and kind words! The Inniskillin is unmatched in quality and unfortunately price. A nice splurge every now and then for the “special” occasion. As for the Ste. Chapelle version, for the price, it’s a delicious wine to share with friends and family. I reached out to my contact and will send a follow up email to you and Dezel with her information in case you’re interested. Cheers!
Hi Bailey,
Thank you for stopping by! It’s definitely a great QPR wine and one that is a conversation starter with friends and family. I can’t wait to sample their other ice wines. Cheers!
Are they selling that in a 750ml?
Hi Heather,
Unfortunately, the Cab Franc Ice Wine (273 cases produced) is only sold in the 375ml format. All of their Ice Wines retail for $19.95. If you’re interested customers can call toll free at 877-783-2427 or the tasting room at 208-453-7843 (the web store isn’t setup yet). Cheers!
You’ll have to come out and take a tour of the whole Sunny Slope. The view from many of our tasting rooms is excellent. The folks are friendly and people on the tour seem to love the wine. Idaho has a lot more to offer than great potatoes. Our winemakers go to great pains to battle the weeds and birds to create great wines. Love the blog. Keep up the good work!
Cheers and Good Cheer
George
Idaho Winery Tours