Leah Spooner-Wine.com, 2023 Runway Rosé (94 points): From grape to bottle, this rosé that’s comprised of 94% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Black Bank Hill estate vineyards within the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation of the Niagara Peninsula. A 48 hour skin-maceration paints a ruby-light-trap display that is enough to widen one’s eyes on colour alone. This wine offers exactly what you would expect - zingy cherry and white cranberry, touched with whispers of savoury dried herbs and white pepper. It boasts depth and an energetic edge straight thru to the finish. A perfect pairing for a herb-crusted pork roast. Drink now. (Tasted Jan 2025)
Tony Aspler, The Wine Guy, 2023 Runway Rosé (88 Points): 94% Cabernet Franc 6% Cabernet Sauvignon). Neon Bright pink in colour; minerally, cherry bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, fresh, raspberry, pomegranate and cherry flavours. Elegant, good length. (Tasted December 2024)
Treve Ring, Gismondi on Wine, 2023 Runway Rosé (88 Points): Established by vintner Taylor Emerson in 2017, Black Bank Hill is focused on single vineyard wines from the Niagara Escarpment. Runway Rosé, named for the 1918 Beamsville Aerodrome and runway that preceded the vineyard, blends 94% cabernet franc with 6% cabernet sauvignon, each destemmed and given 48 hours skin contact prior to cofermenting in stainless with no MLF. Pouring a deep cherry hue, this has a bump of RS (6 g/L) to offset the tart rhubarb and ringing cranberry acidity. Cherry, herbal raspberry is scented with tea-tinged tannins across a glossy, slick core to a brief finish. Try this with Indian food. (Tasted February 2025)
Rick Vansickle, Wines in Niagara, 2023 Runway Rosé (90 Points): The Runway Rosé is a blend of estate Cabernet Franc (94%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (6%) that was bottled in March 2024. Emerson and McLean prefer to bottle age their rosés before releasing them to promote texture on the palate. It shows a bright pink colour in the glass with a nose of ripe Morello cherries, brambly raspberries, rhubarb, a touch of blackberry/cassis, watermelon and herbs. It’s quite expressive on a silky-smooth palate with ripe red berries, cran-cherries, cassis, herbs, subtle sweetness and electric acidity keeping it fresh and lively on the finish. (Tasted March 2025)
