It has been a little while since I visited Megalomaniac. I still maintain that Frank Cabernet is one of the best value wines in the province. I did need to make time to stop by as many of the 2012 wines have been released. It should also be noted that they have a new winemaker in Sebastien Jacquey, who comes to Megalomaniac from Le Clos Jordanne.
Bubblehead – $27.95 – **** – This wine is NV but it would seem the currant bottles are a little darker pink that I remember. The nose has a bit of funk to it, but there is nice Cherry and Cranberry coming out of the glass. There is a hint of sweetness that tries to take hold of the back of your tongue, but the bright crisp acidity keeps the palate clean and refreshed.
2015 Contrarian (Chardonnay Musqué) – **** – Musqué is something I wish we had more of coming from NIagara. It’s less potent and floral than Gewurztraminer, but it’s still very food friendly. There are floral aromas of lily and white flowers. There is a lot of fruit in this wine mixed in with all the flowers. You will find Pineapples and Grapefruit. The finish is crisp and clean with nice acidity.
2012 Frank Cabernet – $24.95 – ****+ – Everything about this wine is great right now. There is cocoa and spice over blackberry and plum. There is a hint of savory to this wine but it’s not bell pepper like you might expect from Franc it’s leaning more towards spearmint or eucalyptus. The tannin is soft on this wine and it’s drinking great right now, but this is the sort of wine that you could use to start building a cellar. This could age for 3-6 years, but at this price point I’m not sure I’ll have the patience to hold onto a few bottles.
2012 Bravado – $24.95 – ****+ – Wow! This wine is for Cabernet Suavignon doubters out there. The nose is loaded with fruit – you get Raspberry, Blackberry, Black Currant and hints of Blueberry. There are nice hints of woodsmoke that work their way out of the glass on the nose and also on the finish. This is the best Cabernet Sauvignon at this price point in the province right now, and while it will age for 3-6 years in a cellar I plan on enjoying this wine young with grilled beef for the foreseeable future.
