Two Sisters Stone Eagle 2016

Stone Eagle is the top drop from Two Sisters, in this vintage a blend of 34% merlot, 34% cabernet franc and 32% cabernet sauvignon grown in the estate vineyard in the Niagara River appellation where proximity to the river and Lake Ontario lengthens the growing season for these later ripening varieties. It was also a hot year. It is indeed one of the richest reds produced in Niagara, with a lifted ripe nose blackcurrant/black cherry, herbs, cedar, milk chocolate and vanillin from 31 months ageing in French and American (10%) oak. It is full bodied, lush, smooth and quite dense, with finely honed tannin. A touch of green on the finish that might not appeal to Napa cab drinkers, but is right on point for Niagara and Bordeaux. Tannins are well balanced and drying but not austere. Excellent to outstanding length. Best 2022 to 2030. Score – 93. (David Lawrason, winealign.com, Dec. 10, 2020)