2025 Burnt Ship Bay Cabernet Merlot | 90+pts

90+pts Carl’s Wine Club

This is a thoroughly enjoyable wine for just around $16. Finding this level of quality at such an approachable price point is becoming increasingly difficult, not only for Canadian wines, but any wines in general. A tip of the cap to Burnt Ship Bay for delivering such outstanding value!

The Cabernet and Merlot are well blended, and coming together at an early stage, creating a versatile, crowd-pleasing wine that will appeal to a wide range of palates.

On the nose, a subtle savoury character complements pretty aromas of red cherry, raspberry, a touch of cassis, dark chocolate, and liquorice.

On the palate, the wine is well balanced, with great lift and decent complexity. The tannins are not harsh, which I would expect for a 2025 red. That means this wine is made for drinking young. Flavours of cassis, black cherry, and ripe raspberry, with notes of sweet tobacco leaf, add depth and complexity.

The finish is particularly impressive for the price point, offering lingering notes of warm Christmas spices that bring a lovely sense of richness and character.

90+ points, Carl's Wine Club 

Ontario VQA Niagara Peninsula

60% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot

Dry Wine | 13.5% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2032

Pairings: meatlover pizza, spaghetti Bolognese