Culmina Winery owner, Don Triggs is no stranger to the really big wine industry business.  No, really.  I’m serious; as one half of the former Jackson-Triggs group (yes, that Jackson-Triggs), with his business partner, Don Triggs built and sold Vincor.

What is Vincor?  In 2000, it was selling one of every 4.5 bottles of wine in Canada – including not only Canadian labels Iniskillin, See Ya Later Ranch, Sumac Ridge and Jackson-Triggs, but also huge international brands such as Kim Crawford, Hogue Cellars, Toasted Head and Kumala.

Eventually it became the 4th largest wine company in North America and at its height, it was the 7th largest in the world.  That was before the hostile takeover by global behemoth Constellation – which owns about one of every three major wine, beer and spirits labels sold on the planet.

So, all that to say there is a lot of money behind Culmina.  And that’s good for them and their French winemakers, because we all know one needs a large fortune to make a smaller one in the wine industry.

This is the flagship red from Triggs’ latest venture.  On the eyes, it’s a medium ruby red with aromas of raspberry, blackberry and ripe cherry, with green tobacco and baking spice.

The palate is dry with lightly grippy tannins and slightly hot alcohol which unwound as the wine opened up.  Flavours show blackberry and cassis with glove leather and nutmeg.

This is a WSET Good plus wine produced with estate grown Cabernet Franc (40), Merlot (36), and Cabernet Sauvignon (24).