“The 2019 Cabernet Franc Icewine comes in with 265 grams of residual sugar, 9.6 of total acidity and 9.5% alcohol. This was bottled in January of 2021. This is probably the most distinctive of the winery's offerings because of that Cabernet Franc base. You won't mistake it for anything else—the pink-red color will give you a heads up before you see the label or taste it. Yes, you can tell on tasting it too—there are hints of herbs and a touch of charred green veggies, even if mostly subdued by the ice wine process and the sugar, to go with the typical unctuousness of the brand. I really liked the difference this year, as this showed off its personality as well as some of its freshness.”

“The 2018 Vidal Icewine comes in with 245 grams of residual sugar, 10.5 of total acidity and 9.5% alcohol. An early harvest began on December 14 and continued for several consecutive days. With its typical peach and apricot nuances, this shows off strong flavors and a lot of sugar, but it does have some concept of balance as well. In fact, this is a bit lighter and brighter in perception than its 2019 sibling this report, although that may also be because this is a year older. I think the 2018 is a hair better in some ways, but it's pretty close, and we'll see how they stack up over the years. They are both very well done, with the winery maintaining a consistent style over different vintages.”

“The 2019 Riesling Icewine comes in with 244 grams of residual sugar, 12.5 of total acidity and 9.6% alcohol. This is a bit pricier, but it would be my pick for best of the Inniskillin group. As lovely as the Vidal wines are, this is just a better grape. Rich but balanced nonetheless, it shows off its purity of aromatics and flavors to go with the unctuous texture. The peaches and apricots are obvious, as they tend to be on wines like this. Overall, this is super. It is a full-on dessert wine. Don't drink this (or any of them) too warm. The price references a half bottle.”

“The 2019 Vidal Icewine comes in with 250 grams of residual sugar, 9.79 of total acidity and 9.5% alcohol. This was bottled in July 2020, the only bottling for this wine this year. The richest of the Vidal ice wines this issue, although only by a hair, this is intensely flavored and rather unctuous. As with its 2018 sibling, this has typical peach and apricot nuances. It shows off a lot of sugar. Part of that extra richness over the 2018 may be the perception created by this being a year younger, to be sure. For today, I like the balance on the 2018 better and give that the nod. This might well catch up in time. The difference between the two is not particularly great, despite rather different vintages.”

“The 2018 Gold Vidal Icewine was fermented for about three weeks in new French oak and then aged for another three months in French oak. It comes in with 234 grams of residual sugar, 10.5 of total acidity and 9.5% alcohol. On paper, this should be brighter and fresher than the 2018 unoaked ice wine, but the oak flattens it out. The wood gives it a lusher and richer texture but subdues both the fruit and whatever freshness it had. That's somewhat deceptive, as the acidity is still there, but the perceptible balance certainly changes. This just seems to be more on the stolid and brooding side. On the one hand, that means it never seems to go over the top in unctuousness, but on the other hand, the flavors are rather submerged. I'd personally rather have any of the unoaked versions, but reasonable minds might differ.”