# Speck Brothers Family Tree "The Padre" Cabernet - Merlot (2020)

- **Producer:** Henry of Pelham
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
- **Region:** Niagara Peninsula, Canada
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €13
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, blackberry, strawberry, vanilla, smoke, cedar, tobacco

## About this wine

Speck Brothers Family Tree 'The Padré' Cabernet - Merlot is produced by Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery, located in Ontario's Niagara Peninsula. The wine is named in honor of the Speck brothers' late father, Paul Speck Sr., who served as a Roman Catholic priest before leaving the order to marry and eventually establish the family winery in 1984. Today, the estate is managed by his three sons: Paul, Matthew, and Daniel. While the winery's Estate tier focuses on structured, Old World styles, the Family Tree series is crafted to celebrate their unique family history through approachable, fruit-forward, and highly engaging New World wines.

## Interesting facts

- Named 'The Padré' to honor the Speck brothers' father, Paul Speck Sr., who served as a Roman Catholic priest before marrying.
- The wine is aged for 16 months in a precise blend of 60% French and 40% American oak barrels.
- Henry of Pelham's vineyards are officially Sustainable Winemaking Ontario Certified.

## Food pairing

This medium-bodied red blend balances juicy acidity with smooth tannins and subtle oak spice. The acidity cuts through rich, fatty meats and tomato-based pasta sauces, while the moderate tannins complement grilled proteins without overpowering them.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for this Cabernet-Merlot blend focuses on preserving vibrant primary fruit while integrating structured oak complexity. The grapes undergo temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 16 months in a carefully selected barrel program consisting of 60% French oak and 40% American oak, utilizing a combination of new and seasoned barrels to achieve a balanced, smooth profile.