Look, I rarely review ciders, I've done it a few times in the past (Twin Pines comes to mind), but really what can you say about something that's supposed to taste like apples and does. But sometimes one comes along that has that little bit extra and deserves a shout out. The 80X Wine Company (a virtual project in Niagara) wants to be known for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rosé, and they've done an admirable job with all three, but if they don't watch out cider will be their calling card. This one is an unintentional bomb (in a good way). It was supposed to be a nod to those funky Normandy, France ciders, but instead they ended up with one of the best tasting ciders in the province. Great intensity of apple taste and smell with a long finish. The promised “funk” is so subtle (if even there), that it adds a layer of drinkability that is unmatched in many ciders that are made in Ontario - but the apple and the acidity pack a real punch of gulpable flavour, it's a real sipping cider that may turn into something quaffable the more you drink it. And at 9% a few goes down quite easy. The label mentions some pears, so maybe that's the secret, but I'm not a cider-maker I just drink the stuff and this one's damn good. Priced $22.00 / 750ml - Rating: ****+