Chateau Des Charmes N/V Brut Sparkling Wine - 89pts

Chateau Des Charmes N/V Brut Sparkling Wine (Niagara-on-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25.95 (750ml) or $15.95 (375ml)
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: December 7th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A traditional method Brut with fine, persistent beads, produced from Chardonnay and Pinto Noir grapes sourced from vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula by Chateau Des Charmes. Offers a nice balance between its tangy citrus and ripe, orchard fruit characters on the peaches'n'cream nose and the yeasty, biscuit-infused, slightly off-dry palate. Finish is lively and refreshing with lingering, steely minerality and crisp citrus. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Atelier Red - 84pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Atelier Red (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $14.95
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 4000 cases
Date Tasted: October 22nd, 2019
Tasting Notes: An easy-going, uncomplicated (or complex) blend of Gamay Noir, Pinot Noir, Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Merlot, which, despite the inclusion of Bordeaux varieties, tastes like a rustic, yet, smooth PTG (or passe-tout-grains) from Beaujolais. Though, nearly tannin-less, the Atelier Red does posses a vibrant finish, making it food-friendly, especially for stews or soups. Ready to go now. Drink now-2021.

- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Atelier White - 87pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Atelier White (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $14.95
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 1802 cases
Date Tasted: October 8th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A crisp, off-dry blend of Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Auxerrois (percentages withheld), the Atelier balances its residual sugar with plenty of mouth-watering, citrus and Asian pear acidity and flavours. Look for juicy, ripe melon notes and a touch of minerality and spice on the crowd pleasing, amuse-bouche friendly palate. Finish is short, but when paired with food, no one will notice. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2018 Cuvée D'Andrée Rosé - 86pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2018 Cuvée D'Andrée Rosé (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $16.95
Alcohol: 12.7%
Production: 508 cases
Date Tasted:  June 10th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A refreshing, Pinot Noir-based rosé with a crisp, citrus-y bitterness to the palate with mouth-watering acidity and both the flavour and texture of ripe, fleshy plums. Look for additional red berry and rhubarb aromas and flavours with a touch of herbs and honeycomb notes supporting. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Estate Bottled Pinot Noir - 87pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Estate Bottled Pinot Noir (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $16.95
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 3540 cases
Date Tasted: February 16th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A solid entry-level Pinot Noir with a cherry and raspberry fruit leading nose with complimentary earthy-oak supporting notes. The similarly flavoured dry palate follows offering additional layers of smoky herbs and juicy plum through to a moderate finish with a touch of lingering, bitter boysenberry acidity. Ready to go now. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2015 Vidal Icewine - 91pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2015 Vidal Icewine (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Sold out
Cost: $27.95 (200ml)
Alcohol: 9.5%
Date Tasted: December 20th, 2018

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. An extra year of bottle age has enhanced the golden-brassy hue of this unctuous beauty from Chateau Des Charmes. This low-alcohol, Vidal ice wine is bursting with honey-drenched, apricot and nectarine aromas and flavours. Fresh peach acidity tames the sweetness on the finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2018-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Vidal Icewine - 91pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Vidal Icewine (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and LCBO stores
Cost: $27.95 (200ml)
Alcohol: 9.5%
Production: 3665 cases
Date Tasted: November 28th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Imagine the aromas and flavours of honey-drenched, canned apricots and melons and you'll be ready to sip this tasty Vidal ice wine from Niagara's Chateau Des Charmes. Unctuous, sweet and long, with a touch of citrus acidity mid-palate to add some balance to the custard-y texture. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2015 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling - 89pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2015 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $18.95
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: August 21st, 2018

Tasting Notes: A touch more mellow and less intense than the excellent 2014 vintage, yet, very similar in profile with some front-loaded residual sugar and sweet melon notes floating above the familiar lime'n'mineral backbone. A touch of pear and citrus fruit flavours linger on the balanced, moderate finish. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Riesling - 88pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Riesling (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $14.95
Alcohol: 10.5%
Production: 479 cases
Date Tasted: July 17th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A lovely, nearly-colourless, subdued Riesling offering well-integrated, citrus, melon and orchard fruit on the delicate nose and the RS-kissed palate. Alcohol, overall sweetness and acid levels are (relatively) low and (most importantly) well balanced. Those looking for a bracing, in-your-face Riesling must look elsewhere. Ready to go now. Drink now-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Cabernet-Merlot - 86+pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Cabernet-Merlot (Niagara-on-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $15.95
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 2000 cases
Date Tasted: July 17th, 2018

Tasting Notes: When given time in the glass to breath, this otherwise Old World-leaning blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot opens-up nicely to reveal its fruity, New World innards with ripe, blackberry and red currant aromas on the oak and nutmeg scented nose and the rustic, dry palate. Moderate, slightly bitter finish showcases some nice, lingering spice notes. Could evolve a bit with another 1-2 years of bottle age. Drink 2019-2021.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Estate Bottled Sauvignon Blanc - 87pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Estate Bottled Sauvignon Blanc (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and LCBO stores
Cost: $15.95
Alcohol: 12.7%
Production: 7000 cases
Date Tasted: May 25th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Pleasantly stinky on the nose with a touch of asparagus and ammonia notes contributing some zing to the Asian pear, grass and stony, gooseberry aromas. Palate is well balanced with a touch of residual sugar contrasting the crisp apple and tangy citrus acidity and flavours. This platinum blond Sauvignon Blanc should make for a delicious sun quencher during the hotter months of the year (also known as 'Summer'). Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Estate Bottled Gamay Noir - 86pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Estate Bottled Gamay Noir (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $15.95
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 3010 cases
Date Tasted:  March 30th, 2018

Tasting Notes: An easy-drinking, low tannin and food friendly Gamay, perfect for your next turkey or pork tenderloin roast, with aromas and flavours of spiced-up blueberries, pomegranate, black plum and sweet earth notes. Acid is pleasantly perceptible but never over-powering or bright. Finish is a bit short. Drink now-2019.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay - 87pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay (Niagara-on-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and LCBO stores
Cost: $14.95 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 4823 cases
Date Tasted: March 9th, 2018

Tasting Notes: This full-ish bodied, barrel fermented Chardonnay offers great value in this price range for what's in the bottle: nice, green apple acidity enveloped by a toasty blanket of ripe melon and pear, baked lemon and Cracker Jack candied nut flavours. Moderate finish is mostly dry with a touch of lingering spice. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2014 Rosé Sparkling Wine - 87pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2014 Rosé Sparkling Wine (Niagara-on-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and LCBO stores
Cost: $32.95
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 750 cases
Date Tasted: November 5th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Delicate raspberry, raw honey and Angle Food cake aromas grace the nose of this traditional method, rosé Brut. Following is a (mostly) dry palate with medium bubbles, delicate strawberry and covert, spicy plum flavours. Finish is a bit short, but well balanced and refreshing. Drink now-2020+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2014 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling - 90pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2014 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $18.95
Alcohol: 12.4%
Production: 1591 cases
Date Tasted: October 16th, 2017

Tasting Notes: The 2014 edition of the Old Vines Riesling is decidedly sweeter than previous vintages, clocking in at 10.4g/l of residual sugar, making a welcomed and beautifully balanced counter to the lime and mineral backbone always present in this wine. 

Honeycomb and honeydew aromas and flavours mingle with pear and apple notes with melon and citrus acidity keeping the finish fresh and light where a touch of lime rind lingers. Delightful and very well priced. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2015 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay - 86pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2015 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay (Niagara-on-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and LCBO stores
Cost: $14.95 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 2554 cases
Date Tasted: April 30th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A consistently well-made, straight-forward Chardonnay, priced just under $15 with a good balance between its many facets: orchard'n'melon fruit flavours, oak contact, green apple acidity and lees'n'cream malolactic contact. A touch of spice lingers briefly on the short(ish) finish. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2015 Cabernet Franc - 87pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2015 Cabernet Franc (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $15.95 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 2603 cases
Date Tasted: April 28th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Equal parts earthy and fruity on the vibrant nose and the rounded palate with aromas and flavours of dark berries, charcoal, licorice-mint, herbs, balsamic reduction, pepper and sweet, black cherries. Ready to go now. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes N/V Brut Sparkling Wine - 88pts

Chateau Des Charmes N/V Brut Sparkling Wine (Niagara-on-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $23.95
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: March 5th, 2017

Tasting Notes: New label, same consistent execution. A traditional method Brut with fine, persistent beads, produced from Chardonnay and Pinto Noir grapes sourced from vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula by Chateau Des Charmes. Offers a nice balance between its tangy citrus and ripe fruit characters on the peaches'n'cream nose and the yeasty, brioche-infused, off-dry palate. Finish is lively and refreshing with lingering minerality and citrus rind notes. 

Lacks the depth and refinement of the more revered sparkling wines of the Peninsula, yet, at $24, you won't find better value in the market. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2011 'Old Vines' Pinot Noir - 87pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2011 'Old Vines' Pinot Noir (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO Vintages stores
Cost: $19.95
Alcohol: 13.2%
Production: 867 cases
Date Tasted: October 21st, 2016

Tasting Notes: At 5 years of age, we're already dealing with a mature Pinot Noir sourced from the oldest Pinot Noir vines in the Chateau Des Charmes vineyards. Over-ripe strawberry and tart huckleberry fruit are supported by layers of savoury notes of earthy, forrest floor, mineral, spice and oak. A decidedly Old World style with a long finish with lingering acidity and slightly bitter, dusty tannins. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2012 Rosé Sparkling Wine - 88pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2012 Rosé Sparkling Wine (Niagara-on-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and LCBO stores
Cost: $29.95
Alcohol: 12.4%
Production: 250 cases
Date Tasted: October 19th, 2016

Tasting Notes: This sparkling rosé, made in the traditional method, is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser at your next celebration with its delicious combination of red berry fruit, honeycomb, melon, vanilla-icing and baked brioche aromas and flavours. Palate is both lively and smooth with some residual sugar, mineral and plump, yeasty notes. The finish is crisp and satisfying. Drink now-2018+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca