Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Aligoté -86pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Aligoté (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $15.95
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 1949 cases
Date Tasted: October 20th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A well-priced, citrus-scented Aligoté (Burgundy's other white grape) with food-friendly acidity and dryness. Look for pear, lemon drop, grapefruit, ginger and melon aromas and flavours. Pair with hard cheeses. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2007 Old Vines Pinot Noir - 88pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2007 Old Vines Pinot Noir (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO Vintages stores
Cost: $18.95
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 1640 cases
Date Tasted: April 7th, 2012

Tasting Notes: At 5 years of age, the generous nose of this Old Vines Pinot Noir has developed a wide spectrum of earth and sweet red fruit aromas with spicy, toasted oak adding depth and warmth. The dry palate follows with mushroom and forest floor earthiness supported by cherry and tomato flavours leading to a long, balanced finish with lingering rhubarb and waxy notes. This is a very old world style presentation of Pinot Noir with a focus on food pairing and terroir characters. The label's suggested match is wild mushroom risotto and it would be hard to argue with that, but consider game in a fruity butter sauce as well to showcase the cherry flavours. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Tawse Winery 2009 Sketches of Niagara Riesling - 90pts

Tawse Winery 2009 Sketches of Niagara Riesling (Niagara Peninsula) Ontario

Availability: Limited. Look for 2010 release
Cost: $17.95
Alcohol: 10%
Date Tasted: February 29th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A beautifully simplistic and exquisitely well balanced Riesling that shows like a fine, off-dry German export with a nice bite of acid to off-set the opulent lemon/lime and asian pear sweetness. Has great appeal for spicy food pairing. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Hillebrand Winery 2010 Trius Cabernet Franc - 87pts

Hillebrand Winery 2010 Trius Cabernet Franc (Niagara Peninsula) Ontario

Availability: BCLDB Stores and direct from the winery here
Cost: $14.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: January 16th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The Trius brand from Hillebrand Winery offers impressive value with varietal and blends produced from Niagara Peninsula fruit. This Cabernet Franc from the hot and dry 2010 vintage makes a welcomed foray into the BC market offering some classic Franc funkiness on the blueberry and violet nose and the dry, tart and oaky palate. Not overly complex, but tasty and satisfying with good concentration and moderately intense tannins. The finish is long and balanced with lingering clove spice and a touch of minerality. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2008 Estate Bottled Pinot Noir - 86pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2008 Estate Bottled Pinot Noir (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $14.55
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 1847 cases
Date Tasted: December 23rd, 2011

Tasting Notes: Think you need to try 100s of lesser-known red Burgundy to find the right bargain-priced, Old World styled, Pinot Noir? Think again. his straight-forward and pleasing Pinot is sourced from multiple winery run vineyards around the St. David's Bench escarpment. Clear, opaque, dark purple in colour, this masculine Pinot offers a medium intense, red fruit nose heavily influenced by the oak treatment and regional mineral character. The bone-dry palate follows with slightly course tannins, mouth cleansing acidity and lingering mineral and oak flavours on the moderate finish. Could use a touch more sugar to balance the acid and tannins, yet, the finished wine stays true to the winery's Old World roots. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Norman Hardie 2009 Unfiltered County Pinot Noir - 88pts

Norman Hardie 2009 Unfiltered County Pinot Noir (Prince Edward County) Ontario 
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: September 10th, 2011

Tasting Notes: A muted, masculine nose of oak, stewed raspberry and vanilla aromas with a fine vein of sweetness. The dry, medium-intense palate follows with an Old World expression of minerals and oak with red fruit characters playing second fiddle. A light mouth feel with bright cranberry tartness, light tannins and lingering raspberry seed flavour on the moderate finish. Drink 2011-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2007 St. David's Bench Vineyard Cabernet Franc - 90+pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2007 St. David's Bench Vineyard Cabernet Franc (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO Vintages stores
Cost: $25.95
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 495 cases produced, 56 cases released through Vintages
Date Tasted: July 23rd, 2011

Tasting Notes: This single-vineyard Cabernet Franc from Chateau Des Charmes falls into the "big funky nose" category of wines produced from the most charismatic of the Bordeaux varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful, Merlot is agreeable, Petit Verdot is spicy and Malbec is just a candied version of Merlot. Leaving Cabernet Franc to be the subtle charmer that seduces you with perfumed aromas of rose petals and sweet cheeses and with bold, unique flavours of smoky boysenberry and unripe blackberry. All of these characters can be found in the St. David's Bench Cabernet Franc which delivers a terroir driven expression of the varietal wrapped in a blanket of toasted oak. Alcohol is well managed at 13.5% with ripe fruit and tannins from the stellar 2007 growing season.

Still tasting youthful at the age of 4 with more development to come. Pair with a traditional Sunday roast with all the fixin's. Drink 2011-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2008 St. David's Bench Vineyard Gewurztraminer - 89pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2008 St. David's Bench Vineyard Gewurztraminer (St. David's Bench Vineyard) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Available direct from the winery here and at select LCBO Vintages stores
Cost: $19.95
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 540 cases produced, 56 cases released to Vintages
Date Tasted: July 23rd, 2011

Tasting Notes: An excellent, focused, single-vineyard Gewurztraminer offering classic peach, apricot and lychee fruit characters with a juicy, full-bodied and expressive mouth feel. With now 3 years of age, look for this "Goo" to stand-out from current releases with sultry, maturing aromas and flavours of cashew nuts, stewed pears and fruitcake spice. Mineral notes compliment the feminine elements of this wine and contrast the residual sugar nicely. The finish is very long and balanced with lingering lemon-lime tartness. Enjoy this wine on its own or with your favourite sushi. Drink 2011-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Lailey Vineyard 2006 Cabernet Franc - 87pts

Lailey Vineyard 2006 Cabernet Franc (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25.20
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: August 1st, 2010

Tasting Notes: With an intense nose of barnyard, coffee, cured meats, mint, cherry and cedar aromas, there is plenty to appreciate when quaffing this Cabernet Franc middleweight from Niagara-on-the-Lake producer Lailey Vineyard. The dry palate offers similar flavours with added fruit notes from blueberries and plums. Medium-bodied with a fruitiness in the mouth and medium tannins. The finish is long, but what lingers is a disjointed bitterness when drunk on its own and, thankfully, is masked when paired with food.

The Lailey Cabernet Franc delivers good concentration and decent complexity for the price but can't quite compete head-to-head with the varietal releases from Stratus and Tawse. Pair with roasted red meats and turkey. Drink 2010-2012.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010 IconWines.ca

Le Clos Jordanne Estate Wines 2007 Village Reserve Chardonnay - 88pts

Le Clos Jordanne Estate Wines 2007 Village Reserve Chardonnay (Vinemount Ridge) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from winery here. Select LCBO stores and online retailers in the UK
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: December 1st, 2010

Tasting Notes: The Village Reserve is a blend of Chardonnay grapes grown on multiple vineyard sites around the Jordan area of the Niagara Peninsula. Being the winery's entry-level Chardonnay its goal should be to entice the buyer to seek out the their more intricate (and expensive) wines by showcasing the house style and quality. This it does very well.

A well-balanced, Burgundian recipe of oak, fruit on the edge of ripeness, silky textures and minerality. This is a good quality Chardonnay that is drinking beautifully now and will last another few years. If you're intrigued about the hype that Le Clos Jordanne has generated and want to taste for yourself, this is a good wine to start with. Drink 2010-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010 IconWines.ca

Le Clos Jordanne Estate Wines 2007 Village Reserve Pinot Noir - 87pts

Le Clos Jordanne Estate Wines 2007 Village Reserve Pinot Noir (Vinemount Ridge) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: December 2nd, 2010

Tasting Notes: This entry-level Pinot Noir from neo-Burgundian winery Le Clos Jordanne of the Niagara Peninsula offers a good assemblage of oak, earth and raspberry characters on the nose and palate. Chalky textured with a light-to-medium body, the wine has decent tannin structure paired with sharp acidity. The result is a wine who's balance is a bit off. Approachable with decanting, yet drinking a bit tight still despite three years of aging. I recommend cellaring another six months before opening. Drink mid-2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010 IconWines.ca

Château des Charmes 2006 Paul Bosc Vineyard Chardonnay - 88pts

Château des Charmes 2006 Paul Bosc Vineyard Chardonnay (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $21.95
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 495 cases
Date Tasted: August 6th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Château des Charmes produces two single-vineyard Chardonnays. The Paul Bosc Vineyard Chardonnay, from a site across the road from the home vineyard (and closer to the lake), is the cooler, more masculine of the two.

Barrel fermented, the wine spends one year in French Oak "sur lie" and as a result has some of the leesy and autolytic notes one would expect. However, it is the stonefruit and mineral qualities that characterize this wine. Concentrated grapefruit and green apple notes are also present with crisp acidity.

When served with lobster risotto, this wine brought the mineral flavours of the lobster to the forefront. Drink 2010-2012.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Château des Charmes 2008 Gamay Droit - 87pts

Château des Charmes 2008 Gamay Droit (Niagara-on-the-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $16.95
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 2584 cases
Date Tasted: July 31st, 2010

Tasting Notes: The story behind this "Gamay Droit" is one of persistence and patience. In short, Chateau des Charmes founder has long been experimenting with varietal clones, crosses and hybrids in his Niagara-on-the-Lake winery. In 1982 he discovered a particularly successful, and upright ("droit"), Gamay Noir plant in his St. David's bench vineyard. The plant was propagated and an entire block of vines thrive today having been born from this one mutated plant all those years ago. The unique, and patented, vine produces an equally unique wine. A spicy-Gamay-meets-mineral-Pinot Noir sort of combo.

Bright cherry and spicy pepper aromas will remind you of youthful Beaujolais wines. The dry, medium-bodied palate follows with good continuity of flavours with added mineral and earthy notes. This is a quality, easy-drinking wine that will be a great match for roasted turkey dinners. Drink 2010-2012.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Wildass Wines 2006 White - 88pts

Wildass Wines 2006 White (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from winery here (Stratus). LCBO Vintages
Cost: $19.95
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: August 7th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Wildass is the second label produced by (and at) Stratus Vineyards in Niagara-On-The-Lake. Four wines are produced, a Riesling, a red blend, a rosé and this white blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling.

Smooth and silky, a slightly oily texture in the mouth with complex aromas and flavours of orchard fruits, ginger, nectarine, caramel creams and baked apples. The main character of the wine is derived from the oak-aged Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc with the other varieties adding extra notes of tropical and citrus fruits. Excellent value for the level of complexity on offer. Drink 2010-2012.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Stratus Vineyards 2006 White - 92.5pts

Stratus Vineyards 2006 White (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ont

Availability: Direct from winery (shipping available)

Cost: $44

Alcohol: 13.5%

Date Tasted: March 13th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Candied apricots dominate the high intensity nose whose concentration of fruit and floral aromas rival those of a top quality ice wine. This superb white blend form Niagara-On-The-Lake producer Stratus Vineyards is a compelling mix of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Semillon and Viognier, all estate grown. The winery doesn't list the quantities of each but my guess is that stainless steel Sauvignon Blanc and new(ish) oak Chardonnay contribute the most as you get great aromas and flavours from both.

The other varietals add layers of complexity of which this wine has in abundance. It will open up and evolve in the glass, if you take your time with it and I suggest you do. Enjoy on its own or with a simple white sauce pasta or fish course. Drink now through 2014-15.

The winery offers futures of their flagship Red and White blends for purchase. The 2007 vintage will be released this Spring. To learn more, go to http://www.stratuswines.com/
 - Liam Carrier

Ratings:
LC: 92
HC: 93

Chateau Des Charmes 2008 Riesling - 86pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2008 Riesling (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ont

Availability: Direct from winery. LCBO stores
Cost: $12.49
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: January 30th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Sweet lychee fruit followed by lemon citrus and earthy minerality with a hint of waxy lipstick are the aromas we got when enjoying this solid and pleasing, dry Riesling from Niagara-On-The-Lake producer Chateau Des Charmes. The medium-bodied palate offers fruit flavours of apricots and citrus but it is a big, masculine minerality which dominates. This pale-straw coloured Riesling is cool customer with great mouth feel, crisp acidity, a lingering finish and is very easy drinking.

At $12.49, this wine is an absolute steal. Make this your go-to standard for the hot summer months of 2010 when you want to forsake all sweet wines. BC Residents: Ask your local BCLDB store to order it in for you.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Chateau des Charmes 2007 Late Harvest Riesling - 88pts

Chateau des Charmes 2007 Late Harvest Riesling (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ont

Availability: Direct from winery, LCBO

Cost: $21.95

Alcohol: 10.5%

Date Tasted: February 6th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Pale straw in appearance, this wonderfully sweet wine from Niagara-On-The-Lake producer Chateau des Charmes makes a lovely desert or cheese course companion without busting your budget. Fruit flavours abound on the palate and nose with mineral notes, while a long finish leaves your mouth pleased and satisfied.

On the nose you will find medium-plus intense aromas of lychee, slate, pear and rubber notes until the wine has a chance to breath. The palate offers charming sweetness with flavours of apricot, lychee, pear and green-apple tartness. Good acidity helps cut the sugar and creates a nice balanced wine. Lacks the complexity and concentration of a high-quality (and high-priced) ice wine, but for the price I prefer this wine. Ready to drink now but will develop further in the bottle over the next 2-3 years.
- Liam Carrier

Inniskillin 2007 Pinot Noir - 84pts

Inniskillin 2007 Varietal Series Pinot Noir (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ont

Availability: BCLDB stores, LCBO stores

Cost: $17.99 (BC)

Alcohol: 12.5%

Date Tasted: January 2nd, 2010

Tasting Notes: This is a surprisingly muted Pinot Noir from the outstanding Niagara vintage of 2007. Unoaked with malolactic fermentation and ageing in stainless steel, this wine should offer so much more in the intensity of fruit aromas and flavours but fails to deliver. However, it does improve drastically with food where flavours of raspberries, plums and vanilla show on the palate. The nose offers light aromas of red berries, nibs and floral notes. Drink now. - LC

UPC 620654030019

Chateau Des Charmes 2007 Cabernet Franc - 87pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2007 Cabernet Franc (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ont

Availability: BCLDB stores, LCBO stores, Direct from winery

Cost: $18.99 (BC) $13.95 (Ont)

Alcohol: 13%

Date Tasted: December 31st, 2009

Tasting Notes: This dark ruby charmer from Niagara producer Chateau Des Charmes makes debut its into the BC market and offers a pleasant alternative for lovers of BC Cabernet Franc. More earthy and mineral than its BC cousins, this Cab Franc offers medium-intense aromas of dark berries, wet stone, forest floor with subtle pungent cheese notes.

The aromas continue on to the medium-plus bodied palate, adding a touch of cooking spice to the flavours. High tannins and medium-plus acidity could allow this wine another year of improving in your cellar but this is not necessary. Drink now through 2012. - LC

Tawse 2008 Chardonnay Musque - 87pts

Tawse 2008 Chardonnay Musque (Twenty Mile Bench) Ontario.

Decanted: 0 hrs

Cost: $22.00 (Direct from winery)

Tasting Notes: I beleive this vinatge may be sold out as I wasn't able to find it on the Tawse website. This was a lovely unoaked Chardonnay from an area of Canada that is built to grow the grape. The Nose had hints of green apple and grapefruit. the palate was citrus and honey with some minerality that continued into the finish. This Chard was crisp clean and fresh.

This went down very nice while reading Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers on the beach after shopping in Huntsville and a canoe ride around the lake. How much more Ontario can you get!! HC