2015 Chateau des Charmes Cabernet Franc – **** – This was tasted in early February 2017, I need to point this out because when I opened this bottle the tannin was firm and grippy the whole way down. I don’t expect this to last for too long, but for a bottle from the general list this will be essential drinking as long as it’s on the shelf. The end of the growing season for 2015 was met with an extended fall. This extra time on vine really comes through in this bottle in what was an otherwise fairly typical growing season. The fruit is rich and concentrated with plum and blackberry there is a whisper of smoke and cocoa on the finish but the fruit really drives this wine. Ignore the price completely because this is worth picking up a few bottles to start out a budding wine cellar. In 6-12 months this should be accessible and a slam dunk match to grilled meats, but if you wanted to keep some for 3-6 years it should continue to impress.
2015 Chateau des Charmes Barrel Fermented Chardonnay – ****+ – This is a benchmark wine for Chardonnay in the province. The value for dollar is off the chart and the 2015 vintage sets the bar incredibly high. The aromas are green apple, vanilla and hints of spice. The flavours are apple, pear with a hint of spice sprinkled in there. There is a nice creamy mouthfeel to this wine and a vanilla note rises above all the fruit and lingers for a long finish. In spite of this long finish there is a nice acidity that helps keep this wine from sitting too heavy on the palate. This is the perfect bottle of wine to enjoy with popcorn on a Friday night. This is one of those bottles that I wouldn’t want to pair with food. There is nice depth and the long finish of this wine is the sort of combination that makes me want to enjoy this bottle sans food.
