There are a few new wines on the market from Chateau des Charmes. The one I was most excited to explore was the 2017 Paul Bosc Vineyard Chardonnay – there really was something special about that growing year. But what we have that have recently hit the shelves of the LCBO are a pair of wines from hot summers. If there is anything that shows the strength of the winemaking at Chateau des Charmes it’s how winemaker Amélie Boury has managed to retain balance and acidity in the 2016 and 2018 wines in spite of the hot summers.
2017 Paul Bosc Vineyard Chardonnay – $24.95 – ****+ – This is one of the wines I have been looking forward to – The past few vintages of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Chateau des Charmes seem to be getting better and better. While most wineries have long sold out of their 2017s a handful have held back – I loved the 2016 (link) that just rolled through vintages – there is no LCBO release that I can see for this wine. Beautiful balance with acidity, and fantastically complex – this moves from tangerine to apple and brushes up on pineapple. Something about this vintage somehow manages to deliver everything you would expect from Niagara Chardonnay. This is a clear drink now or hold – It’s tasting great now but has another few years ahead of it.
2018 Gamay Noir ‘Droit’ – $19.95 – Vintages 346742 – **** – The Niagara clone of Gamay that comes from the St David’s Bench vineyard at Chateau des Charmes is often a wine that doesn’t get the credit it deserves. This unoaked vintage of this wine delivers a pure expression of Gamay from Niagara. This is a wonderful reflection of a hot summer with dark cherry, and blackberry notes with whispers of freshly cracked black pepper. It’s hard not to feel a little extra Canadian sipping on what is probably the only Canadian born Vinifera grape – this was released on June 12th so stock up for Canada Day.
2016 Blanc De Blancs – $34.95 – Vintages 423111 – **** – In a year where it’s hard to find reasons to celebrate, buying a great bottle of bubbly can help lift the mood. If you have never had Franciacorta there is something looking towards this small italian region in this bottle. The wine delivers some fantastic ripe fruit notes – leaning into pear and fresh peach thanks to the searing hot 2016 summer. Thanks to great vineyard management and winemaking the ripe fruit notes are met with perfect acidity. The Blanc de Blancs for Chateau des Charmes continues to deliver something to look forward to.
