Wine Reviews - Pinot Noir from Chateau des Charmes

This pair of Pinot Noirs from Chateau des Charmes are truly something special. It’s fantastic to have 2016 and 2017 vintages both available because they really couldn’t be much different. 2016 was a fantastic year in Niagara in terms of how dry and warm it was – 2017 was a challenging vintage filled with rain – and more rain. That being said Pinot Noir is one of those varieties that soars in Niagara regardless of vintage conditions. I know that I say this every time I write about the plain old estate Pinot Noir – but the fact that you can grab a bottle of VQA Pinot Noir under twenty dollars and have it taste like Pinot is always something to get excited about. The Paul Bosc Estate Pinot Noir on the other hand just may be the best Pinot Noir I have ever tasted from St David’s Bench.

2017 Pinot Noir – LCBO 454967 – $16.95 – ***½+ – Straightforward and juicy – the challenging 2017 vintage in bottle yields something light and very food friendly. Aromas and flavours are sour cherry, cranberry, with just a hint of earthiness on the finish. My thoughts when I open this bottle is how I can put this next to roast duck, or dress it right down and put it next to pizza.

2016 Paul Bosc Estate Pinot Noir – Vintages 332858 – $38.95 – ****½ – This Pinot is stupid good – it’s rich, and teeming with ripe cherry, dark cherry, blackberry, and spice. The texture of this wine is so rich and concentrated it feels as though it permeates every inch of your mouth. The finish brings up a wisp of smoke layered over damp forest floor – and mated with balanced acidity keeps this wine light on the finish in spite of it’s depth. Ready to drink right now – will soften with a few years in a cellar – if you have the patience it will be interesting to see how this would age over 7 years. My ideal pairing for this bottle is simple – a second glass.