11 BOTTLES FROM 2 NIAGARA WINERIES
By DEAN TUDOR
November 2009
From Chateau des Charmes :
1. Sauvignon Blanc 2007 – St. David’s Bench, $15.95: cork finished unlike the NOTL bottling of their sauvignon blanc. Typical MVC but greater than expected at this price level: gooseberries, nettles, herbs, citrus. Useful as aperitif and with savoury first courses. From the generally excellent 2007 vintage, it should keep for a few years as a Sancerre would. 12.5% ABV (3,523 cases made).
2. Aligoté 2007 – Niagara on the Lake, $13.45: uniquely grown at Chateau des Charmes. Aligoté is the wine of choice in Kir; it is the second white wine of Burgundy. In profile, it is a bit like chardonnay but near the sauvignon blanc end: crispy citrus-green apple. 12% ABV (2,169 cases).
3. Gamay Noir Droit 2007 – St. David’s Bench, $16.95: here is another specialty of the Bosc family. The GN Droit is so-named because the vine shoots straight up – it has been developed through clonal research, and ripens almost two weeks later than regular Gamay. Thus, there are higher sugar levels and deeper colour. It is a body and soul wine in its gamay flavour profile. 13% ABV (2,484 cases). (suite…)
