Taste it Again / Lost & Found
Lost & Found: Chateau des Charmes 2007 Cabernet-Merlot, Estate
24 Nov 2014- Details
- Category: Lost & Found / Taste it Again
(September 11, 2014) ... On the same day I located and wept for the loss of some older Ontario bottles I also tried something marvelous, with character and depth. Is it the greatest bottle I have ever had? No. But it was the best bottle I had that day (faint praise indeed, especially if you read about my previous wines on this day).
I opened this bottle of 2007 Cabernet-Merlot from Ontario's only Chateau ... and when it comes to this wine there is a bit of a back-story. Many moons ago the 1999 version of this wine was an awe-inspiring moment for me, and to this day I still remember the life changing/affirming elixir I found in that bottle time and time again (I had 8 bottles over the years); so I have a special place in my heart for this wine in all its incarnations.
I have a few bottles of the '07 in the cellar and it was high time to pull one out and pour myself a glass. Nose proved to be smoky, with dark berries and cassis being the major notes. The wine starts out kinda muted, fruit-wise, but shows elements of both red and black berries, and the wine has a youthful quality with hints of tobacco and spiced black cherry. Palate shows off more smoky/tobacco character with earthy tannins, which are grippy and retains nice acidity. As the evening wears on the wine develops some anise with blackberry, cassis and a slight mocha note. The nice structure and youthful flavours come with time open, and it's worth it.
