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The St. David's Bench Vineyard combines an excellent microclimate, the finest vitis vinifera grape varieties and advanced viticultural techniques to produce rich wines of concentration and superior varietal character.
Please note: Prices include bottle deposit
 2007 Chardonnay,
St. David's Bench Vineyard
(V.Q.A. St. David's Bench )
Château des Charmes Chardonnay, St. David's Bench Vineyard is barrel fermented and aged "sur lie" for one year in new French oak barrels. The resulting wine is full-bodied, combining flavours of tropical fruit and melon in a concentrated, buttery style. This is an age worthy Chardonnay that will continue to develop for a few years in the bottle. 504 cases produced. Harvested September 23, 2007.
“OK, now we’re talking big Chardonnay. It’s toasty, rich, smoky, packed with mango, papaya, banana, grilled peach and spice notes. The wood aging is well integrated, giving the wine a lingering vanilla finish.”
– Dan Kislenko, Hamilton Spectator / K-W Record, August, 2010
“Light yellow colour. Spicy, complex, tasty, nutty nose with ripe lemon-melon-apple notes. Dry, medium bodied, bright, quite well structured, slightly spicy, ripe pear flavours with a lingering, slightly toasty finish. Recommended. Best Buy. Very good / Excellent.”
– Michael Vaughan, Vintage Assessments, July, 2010
“Look for excellent qualities in this well-made chardonnay. The flavours are broad and deep, with impressive complexity, and they’re accompanied by a well-calibrated seam of acidity. The balance is just right, and the overall effect is stylish. 4.5 stars / 5.”
– Rod Phillips, Winepointer, July, 2010
“This is another very good '07 Chardonnay from the Chateau (also see their Estate Chardonnay) - this time it's their single vineyard St. David's Bench version. Butterscotch, vanilla and pear puree on the nose, and a palate that follows closely to what you smell. Sweet fruit mid-palate and good stuffing with nice acidity leading to a lengthy finish. 4 stars / 5.”
– Michael Pinkus, OntarioWineReview.com, July, 2010
“I’ve recommended this wine year after year for its consistent pleasure and quality. Aromas of green apples, Asian pear and peach are nicely balanced with some smoky oak and toasted almond. Full-bodied and tasty. 88 pts.”
– Natalie Mclean, Nat Decants, July, 2010
“Outstanding structure from vibrant tropical fruit, nicely handled oak and fresh acidity. Shows off 2007 vintage. Quality oaked Chardonnay that shows a very deft hand in the winery. Medium-gold colour with aromas of toast, tropical fruit, banana bread and spice cupboard. Dry with a dramatic toast/fruit combo that works wonderfully. Full bodied with a very longfinish. An excellent example of New World Chardonnay. Enjoy it tonight with barbecued chicken, or Portobello mushrooms with a dash of balsamic vinegar.”
– Vintages, June, 2010
Food Pairings
This wine is an exceptional match for any poultry, thick cream pasta, or rich seafood dish.
Sugar Content (0) Retail Price $19.95
2007 Sauvignon Blanc, St. David's Bench Vineyard
(V.Q.A. St. David's Bench )
Château des Charmes Sauvignon Blanc, St. David's Bench Vineyard is smooth on the palate, exhibiting flavours of gooseberry and citrus fruit with an herbal note on the finish. A refreshing and easy drinking wine that is exceptional with food or as an aperitif. 3523 cases produced. Harvested September 23, 2007.
"Creamy, fresh, green gooseberry, lemon-citrus and lime zest, complex and intense, fine and poised. Smooth on the palate, with herb notes on the finish. Food friendly and a great aperitif. Exceptional, stylish and memorable. Recommended. 93 pts."
– Frank Baldock' s Wine Express, Winter, 2009
"A medium-bodied, refreshing white with notes of gooseberry and citrus. Pair with: chicken in cream sauce, shellfish, brie cheese, chocolate mousse, sushi. 88 pts."
– Natalie MacLean, NatalieMacLean.com, December, 2008
"This is brisk and tangy, just the sort of texture you need for freshly shucked oysters or for seafood and white fish you drizzle with lemon juice. The flavours are vibrant and well-defined, and it's medium weight and dry." – Rod Phillips, Ottawa Citizen, December, 2008
Food Pairings
This wine pairs very well with a number of dishes but makes an excellent match with herb chicken or cream pasta dishes.
Sugar Content (0) Retail Price $15.95
2007 Gewürztraminer, St. David's Bench Vineyard
(V.Q.A. St. David's Bench )
Château des Charmes Gewürztraminer, St. David's Bench Vineyard has a light gold colour with an exotic bouquet of tropical fruits and lychee spice. Smooth and rich with a distinctive and complex finish. This wine is very rare and is produced only in exceptional vintages. 780 cases produced. Harvested September 19, 2007.
“The first vintages release with CdC's new packaging, but the wine remains true to the Bosc family's traditional values. This has an intense…heavily floral nose, with some exotic notes like orchid and vanilla pod. The palate is soft…and there is a decent bit of fat and long finish. 86 pts.”
– John Szabo, Wine Access First in Line EReport, October, 2009
“This is full-on gewurz with a powerful nose of lychee, ginger, cloves and spearmint. Full bodied and fairly sweet with soft acidity and some alcohol heat. Its thick texture is lightened by a lemon zest and spice finish. Excellent length.”
– David Lawrason, Wine Align, October, 2009
Food Pairings
Gewürztraminer is a perfect match with spicy stir fry and Asian food or on its own as an aperitif.
Sugar Content (1) Retail Price $21.95
2007 Viognier, St. David's Bench Vineyard
(V.Q.A. St. David's Bench )
Château des Charmes Viognier, St. David's Bench Vineyard is a rare vitis vinifera variety that originated in the Rhone region of France. It is a smooth, medium bodied aromatic wine with complex melon and citrus flavours on the palate with peach and almond aromatics. 522 cases produced. Harvested October 9, 2007.
“This is good, correct viognier with typical lychee/star fruit, ginger and mild spice. It’s medium weight with nervy, lemony acidity and considerable alcohol warmth. Focused and quite long.”
– David Lawrason, WinerytoHome.com, October, 2009
Food Pairings
Perfect as an aperitif or matched with seafood pasta, sushi, grilled fish or chicken.
Sugar Content (0) Retail Price $25.95
2006 Savagnin Icewine, St. David's Bench Vineyard
(V.Q.A. St. David's Bench)
Château des Charmes Savagnin Icewine, St. David's Bench Vineyard is a deliciously sweet nectar that exudes aromas of marma lade and lemon with a fine overall balance between fruit flavours, sweetness and acidity. Icewine is a gift of winter to be enjoyed on its own or served with dessert. 149 case produced. Harvested January 25, 2007.
Château des Charmes' renowned icewines have won numerous national and international awards including the International Wine and Spirit Competition Trophy in London, England where it was judged "Best Icewine Worldwide."
"This one’s for those who think they’ve seen it all when it comes to icewine – and I would have to put myself into that category as well – until now. This wine is made from the Savagnin grape, a curiosity in the wine world. It is grown mainly in a small corner of Eastern France called the Jura, and is the primary grape used in vin jaune. This one’s not cheap, but it’s an amazing elixir. It’s like caramel syrup, thick and opulent in the mouth with only 9% alcohol and a 27 on the sugar code. The nose is honeyed-apricots while the palate delivers so much more. Think liquefied crème brulee that coats the mouth, yet with a clean fresh acidity that cleans the palate instead of being all sticky. This really is a taste treat sensation like nothing you’ve ever tried. *****5 stars (out of 5). Outstanding.”
– Michael Pinkus, OntarioWineReview.com, April, 2010
"Savagnin is an obscure grape from the alpine Jura region of France, first planted in Niagara by Paul Bosc, who has occasionally made dry wine from it over the years. But this is the first Savagnin Icewine in Canada, a stunning wine. Sumptuous and exotic, with an incredible, complex nose of marmalade, mandarin, lemon, pine and sponge toffee all evenly proportioned. It's very thick, very sweet and opulent, with outstanding length. Best 2009 to 2014. 93 pts.”
– David Lawrason, Wine Access Buyer’s Guide, May 2009
“The first question that begs to be answered is : What is Savagnin? It is a rare grape, grown in the Jura region of France, that makes dry wines. The local specialty is Vin Jaune, a Sherry-style oxidized wine that can last upwards of 50 years. Back to Canada: the Bosc family originally made dry wines from this varietal, but has now decided to produce the first ever Icewine from this grape. Medium body; it offers good amounts of fruit and acid, more along the lines of a refined Riesling Icewine rather than an over-the-top Vidal. This unique wine will age wonderfully for many years to come, and is well worth the price. It is a wonderful discovery. Kudos! 91 pts.”
– Tidings, Spring, 2009
Sugar Content (27) Retail Price $75.00 / 375 ml
2008 Gamay Droit, St. David's Bench Vineyard
(V.Q.A. St. David's Bench )
In 1982, Château des Charmes' founder Paul-Michel Bosc, while conducting pioneering clonal selection research at his vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake, noticed a single Gamay Noir vine that exhibited some interesting and unique characteristics. Most noticeably, the vine shoots grew in an upright ("droit") position. Propagation of this single vine began immediately and culminated almost two decades later in the granting of international Plant Breeder's Rights to Château des Charmes. "Canada's first vinifera" was born. Gamay Droit produces grapes that ripen on average about ten days later than Gamay Noir with higher sugar levels and greater colouring matters. The result is a red wine with more body, alcohol and flavour concentration. 2584 cases produced. Harvested October 7, 2008.
“This particular wine pours a deep violet red colour and produces aromas of wild berries, chocolate, and some earth. On the mouth, expect more berry fruit along with some cherries. Also a bit of cranberry present in this medium bodied wine....maybe a future holiday pick for the turkey? You can save it till December or enjoy it now with some nice turkey burgers on the grill. Oh and price-wise you cannot go wrong - selling for under $17.00 in most markets. 4 stars / 5.”
– James Geneau, Gremolata.com, March, 2010
Food Pairings
Pairs well with tomato sauce pasta dishes, red meats and barbecued foods.
Sugar Content (0) Retail Price $16.95.
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, St. David's Bench Vineyard
(V.Q.A. St. David's Bench )
Château des Charmes Cabernet Sauvignon, St. David's Bench Vineyard undergoes temperature controlled fermentation and is aged for one year in French oak barrels. The resulting wine has a deep ruby colour and a bouquet of cassis and bell pepper. It is full bodied and complex, possessing classic varietal flavours. This wine is ready to drink now, but will continue to develop in the bottle for 5-10 years. 493 cases produced. Harveted October 17, 2007.
Food Pairing
This wine is an excellent match for any red meat or pasta dish.
Sugar Content (0) Retail Price $25.95.
2007 Merlot, St. David's Bench Vineyard
(V.Q.A. St. David's Bench )
Château des Charmes Merlot, St. David's Bench Vineyard undergoes temperature-controlled fermentation and is aged for one year in French oak barrels. It has a purplish ruby colour and a bouquet of black cherry and dark chocolate. It is a rich, full-bodied wine tasting of cherry and cassis with a silky finish. This wine is very ageworthy and will continue to develop for 5-10 years after bottling. 494 cases produced. Harvested October 16, 2007.
“Rich, plummy, dark fruit flavours dominate this full-bodied red, which clearly still needs time to integrate. An old world style Merlot with firm texture and no compromise to appeal to the hoi polloi. With this structure, I suspect this will start to drink well after 2011 and hold another 5-7 years or more beyond. 90 pts.”
– John Szabo, Ontario Wine Report, August, 2009
Awards
Cellars of the World International Competition, 2009 - Bronze
Food Pairings
This wine is an excellent match for any red meat or pasta dish.
Sugar Content (0) Retail Price $29.95.
2005 Cabernet Franc, St. David's Bench Vineyard
(V.Q.A. St. David's Bench )
Château des Charmes Cabernet Franc, St. David's Bench Vineyard undergoes temperature controlled fermentation and is aged for one year in French oak barrels. It is a ruby coloured, complex wine with flavours of raspberry and pipe tobacco. Although this wine is ready to drink, it will continue to develop in the bottle for five to 10 years. 750 cases produced. Harvested September 30, 2005.
"A soon as I smelled this blind I was transported instantly to that small piece of land on the St. David's Bench, year after year CdC picks some of the best CF in the country. The classy wet clay and mineral flavours will satisfy serious Grand Cru St. Emilion fans at less than half the price. This baby is just a baby. So be patient. When: 2012+, decanted, served in your best crystal stems while listening to a Bach cello suite. 90 pts."
– CityBites, May/June, 2009
"Look for a tightly wound nose with intriguing clay-mineral notes mixed with light herbs, fresh violet, vanilla bean and abundant fresh black fruit. Dry, firm, highly concentrated, full-bodied red with complexity – this is built to last. Give this solid mouthful of wine at least 3 to 5 years to come around and hold another decade. 92 pts."
– John Szabo, Wine Access, June/July, 2008
Food Pairings
This wine is an excellent match for any red meat or pasta dish.
Sugar Content (0) Retail Price $25.95.
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