Blended from select casks chosen by father and son team Jimmy and Eddie Russell at Wild Turkey, this striking rye whiskey bridges brawn and elegance. The nose is a lively expression of the relationship between the majority grain and heavily charred new American oak: fresh-baked rye bread, spice and florals, hints of brine and a lurking farmyard funk rounded out with caramel and vanilla. Energetic on the palate, it bounds from citrusy notes of grapefruit and tangerine to dusty grain, oak and caramel.
Medium-deep plum red and surprisingly purple for its age. A fairly strong nose of plums, raspberry jam, cedar and herbs from the Merlot grapes . Nicely balanced, tasting of ripe red berries. Aging well, drink to 2021.
Winemaker/owner José Perdigão notes the strong influence of granitic soil in this highly regarded red. The fragrant nose exhibits complex floral, fruit and spice. The dense mid-palate exudes rich black fruit, but remains elegant overall because of its fresh mineral character, which lingers long on the finish. José suggests pairing this wine with partridge.
An interesting CF: not a hit-you-over-the-head style, but rather more elegant. Lovely aromatics of ripe cherry, plum, pomegranate, earth and subtle spice. Shows more depth on the palate and more structure, with earthy red fruits, anise, emerging oak spices and savoury herbs, with good acidity to keep it lively on the finish.
The grapes for the wine were sourced from the Fox Croft Vineyard, one of the top 3 for Cabernet Franc in the Niagara Peninsula. The dark cherry colour heralds a bouquet of cassis, smoke, violets, graphite, herbs and vanilla. Medium- to full-body, there is pronounced acidity and tannins, ensuring a long life ahead. Hold it until 2013 and then enjoy it until 2020.
As far as Chateau des Charmes is aware, it’s the only winery in North America that grows and makes a single-varietal bottling of Aligoté every vintage. Lovely and zesty nose of melon, peach skin, green apples, ginger and subtle tropical notes. Deliciously fresh on the palate with an array of orchard fruits, just a hint of ginger and minerality on the finish.
A blend of equal parts Colorino, Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera. Dense ruby-purple in colour with a cedary, plum and cherry nose; light- to medium-bodied, high-toned, sour-cherry and plum flavours.