Chateau des Charmes, Old Vines Riesling, Niagara-on-the-Lake

The tasting notes for this wine are a bit of story. Without our knowledge, my mother-in-law, opened the bottle had a small glass a week before we tasted it. She placed in the refrigerator during that week and when discovered the wine was still wonderful. With the wine being cold, it had a very pronounced petrol smell, with stone fruit and pear and acidic finish. As it warmed up it opened up, the acidity softened, and the nose changed to …

I think this bottle was probably flawed. Barnyard on the nose, which is really strange in white and offputting. Lots of petrol too. Stone fruit. Off dry, good acidity still, long finish. Age is quite apparent. also I thought I detect a bit of spritziness.....

Robe de couleur: Verdâtre, Bouquet présent, Bouquet: Pétrole, citron, plastique; Amertume faible; Arômes en bouche: Pétrole, citron, orange, Long, frais, pas trop sur le pétrole au gout, mauvais nez

Lemon, petrol, and a touch of dried thyme on the nose. Lemon, petrol, and mango with some herbal notes on the palate, and a nice candied apple flavor with a hint of cinnamon on the finish. Low residual sugar makes this a nice food wine. Very well balanced with refreshing, but not overpowering, acidity. One of the nicest whites we've had in awhile - highly recommended!

Aged beautifully, this wine still has the peach and apricot nuances hidden behind a developing petroleum mask. The aged vines show through in its long lingering aftertaste.

Nice fruit aromas, above average acidity and a bit of residual sugar seems nicely balanced. Med+ body, bit of bitterness (not unpleasant) on a decent finish. Tasted twice, Dec 2010