It's been a long time since I've bought any Niagara knockoffs of the Bordeaux paradigm ... so today, on my way back from an afternoon walk and in anticipation of the filet mignon that I was planning for supper, I stopped into my local friendly (okay, just professional) LCBO and picked up a bottle of the 2004 Chateau des Charmes Niagara Peninsula VQA Cab Franc / Cab Sauvignon / Merlot blend.
Closed with high-quality natural cork; 12.5% alc./vol. Very pretty deep-garnet core with a ruby hue when held against the light. Vegetal nose of freshly cut green peppers with some hints of licorice and French oak spice; not much in the way of fruit or complexity. Tart and grippy on the entry; lithe with decent mid-palate tannins but a generally underripe feel. Decent balance with very good alcohol (only 12.5% - whew!) and a spicy green-pepper finish accented by French-oak.
This wine was serviceable and alright, but it confirmed my views that the Bordeaux paradigm isn't really what we should be specializing in here in Ontario when it comes to home-grown reds.