D'Arenberg 2006 The Dead Arm Shiraz - 93+pts

D'Arenberg 2006 The Dead Arm Shiraz (McLaren Vale) Australia

Availability:  BCLDB

Cost: $69.99

Alcohol: 14.5%

Date Tasted:  January, 2010

Tasting Notes:  Superb.  This was an amazing wine but at $70 it is not the greatest value (yet).  This wine requires patience and may not be for the every day drinker.

The Dead Arm name comes from a vine disease that randomly effects vineyards all over the world.  This infection causes one arm of the vine to slowly deteriorate into dead wood.  While one arm is dead, the other arm produces low yields with amazing intensity.

The appearance is almost ink black. The nose was deep and complex with oak, cedar, deep black current and light tangerine.  Savory and mouth watering.  The palate is silky smooth expressing bacon, a continuation of oak, and current.  The finish is unbelievably long with some light spice.  This is a big wine with medium tannins and medium acid.  It is drinking well right now but could do with some serious time in the cellar.  This wine is young at 6 years.  Drink 2014-2024.

 - Hugh Carter for Icon Wines ©copyright 2010

Tantalus Vineyards 2008 Riesling - 91pts

Tantalus Vineyards 2008 Riesling (Kelowna) - BC

Availability: Direct from winery or VQA stores

Cost: $22-$25

Date Tasted: January 2010

Tasting Notes: This riesling lives up to the hype. The appearance was clear straw.  On the nose expressions of petrol, butter, and green apple. The palate is clean and crisp with full fruit. Green apple continues with grapefruit and high acid. The finish was long and luscious and coats the mouth. Overall this is an extremely fine medium plus bodied wine with near perfect balance.  Works well with food.

Watch out for Tantalus. This relatively new winery has set the bar extremely high with their 2007 offerings and I look forward to future vintages. Tantalus has their focus right. Amazing riesling and great pinot noir. Drink now through 2014.

 - Hugh Carter for Icon Wines ©copyright 2010

Sileni 2008 Cellar Selection Pinot Noir - 88 pts

Sileni 2008 Cellar Selection Pinot Noir (Hawke's Bay) New Zealand


Availability:  BCLDB
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: January 2010

Tasting Notes:  Elegant and fun to drink.  The pinot noir of New Zealand are exciting and can express tremendous complexity with new world charm.  Hawke's Bay expresses desirable conditions for the heartbreak grape that rival some of the better growing conditions in the world.

This pinot had a garnet appearance and the nose was complex with candied cherries, stewed berries, meatiness, and undertones of light barnyard (so new world pinot).  The palate was smooth with prominent cherry, a touch of tannin, and medium acid.  A medium plus finish that added some violet notes.  Overall, a good wine with fun complexity on the nose.
- Hugh Carter

Black Hills Estate Winery 2008 Chardonnay - 90pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2008 Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. Select VQA and private stores.
Cost: $30-35
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 600 cases
Date Tasted: July 1st, 2010

Tasting Notes: An elegant, partially oaked Chardonnay from cult favourite Black Hills Estate Winery located on the Black Sage Bench in Southern Okanagan. Known, primarily, for their flagship big red blend Note Bene, they are also turning out some impressive white wines, including this quality and complex Chardonnay.

Full-ish bodied and loaded with orchard fruit flavours and tropical fruit and melon aromas. The sublime, citrus acidity and austere minerality on the palate deftly balances the buttery oak flavours and caramel aromas from the partial barrel fermentation (62% French oak, 38% stainless steel) and MLF. Think California-cream meets Chablis-limestone. A touch of vanilla and spice on the long finish completes the experience. Pair with a buttery pasta sauce or a grilled, oily white fish. Drink now through 2014.
 - Liam Carrier

See Ya Later Ranch 2007 Rover - 90pts

See Ya Later Ranch 2007 Rover (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. VQA stores. 2008 vintage also available.

Cost: $25

Alcohol: 14.5%

Date Tasted: May 29th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Intense, developing aromas of black berries, plums, ripe cherries, vanilla, cedar and peppercorns greet you on the nose. The smooth textured palate follows-up with flavours of big, bold berries and lots of spices: cooking spice, cardamom and pepper. A firm structure of high tannins frames the fruit on the palate nicely. Very well balanced.

Aged in 60% French and 40% American oak for 18 months. An Australian-style blend of 95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier (minus the eucalyptus/mint aromas). This is a gorgeous BBQ wine whose robust tannins will pair well with a good steak or grilled lamb. Drink now through 2014.
 - Liam Carrier

Gypsie Jack Wine Co. 2006 Shiraz - 88pts

Gypsie Jack Wine Co. 2006 Shiraz (Langhorne Creek) South Australia - Australia

Availability: Private and BCLDB stores.
Cost: $17-22
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: June 28th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Quality Aussie Shiraz from John Glaetzer's side project Gipsie Jack Wine Co. Partnering with Langhorne Creek winemaker Bill Potts to create a blended, easy drinking line of quality, affordable wines. This has certainly been achieved.

The 2006 Shiraz is a drink now wine that still offers good complexity of flavours and aromas. The nose presents bright aromas of red berries and spicy pepper. The smooth palate has round tannins, vanilla, nice oak notes and bright berry flavours with lingering spice on the finish. Another good Aussie BBQ wine that will pair beautifully with grilled steak and ribs. Drink 2010-2012.
 - Liam Carrier

Seven Stones Winery 2007 Standing Rock Meritage - 91pts

Seven Stones Winery 2007 Standing Rock Meritage (Cawston) Similkameen Valley

Availability: Direct from winery. VQA stores.
Cost: $31.99
Alcohol: 14.4%
Date Tasted: June 27th, 2010

Tasting Notes: The Similkameen Valley is the (not-so) hidden gem of a region directly east of the Southern Okanagan Valley. Slightly greener and more temperate the valley, none-the-less, has an ideal continental climate for growing European grape varieties, both Germanic whites and French reds. The fruit for the Standing Rock Meritage is completely estate grown in a beautiful 20 acre bench above the valley floor with a soil profile of sandy loam, limestone and clay.

A Merlot-heavy blend (60%) with big berry and ripe plum flavours aged for 17 months in French oak. The 35% Cabernet Sauvignon adds a firm, yet gentle structure of tannins and the 5% Cabernet Franc rounds out the nose with light floral aromas. The French oak imparts flavours and aromas of cedar, pencil shavings, vanilla and a subtle spiciness that lingers on the palate for a good 30+ seconds.

This is a beautiful and elegant wine with good concentration and complexity. Very well priced at under $35. Drink now through 2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Jackson-Triggs Vintners 2006 SunRock Vineyard Shiraz - 90-91pts

Jackson-Triggs Vintners 2006 SunRock Vineyard Shiraz (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. BCLDB and VQA stores.
Cost: $35.00
Alcohol: 14.2%
Production: 800 cases
Date Tasted: June 8th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Awarded the title of "Best Red Wine of the Year" by Wine Access magazine in 2009. Is it deserved? Well, I'll let you be the judge of that but I will say that this is a high quality Shiraz with great concentration of flavour and aroma that is tasting beautifully now and shows the potential to improve further with time.

Aged in French and American Oak barrels for 18 months imparting a mixture of spice, vanilla and big tannins on the palate. Concentrated red fruit flavours balance the high tannins nicely. The intense nose offers developing aromas of red berries, finely ground pepper, minerals and some earthy notes. A 40 second+ finish of lingering spice completes the experience. Pair with lamb or grilled steak.

Buy and hold. With only 800 cases produced this has the chance of becoming a collectable wine. Drink now through 2015. 2007 vintage now available. CSPC# 987610.
 - Liam Carrier

La Motte 2007 Shiraz - 87pts

La Motte 2007 Shiraz (Franschhoek Valley) South Africa

Availability: Limited. Private and BCLDB stores.

Cost: $16-19

Alcohol: 13.9%

Date Tasted: June 20th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This inky-ruby coloured wine, at times, reminds one of a smoky and earthy Rhone Valley Syrah, for a fraction of the price. The complexity of aromas and flavours offers great value in the $16-19 range.

Dark cherries, coffee grinds and toasted oak notes join the earthy and smoke aromas on the nose. The dark cherries, smoke and toasted oak continue through as flavours on the dry, high acid palate with notes of bitter chocolate and black licorice. Round, smooth tannins with a moderate finish.

Blended from Shiraz grapes grown in different Cape wine-lands (Walker Bay 30%, Franschhoek 15%, Darling 13%, Tulbagh 12%, Paarl 10%, Wellington 10% and Elim 10%) this wine is a good example of blending for flavour characteristics from unique terroirs. Drink now through 2013.
 - Liam Carrier

Stone Paddock 2008 Sauvignon Blanc - 87pts

Stone Paddock 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (Hawkes Bay) New Zealand

Availability: Limited.

Cost: $15-19

Alcohol: 12.5%

Date Tasted: June 19th, 2010

Tasting Notes: I first tasted this delicious and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc at the Vancouver International Wine Festival in April where the full line-up of Stone Paddock wines impressed. It's a good example of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc at a good price with classic gooseberry and grapefruit aromas and flavours. The high acid on the palate adds a welcomed refreshing element to the wine and is never overbearing as it is nicely balanced by the concentration of flavours which include a strong minerality component.

Only a few BCLDB stores have the wine in stock today. This may have to be ordered special until it finds local distribution. Drink now through 2012.
 - Liam Carrier

Pieropan 2009 Soave Classico - 86pts

Pieropan 2009 Soave Classico (Soave DOC) Veneto - Italy

Availability: Widely available. BCLDB stores.

Cost: $24.99

Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: May 31st, 2010

Tasting Notes: A light and cheerful wine from the North Eastern Italian region of Veneto made from 100% Garganega grapes. Dry, with high acidity and medium intensity of flavour. This is a tasty, light-to-medium bodied, food-friendly wine that displays citrus and mineral notes on the nose and palate. Drink now through 2014.
 - Liam Carrier

Gehringer Brothers 2007 Optimum Pinot Noir - 85pts

Gehringer Brothers 2007 Optimum Pinot Noir (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. VQA stores.

Cost: $20.00

Alcohol: 13.0%

Date Tasted: June 8th, 2010

Tasting Notes: An admirable and pleasantly fruity Pinot Noir from Gehringer Brothers bottled under their reserve label "Optimum". A bright nose of raspberry jam and strawberry liqueur with some sweet oak notes and a touch of vanilla. The palate is easy-going and food friendly with red berries prominent but lacks the depth of flavours one normally expects from a Pinot. High acid and medium tannins with a moderate finish. Drink now through 2012.
 - Liam Carrier

McGuigan Wines 2009 Black Label Shiraz - 84pts

McGuigan Wines 2009 Black Label Shiraz (South Eastern Australia) Australia

Availability: Widely available in BC and Ont.

Cost: $9-11

Alcohol: 14.0%

Date Tasted: June 13th, 2010

Tasting Notes: The "Black Label" series is the mass-produced wines from Australian producer McGuigan. "South Eastern Australia" refers to a catch-all region that can contain fruit from South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Essentially, this means they are blending for flavours, piecing together a peppery note from here and a dark cherry note from there, looking to create a traditionally flavoured Aussie Shiraz rather than trying to express a sense of terroir - a sense of place. This is a practice down with more expensive Australian wines as well, and one, like with this example, that can produce a very easy-drinking and satisfying wine.

Offering great value, this is straight-forward, simple Shiraz with classic aromas of cherries, black pepper and blackberries. Flavours of red and dark fruit follow suit on the palate. Inky-purple in colour with a moderate, lingering spicy finish and none of the bitter aftertaste you often get with cheap wine.

Off-dry, but slightly too sweet in the balance which may put some drinkers off. But this can be moderated by serving the wine slightly chilled and with food. It paired nicely with a grilled, peppercorn flavoured T-bone steak with grilled asparagus. Drink now, this is not a wine that will improve with age.
 - Liam Carrier

Jacob's Creek 2007 Steingarten Riesling - 90pts

Jacob's Creek 2007 Steingarten Riesling (Barossa Valley) South Australia - Australia

Availability: Limited availability. Some BCLDB stores.

Cost: $24.50

Alcohol: 12.5%

Date Tasted: June 13th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This medium-straw coloured wine offers intense aromas of lemon grass, butter, rubber, citrus and petrol notes on the nose. The palate has a slightly effervescent texture and solid, citrus acidity that is very refreshing. Concentrated flavours of river bed stones, lime, grapefruit and orchard fruit follow suit.
This wine does a fantastic job expressing where it comes from - its terroir. One imagines a steep, rocky and windy mountainside vineyard when tasting the intense mineral flavours. This is an excellent, fully-dry Riesling with good concentration and character - it certainly has something to say. Drink now through 2016.
 - Liam Carrier and Hugh Carter

Loosen Bros 2008 Riesling "Dr L" - 89pts

Loosen Bros 2008 Riesling "Dr L" (Mosel) Germany

Availability: Widely available. BCLDB stores.

Cost: $18.99

Alcohol: 8.5%

Date Tasted: June 13th, 2010

Tasting Notes: An off-dry, food-friendly, crowd-pleasing Riesling from fruit grown in the steep, slate soil vineyards of the Mosel valley by top producer Dr. Loosen (Loosen Bros.). The nose offers aromas of stone fruit, lemon and mango with lively floral notes. The palate offers flavours of Newton apples, Asian pears and minerals with tangy citrus acidity balanced nicely by the sweetness from the concentrated fruit. This is a good quality, medium-bodied wine with a persistent finish that shines when enjoyed with food. Drink now through 2013.
 - Liam Carrier and Hugh Carter

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay - 87pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
Cost: $16.99
Alcohol: 14.3%
Production: 2240 cases
Date Tasted: June 7th, 2010

Tasting Notes: A touch of oak-aging (about 1/4 of the juice for a short time in new French oak) goes a long way in this vibrant, ready to drink Chardonnay from Southern Okanagan producer Tinhorn Creek. Winemaker Sandra Oldfield has created a fun, moderately complex and most importantly, delectable and quenching Chardonnay.

Classic aromas of luscious melons, buttery ice cream and orchard fruit with quiet herbaceous notes. Flavours of pears, apples, sweet pineapple and light toasted oak spice and with piquant, lemony acidity; very refreshing. This is an excellent wine to pair with a social, hot patio or a passionate board game (will also pair beautifully with pasta in a white cream sauce). Drink now through 2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Oldfield Series 2Bench White - 89pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Oldfield Series 2Bench White (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: BCLDB and VQA stores.
Cost: $22.99
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 1331 cases
Date Tasted: June 6th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Given time to open-up (and warm-up - don't serve this gem too cold) the nose blooms, offering aromatic and perfumed aromas  of blossoms, ripe pears, apricots, minerals and roasted mellons. The Sauvignon Blanc is evident with typical notes of grass and gooseberry. The palate is round yet crisp and has great acidity with pear and minerality continuing from the nose. The complexity is evident with further expressions of green apple and light lemon. The finish is long.  

This 2Bench White has a surprisingly high level of alcohol at 14.4% but the fruit concentration and complexity make it a non-issue. Overall this wine is complex and refreshing with fantastic minerality as one might expect from an estate grown Chardonnay driven blend. There is a lot going on in this wine.  A great pairing would be asian cuisine with shellfish. This will be on the regular play list for the summer. Drink now through 2014.
 - Hugh Carter

Mission Hill Estate Winery 2005 Quatrain - 91-92pts

Mission Hill Estate Winery 2005 Quatrain (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. Restaurants. 2006 vintage widely available.
Cost: $40-45

Alcohol: 13.5%

Date Tasted: June 5th, 2010

Tasting Notes: From the cellar comes the inaugural vintage of Mission Hill's excellent Quatrain, a red blend of 57% Merlot, 28% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. At 5 years old this wine has not yet peaked and will benefit from another 2 years of patient cellaring. That said, it is drinking beautifully now showing incredible concentration of aromas and flavours.

Tasted blind there would be no confusion over its origin - a complement. This is an unabashed New World fruit explosion that has been artfully treated with new French oak and given time to gel: the 2005 vintage was released in the Fall of 2008. Big tannins and strong acidity never over-power the fruit or texture of this inky-ruby gem. The Syrah is prominent on the nose and palate adding a peppery spiciness to what would otherwise be a straight-forward Meritage blend. Cassis, plums, blackberries, chocolate and coffee beans

this wine requires careful decanting as there is quite a bit of sediment in the bottle. 1-2 hours prior to drinking should do nicely. Seek out this 2005 vintage and treat yourself to a 1st class BC red blend - the 2006 (tasted at the release party in Oct '09) left us a bit bored on the palate. Some VQA stores may still have a few '05s hanging around. Drink now through 2015.
 - Liam Carrier

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Pinot Gris - 88pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Pinot Gris (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Widely available. BCLDB ad VQA stores.
Cost: $16.99
Alcohol: 13.9%
Production: 4781 cases
Date Tasted: June 5th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Green apples, crisp peaches, canned mandarins and a heathy dose of steely mineral notes, an intriguing nose makes. Followed by a medium-plus bodied, creamy textured palate with intense flavours of orchard fruit, melon balls minerality and green-apple tartness. A quality wine with excellent concentration and a balanced, moderate-plus finish offering good value for the price.

As your day of lounging on a hot deck turns into evening and the conversation deepens, break out the Tinhorn Creek 2009 Pinot Gris - a perfect pairing. Should also pair nicely with a crispy, toasted panini with crumbled goat's cheese and grilled veggies. Drink now through 2011.
 - Liam Carrier

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Gewurztraminer - 87pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Gewurztraminer (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
Cost: $16.99
Alcohol: 12.7%
Production: 3922 cases
Date Tasted: June 5th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Tinhorn Creek's trend towards making a drier Gewurtraminer is a welcomed one. Two vintages in a row has seen winemaker Sandra Oldfield progress towards a crisper and drier Gewurz - the 2009 has 8.62 g/L of residual sugar. This allows the natural fruit flavours and moderate acidity to shine through, creating a refreshing and splendid wine.

Aromas of sweet citrus, lychee, honey, pears, rose blossoms and the spice of crushed cardamom shells on the nose. The oily textured, full-bodied palate offers youthful flavours of tropical acidity, lychee, stone fruit, spice and minerality with excellent balance and a long finish. A good quality wine and an affordable price that will pair nicely with spicy Indian fare. Drink now through 2011.
 - Liam Carrier

Domaine Bosquet des Papes 2007 Cuvée Traditional - 91-92pts

Domaine Bosquet des Papes 2007 Cuvée Traditional (Chateauneuf-du-Pape) Rhone Valley - France

Availability: Private wine shops.

Cost: $40-50

Alcohol: 14.5%

Date Tasted: May 17th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This dry, inky-ruby wine from the Southern Rhone Valley shows great typicality for 2007's excellent vintage of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Plums, red berries, candied fruit and lavender aromas on the nose are followed by intense flavours of red fruit, honey and  with mineral and earthy notes.

Year-to-year the blend changes slightly but generally follows the 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault recipe. The fruit for this wine comes from vines 50 years old, on average. This wine will develop beautifully over the next 3-4 years and will easily last a decade. Drink 2012-2017.
 - Liam Carrier

M. Chapoutier 2004 Les Granits - 91-92pts

M. Chapoutier 2004 Les Granits (Saint Joseph) Rhone Valley - France

Availability: Private wine shops.

Cost: $60-70

Alcohol: 13.5%

Date Tasted: May 17th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This100% Syrah wine from top Rhone Valley producer M. Chapoutier is born of very poor and very stony granitic soils, as the name suggests, and delivers the stimulating soupéon of Northern Rhone. Full-bodied and concentrated on the nose and palate offering aromas and flavours of smoke, pepper, bitter chocolate, violets, beef jerky, toasted oak, granite and dark fruits.

Aged in 100% new or very recent French oak for 12-14 months giving the wine strong, but well structured tannins. At 6 years of age already, the wine has a beautiful garnet hue to the rim and core. This is a top quality Syrah from the Saint Joseph appellation that will make a nice addition to anyone's cellar. Drink now through 2018.
 - Liam Carrier