Hester Creek Estate Winery 2005 Reserve Merlot - 88pts

Hester Creek Estate Winery 2005 Reserve Merlot (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Older vintage. Direct from winery.
Cost: $27.99
Alcohol: 14.2%
Production: 820 cases
Date Tasted: July 19th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This dark-ruby, 2005 vintage Merlot from Golden Mile Bench producer Hester Creek Estate Winery has aged well, showing no signs of a tired wine past its prime. A medium intense, developing bouquet of dark fruit, vanilla, pencil shavings and cedar aromas greet you on the nose. The dry, bold palate follows with developed flavours of blueberry, leather, toasted oak, vanilla, plum and bitter, dark chocolate.

Medium-plus tannins have rounded nicely with age (don't we all) and provide good structure to this tasty Merlot. Full, but not weighty with a moderate finish. Pair with roasted lamb. Drink now through 2013.
 - Liam Carrier

Submissions

To contact IconWines.ca for the purpose of sending samples of your products for reviewing, please contact us for shipping and delivery instructions via email: iconwines@shaw.ca.

We remain unaffiliated with any wineries, agents or importers. Your wines will be scored objectively by ISG-trained reviewer Liam Carrier and contributors using the standard 100 point scale. Less than 80 = Below Average Quality; 81-85 = Average Quality; 86-90 = Above Average Quality; 91-95 = Exceptional Quality; 96-100 = Superior Quality.

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Stoneboat Vineyards 2008 Pinotage - 89-90pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2008 Pinotage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. VQA stores in BC.
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 851 cases
Date Tasted: June 27th, 2010

Tasting Notes: The Stoneboat Pinotage is a wine to seek-out each year and enjoy with friends - it's an unique wine that always delivers. However, the 2008 vintage would actually be best served by seeking-out and holding. We recommend a year of bottle aging (up to three years) to allow the wine to settle before popping the cork on this beauty. But not to worry, you will be rewarded by the wait.
 
The raw intensity of the tannins, acids, dark fruit and earthiness on the palate will round and integrate with more time and should create a wonderfully complex and intriguing wine. Full and weighty with excellent balance and finesse. Drink 2011-2016.
 - Liam Carrier

Stoneboat Vineyards 2007 Pinotage - 90+pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2007 Pinotage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Last year's vintage.
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 715 cases
Date Tasted: July 19th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Stoneboat Vineyards sets the bar for Pinotage in BC, not that it's widely planted, but they are the best we've tasted. Year-in, year-out their Pinotage delivers the goods: concentrated flavours and intense aromas. Add food-friendliness and uniqueness and you have a great recipe for a fun bottle of wine.

Intense prune and red berry aromas on the nose are followed by bright dark fruit flavours and earthy notes on the palate. A smooth, full weight in the mouth with round tannins. The wine really does taste like an earthy Pinot Noir crossed with a juicy Cinsaut: its parentage personified. The 2007 is drinking beautifully now, rewarding those who have kept it in their cellar an extra year. Drink 2010-2015.
 - Liam Carrier

Tawse Winery 2008 Laundry Vineyard Cabernet Franc - 91+pts

Tawse Winery 2008 Laundry Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Lincoln Lakeshore) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from winery
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 325 cases
Date Tasted: August 8th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Coffee grounds, tobacco, caramel, juicy plum, barnyard funk and earthy mineral aromas greet you on the nose of this exquisite wine. A prime example of austere and sophisticated Niagara Cabernet Franc with an ultra-smooth, dry palate full of concentrated dark berry fruit flavours and structured, round tannins.

Balanced and complex with a long finish, this dark ruby coloured wine is drinking beautifully now and has the potential for further development in the bottle. A fine pairing for grilled and roasted meats. Drink 2010-2017.
 - Liam Carrier and Hugh Carter

Tawse Winery 2009 Sketches of Niagara Rosé - 86pts

Tawse Winery 2009 Sketches of Niagara Rosé (Niagara Peninsula) Ontario

Availability: Direct from winery. LCBO stores
Cost: $14.95
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: August 7th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Light salmon in colour with a subtle nose of  juicy strawberry, ripe raspberry, tart cranberry and mineral aromas. The light bodied, dry palate offers berry and spice notes with refreshing tartness from cranberry and rhubarb flavours and acidity. The tartness lingers on past the moderate finish making this wine perfect as sunny-deck companion or as a palate cleanser between BBQ courses (or seconds).

A blend of Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, each produced separately and then blended, this Rosé should be enjoyed young to retain its youthful zing. Drink now.
 - Liam Carrier

Tawse Winery 2007 Pinot Noir - 89pts

Tawse Winery 2007 Pinot Noir (Beamsville Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: LCBO vintages stores
Cost: $25-30
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 890 cases
Date Tasted: August 1st, 2010

Tasting Notes: Tawse Winery makes a number of excellent vineyard specific Pinot Noirs (and other varieties) each telling a story of where they come from. This offering is a more subdued blend using fruit from multiple locations. The result is a Pinot that may lack identify of place but has no shortage of character.

The nose offers ripe fruit aromas of cherry, raspberry and plum with vanilla and earthy notes. An echo of sweetness on the otherwise dry palate from the concentrated fruit flavours of dark cheery, raspberry and oak spice. Supportive but never overbearing tannins add structure while the dusty texture lingers with a very well balanced, moderate-plus finish. Drink now through 2014.
 - Liam Carrier

Stratus Vineyards 2007 Red - 92-93pts

Stratus Vineyards 2007 Red (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from winery here. LCBO Vintages. Select private stores in BC like Firefly. California.
Cost: $44 (direct) $50-58 (Private)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 1st, 2010

Tasting Notes: The Stratus Red is the signature red blend from ultra-modern producer Stratus Vineyards. A blend of 7 grapes, the five Bordeaux varietals with Syrah and Gamay, this dark ruby coloured wine offers concentrated aromas of dark cherry, cassis, pencil shavings, coffee grounds, white pepper and oak spice on the exciting nose.

The bone-dry palate with its vibrant, juicy texture offers intense flavours of dark fruits, blueberry, leather, oak and gravel with just a hint of citrus. Bright, ripe tannins are a just tad tight at the moment. We recommend decanting for a few hours if drunk young. This is a fantastic wine that will last a decade or more. Enjoy on its own or with roasted meats. Drink 2011-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010 (with Hugh Carter)

Stratus Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Franc - 90-92pts

Stratus Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Franc (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $38
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 8th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This Cabernet Franc from Niagara-On-The-Lake producer Stratus Vineyards is as smoky and seductive as a cabaret burlesque review. There are intensely concentrated flavours and aromas on offer in this 2007 vintage release. The nose flirts with caramel, toasted oak, cured meets, vanilla and dark fruits. The dry palate excites with blueberry, oak, leather and elegant, super-smooth tannins. A long, balanced finish awaits.

This wine is built to last and would benefit from a year in your cellar. Enjoy on its own or with grilled meets. Drink 2011-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010 (with Hugh Carter)

La Frenz Winery 2009 Chardonnay - 89pts

La Frenz Winery 2009 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery and select private stores.
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: August 22nd, 2010

Tasting Notes: It's hard to think of a better way to spend $20 on a BC Chardonnay. Year-in-year-out the La Frenz "Peaches and Cream" Chardonnay offers astonishing value for what's uncorked, but the 2009 vintage pushes that value just a bit further. The vintage has produced highly concentrated fruit flavours without overshadowing the terroir notes.

Minerals, butter cream, peaches, melons, orchard fruit and a touch of tropical citrus on the nose is followed by super intense orchard fruit and buttery oak flavours on the palate. The acid has been mellowed with malolactic fermentation yet is present enough to balance the creamy, supple texture. A moderate-plus finish completes the experience.

Enjoy this excellent Chardonnay on its own or with a creamy risotto dish. Drink now or hold for another five years for further development. 2010-2016.
 - Liam Carrier

La Frenz Winery 2008 Chardonnay - 88pts

LaFrenz Winery 2008 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Sold-out at the winery. Private wine shops.
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: August 16th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Strong minerality hits you first when pproducer La Frenz Winery, followed by grilled lemon, white peach, light oak and orchard fruit aromas.

The supremely balanced palate offers a welcomed continuity of components with flavours of orchard fruit,  minerality, butter cream, melons, and toasted oak. A touch of tart citrus brightens the ever-so-smooth mouth feel.

This Chardonnay is produced to be drinkable immediately upon release, however, the quality of the fruit and application provides aging possibilities one wouldn't normally get for this price-point. The 2008 is still tasting youthful. Drink now or leave it in your cellar for further development. 2009-2015.
 - Liam Carrier

Stag's Hollow Winery 2008 SHV Chardonnay - 86pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2008 SHV Chardonnay (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery
Cost: $17.99
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 389 cases
Date Tasted: August 14th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This is a quality Chardonnay that screams to be paired with mushroom risotto. The creaminess of the risotto and earthy notes of the mushrooms will compliment the light oak, melon ball and minerality aromas and flavours of the SHV Chardonnay (the "SHV" denotes the estate Stag's Hollow Vineyard where the grapes were sourced). Also in the mix are aromas of pear, butter cream and green apple on the intense nose and flavours of pineapple and grapefruit on the dry palate. A bit of lingering tartness on the moderate palate that would be subtly masked by the accompaniment of food. Drink 2010-2012.
 - Liam Carrier

Also see:
Stag's Hollow Winery 2007 The Heritage Block
Stag's Hollow Winery 2009 Sauvignon Blanc

Stag's Hollow Winery 2009 Sauvignon Blanc - 87pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: VQA stores. Direct from winery
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 1700 cases
Date Tasted: August 14th, 2010

Tasting Notes: The Stag's Hollow 2009 Sauvignon Blanc may be the cure needed for the recent run of incredibly hot weather the Province of British Columbia has been experiencing. Crisp, yet juicy citrus fruits of grapefruit and lemon dominate the nose and palate of this refreshing, pale straw coloured wine. Dry, with just enough residual sugar (2 g/l) to tame the austere acidity and mineral notes nicely. A touch of exotic, tropical fruits on the palate add to the complexity and food-pairing possibilities. Pair with light and fruity summer fare like a fresh salad of mangos, papaya, anise slaw and jerk chicken. Drink now. www.stagshollowwinery.com/
 - Liam Carrier

Also see:
Stag's Hollow Winery 2007 The Heritage Block

Haywire Winery 2009 Switchback Pinot Gris - 87pts

Haywire Winery 2009 Switchback Pinot Gris (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery
Cost: $22.90
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 168 cases
Date Tasted: August 12th, 2010

Tasting Notes: The Switchback Pinot Gris, named for the vineyard site upon which it is grown, is the first release from a new micro-winery in Summerland: Haywire. Proprietors Steve Lornie and Christine Coletta, she of the influential wine marketing firm Coletta and Associates, are starting small with a limited release of estate grown Pinot Gris - just 168 cases. Plans for a Pinot Noir, Rosé and Sparkling Wine are in place and should come online in subsequent years.

The choice to grow Pinot Gris was presumably an attempt to match their Sumerland, East-facing terroir to the appropriate varietal. Their inaugural release suggests this was the right choice as they have produced a very unique and intriguing wine. Good things are in store for Haywire Winery, despite the chaos suggested by the named.

The Switchback Pinot Gris starts with alluring aromas of juicy, baked peaches and minerality, with herbal notes on the nose. The dry palate offers both fruity and savory flavours of citrus fruits, pears and dried herbs. The finish is moderate in length with lingering lemon tartness. Drink now.
 - Liam Carrier

Coyote's Run Estate Winery 2009 Pinot Blanc - 87pts

Coyote's Run Estate Winery 2009 Pinot Blanc (Niagara Peninsula) Ontario

Availability: Direct from winery. LCBO stores
Cost: $17.95
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: August 4th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This lively and refreshing, pale-gold Pinot Blanc from Niagara Peninsula winery Coyote's Run Estate Winery is a near-perfect summer sipper. Pronounced, lemony acid, citrus and stonefruit flavours are complemented by subtle, green apple and sour pear aromas on the nose. Add a touch of off-dry residual sugar to the mix to balance the acidity and you have a recipe for a very refreshing drink on a hot summer's night in Ontario. Pairs well with humidity (and salads). Drink now. www.coyotesrunwinery.com
 - Liam Carrier

See also:
Coyote's Run Estate Winery 2008 Black Paw Vineyard Cabernet Franc

Coyote's Run Estate Winery 2008 Black Paw Cabernet Franc - 88.5pts

Coyote's Run Estate Winery 2008 Black Paw Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Four Mile Creek) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from winery
Cost: $21.95
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: August 6th, 2010

Tasting Notes: From fruit grown exclusively on their Black Paw Vineyard (dark Toledo clay loam), this Coyote's Run Cabernet Franc offers impressive concentration of aromas and flavours for the tough 2008 vintage. Intense aromas of red fruit, baking spice and black tea with earthy and green vegetal notes on the nose. The dry palate has integrated tannins with good acidity and concentrated flavours of plum, blueberry and anise. A slightly chalky texture in the mouth with a moderate-plus finish. Nicely balanced. Drink 2010-2014. www.coyotesrunwinery.com
 - Liam Carrier and Hugh Carter

See also:
Coyote's Run Estate Winery 2009 Pinot Blanc

Stag's Hollow Winery 2007 The Heritage Block - 88-89pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2007 The Heritage Block (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: BCLDB stores. Direct from winery
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 896 cases
Date Tasted: August 11th, 2010

Tasting Notes: I love the name of this meritage blend of 48% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc. "The Heritage Block" sounds noble and historic. It makes you think of a firm, yet gentle character with proven ideas - an appropriate description of the wine itself.

The prominent, yet rounded tannins are a great backbone to the wine offering sound structure and some aging potential. The nose is delightfully intense with prune, cedar and cherry aromas with just a hint of coffee bean and tobacco notes. The palate offers flavours of cassis, plum, vanilla, spicy oak and leather with bright acidity and a moderate-plus finish with lingering spice. The balance is spot on. This is a fun evening sipper on its own or pair with leaner, grilled meats. Drink 2010-2015.
 - Liam Carrier

Also see:
Stag's Hollow Winery 2009 Sauvignon Blanc

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2009 Chardonnay - 90+pts

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2009 Chardonnay (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 11th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This pale, gold-straw coloured beauty opens-up at near room temperature offering juicy, succulent orchard and citrus fruits on the nose with herbal aromatic notes. There is a brightness to its character that is lively and refreshing. This brightness continues on the palate where the naturally high acid hasn't been tempered by a second malolactic fermentation. No butter-bomb notes and flavours with this wine, just quality fruit given a posh, four month bath in 100% new French oak.

The oak treatment results are surprisingly subtle, imparting mostly vanilla and oak spice flavours. The wine remains fresh and vibrant, never feeling weighed down. Enjoy this wine on its own or with food. Drink 2010-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Thirty Bench Estate Winery 2007 Small Lot Chardonnay - 91pts

Thirty Bench Estate Winery 2007 Small Lot Chardonnay (Beamsville Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ont

Availability: Direct from winery. LCBO vintages
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.6%
Production: 547 cases
Date Tasted: August 1st, 2010

Tasting Notes: A superb example of a restrained, complex and very tasty Beamsville Bench Chardonnay. This wine is a master-class on the balance of sugar to acid and the balance of fruit to mineral flsvours and aromas. Both are done beautifully.

The nose offers subtle aromas of apples, lemon rind, ripe pears, steel and malalactic notes. The ever-so-slightly off-dry palate dazzles with flavours of mellons, butter, vanilla, lemon, oak spice and tart citrus acidity. The wine is tasting great now but has the structure to age. Drink now through 2015. www.thirtybench.com
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Thirty Bench Estate Winery 2008 Red - 88pts

Thirty Bench Estate Winery 2008 Red (Beamsville Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ont

Availability: Direct from winery. LCBO stores.
Cost: $24
Alcohol: 13.2%
Production: 2300 cases
Date Tatsed: August 3rd, 2010

Tasting Notes: The Thirty Bench "Red", a blend of Merlot (38%), Cabernet Sauvignon (31%) and Cabernet Franc (31%), may not be the powerhouse Meritage blend that fellow Niagara Peninsula producers like Tawse and Hidden Bench produce but at half the price, you get a solid sipper that over-delivers.

Dry, but with the sense of sweetness coming from the concentrated blackberry and dark fruits. The nose offers youthful aromas of cassis, dark berries, dark cherry, leather, pencil shavings and oak spice. Treated with a year of aging in French and American oak and full malolactic fermentation. The end result is a lovely wine with silky-smooth tannins and a moderate-plus finish with lingering oak spice. Well done. Drink now through 2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Le Clos Jordanne Estate Wines 2007 Talon Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir - 91+pts

Le Clos Jordanne Estate Wines 2007 Talon Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir (Vinemount Ridge) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: LCBO Vintages. Jackson-Triggs Niagara
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 5th, 2010

Tasting Notes: The Talon Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir offers elegant, developing aromas of dark cherry, raspberry seed, oak spice and steely minerality on the nose. The palate recalls the limestone terroir with earthy flavours, austere acidity and smooth, integrated tannins. Very Burgundian in character.

This is a high quality Pinot Noir that has been built to age. We recommend squirreling this beauty away for another year or two for further development. If you can't wait, decant for 2+ hours before serving. Drink 2012-2018.
 - Liam Carrier

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2006 Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir - 90pts

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2006 Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Direct from winery. BCLDB stores
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 13.9%
Production: 1372 cases
Date Tasted: August 5th, 2010

Tasting Notes: The oak treatment (15 months in French oak) is prominent on the nose and palate of this extremely smooth Pinot Noir. The oak acts to frame the concentrated dark cherry and raspberry flavours and aromas creating an expression of bright fruit with smooth, rounded edges. A long finish of lingering oak spice completes the experience.

With four years of aging already, the wine is showing beautifully now and is ready to drink. Good tannin structure and acidity will keep it fresh for another few years. Drink 2010-2015.
 - Liam Carrier