Mollydooker Wines 2009 Enchanted Path - 93pts

Mollydooker Wines 2009 Enchanted Path (McLaren Vale) South Australia - Australia

Availability: BCLDB and Private wine shops
Cost: $100-110
Alcohol: 15.5%
Date Tasted: March 21st, 2012

Tasting Notes: Enchanted Path is Mollydooker's elite Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon blend which uses fruit grown on the winery's Gateway and Prime vineyards in McLaren Vale.  Barrel fermented and then aged in American (97%) and French (3%) oak, the final blend is a 66/34% split of Shiraz to Cabernet. The wine delivers classic characteristics of both varieties with the dark cassis fruit and eucalyptus from the Cab complimenting the spicy red fruit from the Shiraz. Fine tannins structure the blend very well and their controlled robustness suggests further development with another year or two of bottle aging. Drink 2013-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Mollydooker Wines 2009 Carnival of Love - 94-95pts

Mollydooker Wines 2009 Carnival of Love (McLaren Vale) South Australia - Australia

Availability: BCLDB and Private wine shops
Cost: $100-110
Alcohol: 15.5%
Date Tasted: March 21st, 2012

Tasting Notes: When compared to the winery's iconic Velvet Glove, the Carnival of Love shiraz is a bit more attention seeking and blatantly superb. The Avis rental cars of elite level Shiraz - it has to try a little harder. This effort tends to make it, again comparatively, a better bargain than the aforementioned icon wine, delivering most of the refinement and all, if not more, of the concentration and pure expression of fruit. A trophy wine to be sure, but one you're likely to actually open. Drink Now-2020+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

On a side note: If you stand a bottle of Carnival of Love next to its cousin, the Enchanted Path, the two labels make one complete design linking the stories of all the Mollydooker wines together.

Mollydooker Wines 2009 Velvet Glove - 95-96pts

Mollydooker Wines 2009 Velvet Glove (McLaren Vale) South Australia - Australia

Availability: Limited. BCLDB and Private wine shops
Cost: $250
Alcohol: 15.5%
Date Tasted: March 21st, 2012

Tasting Notes: For a truly iconic and cellar worthy wine, the Velvet Glove Shiraz is surprisingly approachable in its youth. The massive concentration is so well refined and balanced that just a drop on your tongue will express enough character for you to remember that moment forever. The sweet plum fruit opulence and silky smooth texture is described by the winemaking team as "fruit weight" for which they award it a near perfect score. Whatever the language used, this wine sits in your mouth like it was destined to be there. The finish goes on and on with complex layers of fruit and savoury flavours. Drink now-2024+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Château de Beaucastel 2009 Chateauneuf-du-Pape - 92-94pts

Château de Beaucastel 2009 Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Rhone Valley) France

Availability: BCLDB Signature stores
Cost: $90
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 1st, 2012

Tasting Notes: Not quite the powerhouse the 2007 vintage delivered, yet, unmistakable Chateauneuf expression of concentrated, rich dark fruit, warm rock, garrique and tobacco characters. The opulent, ripe fruit is balanced nicely with crisp acidity and presented in the ultra-fine, silky smooth manner we expect from the iconic Château.
The 2009 is tasting quite youthful today and would benefit from a patient slumber in one's cellar - a further 2-3 years should do it. Drink 2014-2025+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Viña MontGras 2009 Antu Syrah - 88-89pts

Viña MontGras 2009 Antu Syrah (Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $21.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 23rd, 2012

Tasting Notes: Produced from fruit grown in the Ninquén Mountain Vineyard, Chile's first high altitude vineyard. The style is a close match to the Syrah made in the Okanagan: a nice blend of New World fruit and Old World terroir without the over ripeness from too much heat and extraction. Well balanced with good complexity and concentration for the price with a tasty spectrum of dark and red fruits on display. Has the tannins and acid to age well, should you care to wait, but is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2012-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2011 Gewurztraminer - 88pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2011 Gewurztraminer (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $16.99
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 4627 cases
Date Tasted: March 21st, 2012

Tasting Notes: Quails' Gate makes a delightful Gewurztraminer every year, loaded with ripe honey dew, lychee fruit and sweet orange blossom aromas with light mineral and spicy notes.

The palate is oily, chewy and off-dry, typical for the Alsatian variety. What makes the 2011 memorable is the rich fruit flavours are balanced with a higher level of acidity from the cooler, late harvest vintage. Enjoy this wine in its youth. The lingering citrus and spice flavours with pair nicely with a tangy spinach salad with walnuts, beets and goat's cheese. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Antinori 2008 Solaia - 92+pts

Antinori 2008 Solaia (Tuscany) Italy

Availability: BCLDB Signature stores
Cost: $250
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 1st, 2012

Tasting Notes: This blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc, aged in 100% new oak, opens with a gorgeous, delicate nose of sweet cassis and blackberry fruit aromas and light earthy notes. The youthful, acidic palate follows with layers of berry, smoke and sun-drenched rocks flavours supported by a lovely weight and soft, fine tannins. Not overly intense, yet balanced and complex. The short finish leaves one wanting a bit more length for the price.

This is a fabled Super-Tuscan that really doesn't need any more press in order to sell (or not sell), but for the uninitiated and curious, for equal the fun and quality, my recommendation is to seek-out a bottle of Antinori Tignanello and leave the Solaia to the hard-core collectors who aren't concerned about the concept of "value". Drink 2014-2010.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Paul Hobbs Winery 2009 Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard - 95-97pts

Paul Hobbs Winery 2009 Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard (St. Helena) Napa Valley - California

Availability: Limited
Cost: $180-200
Alcohol: 15.2%
Date Tasted: March 1st, 2012

Tasting Notes: Dense, complex and focused to the nth degree, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon single vineyard release nears perfection. Aged in 100% new oak for 20 months, the wine seems to have soaked-up every once of character it could extract from the barrel and blended it, effortlessly, with the naturally endowed spectrum of dark fruit and earth flavours bestowed upon the Beckstoffer Dr, Crane Vineyard fruit. A special occasion wine for the celebration you're expecting sometime in 2014 when this wine will start to come into its own. Drink 2014-2022+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Paul Hobbs Winery 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon - 92+pts

Paul Hobbs Winery 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) California - USA

Availability: BCLDB Signature stores
Cost: $100
Alcohol: 15%
Date Tasted: March 1st, 2012

Tasting Notes: A Cabernet Sauvignon with great concentration and refinement produced from fruit sourced from multiple AVAs in Napa Valley. 2% Petite Verdot added to the blend adds a touch of spice to the dense blackberry and cassis fruit flavours. Though concentrated and powerful, the wine is anything but over-done showing impressive restaint and beauty. To get any more focus from a Napa Cab you'd have to go to a single vineyard release. Aged in 74% new oak for 20 months resulting in a stunning wine with length and depth. Drinking well now but should develop further with patient cellaring. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2001 Oldfield Series Merlot - 90pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2001 Oldfield Series Merlot (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Winery direct
Price: n/a
Alcohol: 14.8%
Data Tasted: March 14th, 2012

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. It's not often that one gets to try a BC wine that has aged for 11 years - even less so when the wine has aged as well as this Merlot. Dark garnet in colour with a watery rim, the wine doesn't hide its age - it wears it like a trophy and offers a lovely, developed bouquet of raspberry-mocha, graphite and Christmas cake spices on the nose. The palate has remained lively with dark berry fruit and spicy oak flavours floating above fine, mellowed tannins, mouth watering acidity and subtle earthy notes. The finish is moderate, if not a tad short, but well balanced.

This wine has peaked and may not last more than another year or two - especially if your bottle was sealed with cork as opposed to a Stelvin screw cap which may add extra time. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Also see:
Of Stelvin and Corks

Viña Errázuriz 2009 Max Reserva Syrah - 87pts

Viña Errázuriz 2009 Max Reserva Syrah (Aconcagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: A touch of sweetness accompanies the gorgeous nose of the Max Reserva Syrah. Licorice, cherry liqueur aromas stand out above classic red fruit and spice layers. A more straight-forward palate follows with intense black cherry, round spice and balsamic flavours. Manages to be dense without being heavy or jammy. A well-rounded and well-priced Syrah. Drink 2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2009 Merlot - 87+pts

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

Availability: Sold out. New vintage in June, 2012
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: March 4th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A refreshing, mineral and dark berry puree flavoured Merlot from Naramata Bench producer La Frenz Winery whose balance is a tad tart with light spice and fine tannins complimenting the concentrated, lively mouth feel. Ends with a long finish and lingering blueberry fruit and anise notes. Pair with a dark-chocolate lava cake desert. Enjoy this wine now or over the next 2-3 years. Drink Now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Viña Arboleda 2009 Syrah - 87pts

Viña Arboleda 2009 Syrah (Aconcagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $21.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: A quality, cool-climate Syrah from the Aconcagua Valley offering pronounced aromatics on the nose with both fruit and savoury flavours on the palate. Violets and rose petal aromas are followed by concentrated raspberry, coffee grinds, smoke, mineral and black pepper notes. Finish is a bit short for the price point. Crisp acidity makes this a fine vin de table. Drink 2012-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Cave Saint Desirat 2009 Syrah - 85pts

Cave Saint Desirat 2009 Syrah (Vin de Pays d'Ardeche) France

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $15
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: March 12th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Produced from fruit grown in the Northern Rhone AOC of Saint-Joseph but of lower quality and unable to be labeled as such. This Syrah, branded for the export market, delivers reasonable typicity for Rhone Valley Syrah offerring rustic funk and earthy garrique aromas with raspberry seed and ripe plum flavours. The balance is a tad sharp and the funky nose may not appeal to Old World wine beginners, but there is plenty of character for a $15 bottle of wine that is worth exploring. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Viña Tamaya 2010 Reserve Syrah - 88-89pts

Viña Tamaya 2010 Reserve Syrah (Limari Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores. Spec order
Cost: $19
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: Inspired by Northern Rhone vinification techniques, this Syrah is co-fermented with 5% Viognier and aged in French oak for 9-12 months creating an enticing Syrah with good minerality and aromatic elements. Black olive, violet, blackberry and dark cherry characters aplenty. Sits bright in the mouth with strong acid and tannins and would benefit from another year of bottle aging. Drink 2013-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

De Martino 2008 Alto Los Toros Syrah - 91pts

De Martino 2008 Alto Los Toros Syrah (Elqui Valley) Chile

Availability: Limited. Private wine stores or special order
Cost: $45
Alcohol: 14.4%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: At 1600m above sea level, the Elqui Valley vineyards which produce the fruit for this impressive Syrah and Petit Verdot blend (85-15%), are some of the highest altitude plantings in the world. The result is an excellent, dense, cool-climate Syrah with concentrated licorice, vanilla and red fruit flavours and loads of spicy, mineral notes. Big, cracked pepper flavours linger on the long finish. Drink 2012-2016+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Viña Ventisquero 2007 Pangea Syrah - 91-92pts

Viña Ventisquero 2007 Pangea Syrah (Alpalta) Colchagua Valley - Chile

Availability: Limited. Private wine stores
Cost: $59.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: Another great Chilean Syrah produced under the direction of former Penfold's Grange winemaker John Duval (who knows a few things about how to make a tasty Syrah) offering complexity, elegance and a pure expression of the Rhone Valley variety. A full bodied wine that although offers plenty of classic Syrah red fruit notes, tends to be memorable for its layers of savoury and robust characters like smoked meats and white pepper. A cool, mineraly palate has fine, developed tannins and a moderate-plus finish of subtle, lingering spice. Drink 2012-2020+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Viña Montes 2007 Montes Folly - 93pts

Viña Montes 2007 Montes Folly (Alpalta Valley) Colchagua Valley - Chile

Availability: BCLDB Signature and private wine stores
Cost: $86.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: The expressive nose and silky palate present rich blackberry and blueberry fruit notes that are complimented with elegant toasted oak and warm earth characters. Extremely well balanced with solid structure from refined, developed tannins. Produced from 17-18 year old vines that are really producing some amazing fruit. Aged in French oak for 18 months with a further 12 months+ of bottle aging prior to release.

The acid is up and the richness on the palate is down when compared to the utterly stunning 2006 release, yet the wine remains the champion of all South American Syrah and the wine to gauge against. Drinking beautifully now with a cellar worthy track record that should keep this wine a fixture in your collection for another 8-10 years. Drink 2012-2020+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Geo Wines 2009 Chono Syrah Reserva - 88+pts

Geo Wines 2009 Chono Syrah Reserva (Elqui Valley) Chile

Availability: Limited. Private wine stores or special order
Cost: $18
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: There's an impressive amount of elegance and diversity packed into this under $20 Syrah from Geo Wines. Produced in the Elqui Valley, one of Chile's most northern and driest wine regions, this savoury, terroir expressing Syrah offers a gorgeous palate of oak spice, minerals, smoked meats, leather and dark, brooding fruit. Has the tannins and acid to keep another 4+ years and may develop further, but don't let that keep you from enjoying it right way. Drink 2012-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Tawse Winery 2009 Sketches of Niagara Riesling - 90pts

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

Availability: Limited. Look for 2010 release
Cost: $17.95
Alcohol: 10%
Date Tasted: February 29th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A beautifully simplistic and exquisitely well balanced Riesling that shows like a fine, off-dry German export with a nice bite of acid to off-set the opulent lemon/lime and asian pear sweetness. Has great appeal for spicy food pairing. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2009 Cabernet Franc - 91pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2009 Cabernet Franc (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $33
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: February 29th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The always appreciated Franc Funk is back in the 2009 vintage release of Burrowing Owl's single varietal release. The funk adds complexity and charm to the already very pleasing nose of super ripe mixed berries and licorice - a nose that I could sniff all day long. Concentrated red fruit, sweet oak and mild, persistent spice follows on the elegant palate with well balanced levels of tannin and acid. The finish lingers lovingly in your mouth. Delicious and ready to be enjoyed now. Drink 2012-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Oyster Bay Wines 2010 Sauvignon Blanc - 87pts

Oyster Bay Wines 2010 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) New Zealand

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB and private stores
Cost: $17-20
Alcohol: 13.3%
Date Tasted: February 26th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with loads of gooseberry, green apple, sweet grass and lemon drop aromas and flavours without pungent cat's pee notes. Dry, with a touch of residual sugar to offset the mouth watering acid. Light oily texture adds body to the mouth feel. Refreshing tartness and lemon linger on the moderate finish. A tasty, crisp treat. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca