Fort Berens Estate Winery 2011 Pinot Noir Rosé - 85pts

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2011 Pinot Noir Rosé (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $17.99
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 90 cases
Date Tasted: June 27th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This medium ruby-purple hued rosé from Fort Berens is made for the first time with estate grown Pinot Noir from their Lillooet vineyard. The nose offers ripe strawberry Kool-Aid and sweet pollen aromas followed by a dry palate with similar flavours and added minerality. Though mouth watering and refreshing, it's the thin texture and overly tart balance, verging on bitter, that keeps this wine from scoring higher and becoming a favoured patio companion. A solid food wine with many pairing options but not one to be enjoyed on its own. Drink this wine in its youth. Drink 2012-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Neck of the Woods Winery 2010 Backyard Vineyards Merlot - 85pts

Neck of the Woods Winery 2010 Backyard Vineyards Merlot (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $16.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: June 26th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The sweet, juicy, fruit-puree nose of this Merlot offers aromas of blackberry and blueberry with a hint of licorise and dry herbs. A great start. The dry palate follows with similar dark berry fruit flavours and decent tannin structure but finishes with lingering bitterness. Reasonable complexity for the price but not enough to warrant being consumed by itself - serve with a hearty roast or sweet BBQ ribs and its best qualities with stand out. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

M. Chapoutier 2010 Les Vignes de Bila-Haut - 87pts

M. Chapoutier 2010 Les Vignes de Bila-Haut (Côtes-du-Roussillon Villages) Languedoc-Roussillon - France

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $14.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: June 23rd, 2012

Tasting Notes: Not the effortlessly balanced wine of its 2009 predecessor due to a higher level of rustic twang that, when left to its own devices, is more challenging to drink than charming to experience. Yet, the wine remains ever an easy-drinking, feminine, fruit-forward, soft-tannin blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan that boasts of the hot, Mediterranean coastal region terroir from where it originated. Enjoy this wine in its youth on its own or with a beef stew brimming with fresh sage. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Neck of the Woods Winery 2011 Backyard Vineyards Pinot Gris - 85pts

Neck of the Woods Winery 2011 Backyard Vineyards Pinot Gris - BC VQA

Availability: VQA stores and here
Cost: $15.99
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: June 21st, 2012

Tasting Notes: As a blend of fruit from multiple regions this Pinot Gris aims for varietal typicity more than regional identity and succeeds moderately well for the price. Bosc pear, lemon rind and cashew nut aromas greet you on the friendly, subtle nose. The fruit-forward, dry palate follows with apple and pear flavours and a watery texture that's mostly saved with a generous amount of acid. The finish is moderate with lingering citrus fruit and light spice. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2010 White Gold - 91pts

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2010 White Gold (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 98 cases
Date Tasted: June 25th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Fort Berens set-out to make a premium Chardonnay in 2010 with the excellent fruit they were able to source from the Black Sage Bench and succeeded admirably. The wine, a light white gold colour, as the name suggests, is deceptive and engaging. It starts with a pleasant, unassuming nose of orchard fruit and honey dew followed by a gentle, smooth entry on the dry palate thanks to the malolactic fermentation that just over half the wine went through. Then an unexpected wave of opulent, richly textured apple and melon fruit charms your mouth with smoky oak and buttercream flavours adding complexity. The intensity builds through to the crest of concentrated but balanced acidity that brightens the mouth and makes way for the next sip of wine or the next bite of your meal. The finish lingers effortlessly.

This Chardonnay should age well if you have the patience but be sure to open one immediately to experience the as-is charm. Drink 2012-2016+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Bartier-Scholefield 2008 Red Table Wine - 88pts

Bartier-Scholefield 2008 Red Table Wine (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 13.7%
Date Tasted: June 21st, 2012

Tasting Notes: Nice Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot aromas on the nose of this red blend that also includes Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Violets, field berries, cardamon, tomato stock and raspberry skins. The dry, medium-bodied palate follows with a solid expression of red fruit flavours and patient oak influence. Cassis, blackberry and tart boysenberry characters are framed by moderate tannins and mouth-watering acidity. This is certainly a food wine with good balance that would compliment and be complimented by smoky, succulent, Sunday roast. Ready to be enjoyed now. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca
 
Also see:
Bartier-Scholefield 2010 White Table Wine
Bartier-Scholefield 2010 Rosé Table Wine

Haywire Winery 2010 Pinot Noir - 88+pts

Haywire Winery 2010 Pinot Noir (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $27
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 550 cases
Date Tasted: June 18th, 2012

Tasting Notes: 2010 is proving to be a great vintage for BC Pinot Noir - especially for folks who love well-balanced acid in their wines. Too little acid and wines can become flabby and tired. Too much and you can't enjoy them without food to keep your mouth from puckering closed permanently.

This Pinot from Summerland's Haywire Winery uses fruit sourced from Oliver which was endowed with a healthy dose of natural acidity and plenty of raspberry, cranberry and cherry-cola characters on the gorgeous nose and watery palate. The nose is worth taking the time to appreciate and will remind you of ultra-fresh, tart and fleshy red fruit with a touch of lean pepper notes in the background. That pepper is more prominent on the mouth-watering palate, yet still takes a backseat to the red fruit - only to then take the lead on the long finish where it mingles with the acid contributing to the welcomed earthy component of this fruit-forward Pinot.

I first tasted this wine 10 months ago and found it, at the time, quite closed and awkward. Time in the bottle has done wonders for it and another six months or so would be ideal. Drink late-2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2011 Chardonnay - 87pts

Gold Hill Winery 2011 Chardonnay (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery gate. Website info here
Cost: $18
Alcohol: 12.8%
Date Tasted: June 18th, 2012

Tasting Notes: When compared to Gold Hill's tasty and more complex 2010 edition, the 2011 is successfully straight-forward and a tad sweeter on the peach fruit-cup infused palate which finishes fairly tart and crisp. The higher residual sugar is perhaps the reason for the winery's decision to release the 2011 in an Alsatian flute rather than a more traditional Burgundy shaped bottle like the 2010. The sugar also adds texture and contrasts the high acid and sharp green apple fruit flavours nicely making this a good patio companion for the summer. Enjoy this well-executed wine in its youth. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Viña Santa Carolina 2009 Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon - 88pts

Viña Santa Carolina 2009 Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon (Valle Del Maipo) Chile

Availability: BCLDB Signature Stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: June 15th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The nose of this dense and brooding Cabernet Sauvignon is engaging and intense. Dark berry and spicy oak aromas dominate yet there's room for light violet notes and a hint of cinnamon.

Ripe, concentrated, jammy dark fruit follows on the dry palate with smooth tannins and lively acidity. The finish is both juicy and tart, refreshing your mouth for the next sip, but the fruit dissolves a bit too quickly leaving unbalanced burnt oak notes to linger. The wine screams out for hard cheeses like gruyère or double-smoked cheddar which compliment the texture nicely and mask any unbalanced elements. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Gold Hill Winery 2010 Chardonnay - 88pts

Gold Hill Winery 2010 Chardonnay (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery gate. Website info here
Cost: $19
Alcohol: 14.3%
Date Tasted: June 16th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This well-made, un-oaked Chardonnay opens with ripe apple and light grapefruit aromas followed by a dry palate with bright acidity and rich flavours of orchard fruit, honey dew and lime. The finish is long and tart with lingering mineral notes. A very refreshing Chardonnay that should pair nicely with a cold seafood salad or shrimp cocktail. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Gold Hill Winery 2009 Cabernet Franc - 90+pts

Gold Hill Winery 2009 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery gate. Website info here
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 15%
Date Tasted: June 13th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This gorgeous wine exemplifies what Cabernet Franc can achieve at the southern end of the Okanagan Valley when planted in the right places. Lovely aromatic notes of flowers and sweet sage brush on the nose followed by ripe berry fruit, loads of dried herbs and light spice on the dry palate. Opaque, dark ruby in colour with a dense texture, decent complexity, mouth-watering acid and a long finish of blackberry and toasted oak flavours.

Rightfully so, this Franc has been reaping in the awards for Gold Hill since its release last year and shows excellent potential as the signature red wine for their Golden Mile Bench vineyard. Has the structure and specs to last another 3-4 years, maybe more. Some further development is likely but not a given due to the youthfulness of the vineyard. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Gold Hill Winery 2011 Rosé - 85pts

Gold Hill Winery 2011 Rosé (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery gate. Website info here
Cost: $16
Alcohol: 12.2%
Date Tasted: June 8th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The Gold Hill rosé is a strange beast. A blend of Cabernet Franc and Pinot Gris, the grapes were left to cold soak for 2 days after crush which has produced an intense, vibrant, dark ruby colour and more tannins than you normally find in a blush. Its bottling in an Alsatian flute is also an atypical move but one that does announce that you'll be drinking something different.

The nose offers some standard, red fruit rosé aromas with nibs candy and grapey notes. The palate is fairly full for a rosé with off-dry levels of sugar and more red fruit characters. The acid doesn't keep-up with the texture or sweetness leaving the wine to finish a bit flabby. Serve it ice cold as a patio refreshment on a hot day. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Haywire Winery 2011 Switchback Vineyard Pinot Gris - 89pts

Haywire Winery 2011 Switchback Vineyard Pinot Gris (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $23
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 1000 cases
Date Tasted: June th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The common wisdom in the trade is that wine is made in the vineyard. The land, the viticulture decisions and weather account for the upper-limit of quality any wine will would likely achieve from its source grapes. Winemaking, then, is a series of decisions that pilots the wine home to port, keeping it safe from harm and trying to cause as little damage as possible. For the most part I've found this to be true. However, occasionally, a winemaking decision can work to elevate a wine beyond its expected potential and such is the case with Haywire's single vineyard Pinot Gris.

The Summerland firm have chosen to invest in concrete egg fermentation tanks which service all of their wines but it's with the Pinot Gris that the effects of the added lees contact is greatest. The egg shape and integrated tubing serve to control the temperature during fermentation and allow for a continuous circulation of the wine in the tank. The result is a more complete and compelling texture and mouth feel - especially during a cool, acidic year like 2011. Add to the mix the classic BC Pinot Gris citrus, white peach and mineral flavours with the acid and lees character of a still Champagne and you have yourself a tasty treat. Will hold for a few years but is tasting beautifully now, so why wait? Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Hidden Chapel Winery 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon - 88pts

Hidden Chapel Winery 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $23.90
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: June 9th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Hidden Chapel Winery purchases most of its fruit from neighboring growers who allow the small firm to offer an extended list of wines beyond what they can grow themselves. Their 4 acre estate vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, which is used for this single varietal release and which takes advantage of the hot summer days in Oliver and a favourable aspect to the sun.

The 2009 growing season was good for Cabernet Sauvignon which loves the heat and long exposure to the sun. As a result, the fruit has been nicely ripened and avoids the vegetal notes that often plague BC Cabs. A solid, straightforward wine with abundant blackberry fruit on the nose and palate and with added complexity from oak and coffee grind notes. Has the tannins and acid to hold for another 2-3 years but development from young vines is usually minimal. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

The People's Wine Co 2010 Pinot Noir - 86pts

The People's Wine Co 2010 Pinot Noir (Alexandra) Central Otago - New Zealand

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $16-18
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 20th, 2012

Tasting Notes: For a taste of Central Otago Pinot Noir that delivers a nice balance between the classic mushroom/forest floor and red fruit characters we've come to love from New Zealand, it's had to beet The People's Co offering for value.

The fruit on the nose is a tad sharp and unfocused and the palate lacks structure yet this is a tasty and enjoyable Pinot Noir, well-priced for those just discovering one of the world's classic red grapes. Drink now-2013.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

1999 Château Pontet-Canet - 91pts

1999 Château Pontet-Canet (Pauillac) Bordeaux - France

Availability: Limited. Private wine stores special order
Cost: Average $89 USD as per Wine-Searcher.com
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: June 9th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The unheralded 1999 vintage was not a darling with critics yet in the form of this gorgeous and expressive claret, the vintage is showing it can produce some excellent wines with mid-range longevity. A "Fifth Growth" rated Château from the 1855 classification, Pontet-Canet has begun to eclipse most of the higher classed producers on the Left Bank becoming a true "Super Second" to the famed "First Growths" like Mouton-Rothschild, its immediate neighbour to the north. The vineyard boasts 200 acres of prime, well-drained gravelly soil Pauillac real estate where the average age of the vines is 40 to 45 years old.

A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the Pontet-Canet has evolved beautifully over the past 13 years, developing a lovely bouquet and managing to maintain a good balance of acid, fruit and tannin. An elegant presentation of pure fruit with good continuity from the seductive nose through to the dry, dense palate offering notes of blackberry, black cherry, asparagus, dark chocolate, almond butter, and savoury characters like graphite, toasted oak and smoke. Close to peaking but still has another 4-5 years of excellent drinking. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Young and Wyse Collection 2011 Pinot Gris - 88pts

Young and Wyse Collection 2011 Pinot Gris (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 11%
Production: 575 cases
Date Tasted: June 7th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This is the first vintage of Pinot Gris to be released from the Young and Wyse Collection team whose winery rests just north of the Canada/US border beneath Osoyoos. Cool, crisp and masculine with lively stonefruit, lemon/lime, pink grapefruit and peach skin characters and a nice mineral backbone highlighted by a steely finish and a touch of lingering spice. Produced in a Northern Italy Pinot Grigio style, the low alcohol and dry, refreshingly tart palate makes this wine an excellent Summer Sipper and with its screwcap enclosure, should be served by-the-glass at every restaurant with a patio. Enjoy it in its youth. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2011 Riesling - 89pts

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2011 Riesling (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $17.99
Alcohol: 13.6%
Production: 175 cases
Date Tasted: May , 2012

Tasting Notes: Perhaps not the most typical tasting or quaffing Riesling made in BC today with an elevated level of grapefruit acidity and more colour than one expects for such a youthful, stainless steel fermented wine. However, with the release of their first wines produced from 100% estate grown fruit, Fort Berens is proving that Lillooet has something different to offer the consumer, and that something different is exemplified by this unique Riesling.

Both fruity and grassy on the nose with intense aromas of kiwi fruit, green apples, white peach and mango skins followed by a tangy, nearly off-dry palate of both tropical and citrus fruit flavours that finishes tart and refreshing. Lingering spice adds the uniqueness and mystique of this tasty Riesling. Drink 2012-2014+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2009 Merlot - 88-89pts

Gold Hill Winery 2009 Merlot (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery gate. Website info here
Cost: $23
Alcohol: 15.2%
Date Tasted: June 5th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Highly extracted, reminiscent of Aussie reds with a hint of mint and a whopping 15.2% alcohol supporting the association. Yet, beyond that, it's pure South Okanagan dried herbs and big dark berry characters on display which firmly remind you you're drinking a well-made, local Merlot with dense, concentrated flavours and aromas of licorice, tobacco leaf, vanilla, plum and dark chocolate.

Nicely structured tannins and well balanced, tart acidity should keep this wine fresh and lively for another few years with the potential of further development. But, you need not wait as it is tasting lovely right now. Drink 2012-2015+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Gold Hill Winery 2011 Gewurztraminer - 86pts

Gold Hill Winery 2011 Gewurztraminer (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery gate. Website info here
Cost: $18
Alcohol: 12.4%
Date Tasted: May 28th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The nose of this crowd-pleasing Gewurztraminer from Gold Hill Winery bursts out of the glass with explosive lychee and apricot fruit and can actually be sensed from several feet away. That's not an official tasting note mind you, just a remarkable feat. The floral, fruity and sweet bouquet is immediately charming and is sure to curl the sides of your mouth. The full-bodied palate doesn't quite match the intensity of the nose and fades a bit early on the finish, yet, the easy-drinking, fruit-forward presentation will keep you reaching for more. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink 2012-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Chateau Pey La Tour 2010 Grand Vin - 88pts

Chateau Pey La Tour 2010 Grand Vin (Medoc) Bordeaux - France

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $18-20
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 30th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Back-to-back superior vintages (2009 and 2010) has spiked the prices of Classed Growths dramatically leaving bargain wines like the entry-level Pey La Tour to fill the void of affordable Bordeaux which seems to be a dying species. Luckily, for the average consumer looking for a drop of Aquitaine these "vintages of the century" have also done wonders for the less glorified wines of the region - especially for the 2010 vintage which proved to be dryer than the much lauded and hotter 2009. A "Classic" vintage to the Bordelais.

This Merlot dominant blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in cameo roles, offers nicely structured red and blue fruits with herbs and tobacco notes and impressive balance. Despite its lowly "Bordeaux AOC" label, the lowest ranked classification a wine can achieve and still call itself a vin du Bordeaux, this wine has character and good typicity for the vintage and region, all for under $20.

The new screw-top enclosure will only benefit the style shift towards more approachable and fruit-friendly wines at this price-point and should allow for worry-free aging should you be so inclined. Development is usually minimal for these lighter Bordeaux wines but may be worth the experiment - and it won't cost you much. Drink 2012-15.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca