Little Straw Vineyards 2011 Tapestry - 89pts

Little Straw Vineyards 2011 Tapestry (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $16.90
Alcohol: 11%
Production: 1000 cases
Date Tasted: September 27th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The aptly named Tapestry, weaves together the varietal characters of Riesling, Auxerrois, Gewurztraminer, Siegerrebe and Schonburger. Light potpuri, rose, lychee, citrus and Asian pear aromas make for a pleasing, joyous nose and the perfect prelude to the off-dry, vibrant and tangy palate to follow. Apple, pear, pineapple, papaya and grapefruit flavours are supported by a nice balance between the full-ish texture produced from 17 g/l of residual sugar and the proportionate citrus acid that leaves a tangy finish with hints of mineral and spice notes. Easy drinking, to be sure, but with more going on than your average crowd-pleasing, off-dry white blend. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Little Straw Vineyards 2008 La Petite Paille Pinot Noir - 86pts

Little Straw Vineyards 2008 La Petite Paille Pinot Noir (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $21.90
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 172 cases
Date Tasted: September 27th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This Pinot Noir begins with a truly memorable nose of ripe, freshly picked, Okanagan cherries with nice undertones of rich oak and light forest aromas. An impressive start that is let-down by the disjointed, sharply edged palate whose promising forest floor and red fruit flavours are overpowered by the acid and not supported by the light-to-medium tannins and watery texture. The body fades quickly leaving lingering cranberry tartness on the finish. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

On a side note: La Petite Paille refers to the West Kelowna winery's reserve tier of wines which uses the French translation of Little Straw and a simpler, classic lable.

Oak Bay Vineyard 2011 Gewurztraminer - 87pts

Oak Bay Vineyard 2011 Gewurztraminer (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $16.75
Alcohol: 11.8%
Date Tasted: September 25th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The long, cool growing season of 2011 was successful for the naturally low-acid Gewurztraminer grapes allowing them to ripen and develop a nice bite to help balance the off-dry style that Oak Bay Vineyard employs.

The nose is muted, but when given time to warm-up a little, will reveal nice apricot and Asian pear aromas. However, this wine is all about a tasty, crowd-pleasing palate which delivers the fullness we expect from Gewurztraminer, without being overly chewy (thanks, again, to the acidity) and the flavour profile we rely on, spicy and tangy, to pair with our favourite Asian food.

The back label suggests a "classic" Alsatian style, but really this is a true BC "Goo" through and through and that's something to be proud of. Drink 2012-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2009 Gamay Noir - 87pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2009 Gamay Noir (Niagara-on-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and LCBO stores
Cost: $12.95
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 1829 cases
Date Tasted: September 20th, 2012

Tasting Notes: For their straight varietal release of Gamey Noir, Chateau Des Charmes let's the fruit speak for itself with minimal intervention and no oak. The result is a fruit-forward wine with more complexity than you might expect from Gamay proving that the grape does very well on the Niagara Peninsula. A traditional nose of bright and spicy red fruit is nicely supported by light, earthy aromas and floral notes. The palate shares a similar flavour profile with added cherry cola and light citrus fruit. Tannins are soft playing second fiddle to the prominent acid which leaves your mouth refreshed after each sip.

This is the perfect wine for a Thanksgiving feast of roasted turkey, especially the succulent dark meat. At this price you can afford a few bottles to make sure the whole table gets a glass or two! Drink now-2014.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

J Vineyards and Winery 2009 Chardonnay - 90pts

J Vineyards and Winery 2009 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) Sonoma County - California

Availability: Costco and direct from winery here
Cost: $25-30
Alcohol: 14.3%
Production: 8000 cases
Date Tasted: August 29th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This is the right kind of California oaked Chardonnay; big and buttery without the loss of balance. Melon, caramel apple and pear aromas greet you on the intense nose followed by similar flavours on the rich, textured palate with added white chocolate, lime rind and lychee notes. The finish is long and refined with a light mineral edge. Very food friendly for cream sauce pastas and risotto dishes or enjoy a chilled glass as you sit by the fire this winter. Drink 2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2011 Renaissance Sauvignon Blanc - 89+pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2011 Renaissance Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 13.3%
Production: 90 cases
Date Tasted: September 18th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The Renaissance Sauvignon Blanc distinguishes itself from the winery's varietal release with its use of 100% barrel fermentation in new oak and active lees contact. Despite this, the wine never feels heavy or overdone like many-a-Fumé Blanc from California, while the lees contact adds complexity in the form of sweet brioche notes on the nose and texture on the palate. Refreshing citrus flavours grace the balanced palate with crisp, steely notes on the mineral-y finish. Drink 2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2010 Renaissance Pinot Noir - 90+pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2010 Renaissance Pinot Noir (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 14.2%
Production: 236 cases
Date Tasted: September 18th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The Renaissance Pinot Noir is produced from 100% Estate Grown fruit from the winery's home vineyard in Okanagan Falls. Winemaker Dwight Sick wanted the fruit to express their unique terroir, a picturesque hidden valley above highway 97 and thus oak influence has been limited to 2nd fill French oak. The result is certainly a lively and expressive Pinot with gorgeous fruit and terroir based characters. Concentrated and relatively robust, not a Pinot for the faint of heart.

Both the nose and palate transition nicely from an intense red fruit intro through to a more reflective warm earth finish. Complex, long and very tasty.

This is only the 3rd vintage of Pinot Noir over the past 10 years to be elevated to the winery's reserve tier Renaissance - very appropriate as 2010 has produced some amazing examples in the Okanagan Valley. A great entry in to the premium BC Pinot market that should age nicely for 4-5 years with further development. Drink 2012-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2010 St. David's Bench Vineyard Aligoté - 87pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2010 St. David's Bench Vineyard Aligoté (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and LCBO stores
Cost: $13.55
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 1573 cases
Date Tasted: September 13th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The lesser-known white Burgundy grape, Aligoté, is rare in the Canadian market both as an import and as a home-grown wine. Chateau Des Charmes from the Niagara Peninsula may produce Canada's only bottling of 100% Aligoté, while others have experimented with the high-yielding vine in blends. The Chateau Des Charmes release is a successful wine its combination of fresh acidity, spicy stonefruit, tangy citrus notes and balanced, lingering tartness. Priced as an under $15 value wine, perhaps not doing the wine justice, though consumers will benefit greatly for having a tasty, refreshing, food-friendly wine to choose from when purchasing for an upcoming dinner party. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2010 Reserve Chardonnay - 91-92pts

JoieFarm 2010 Reserve Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 434 cases
Date Tasted: September 12th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Another stellar vintage of Chardonnay from JoieFarm who each year release an amazingly consistent reserve-tier, robust, age-worthy wine, no matter what the growing season seems to throw their way. For 2010 the big, beautiful and enticing nose opens with a bouquet of tropical fruit, minerals, oak and leesy notes that have already developed nicely. On the dry palate that follows, balance between the ripe fruit, lean mineral notes, lively acid and the rich barrel characters is managed brilliantly created a Chardonnay with depth and intrigue: you want to taste more. Ready to be enjoyed now yet has the specs and pedigree to age well (see recent notes on the 2006).  Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Le Clos Jordanne Estate Wines 2007 Le Grand Clos - 93+pts

Le Clos Jordanne Estate Wines 2007 Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir (Jordan Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Limited. Jackson-Triggs Niagara
Cost: $70
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 409 cases
Date Tasted: August 5th, 2012

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. Sometimes it pays to splurge a bit more for an experience you won't soon forget. Yes, it's Canada's most expensive Pinot Noir, but is it Canada's best? There's an argument for 'yes' with its sublime nose of cherry, plum, pepper, cinnamon and popcorn kernel aromas and with its memorable, well balanced and fine tannin filled palate of kirsch, cherry and magic marker flavours. Of course, you'll decide for yourself if it is or isn't "the best" and either 'yah' or 'nay' you'll enjoy the debate. Still youthful after 5 years with easily another 5 to go, if not more. Drink 2013-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Tawse Winery 2009 Robyn's Block Vineyard Chardonnay - 90+pts

Tawse Winery 2009 Robyn's Block Vineyard Chardonnay (Twenty Mile Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Limited. 2010 vintage now available. Direct from winery here
Cost: $45-50
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: August 29th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The Robyn's Block Chardonnay begins with a subtle nose of sweet pear, minerals, tangerine and green apple aromas that evolve in the glass to reveal more layers beneath of light melon notes. The fresh and still youthful palate is not laden with heavy oak and almost comes across as un-oaked if not for the vanilla and light spice notes behind the orchard fruit flavours. Should develop even further over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2013-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2009 Viognier - 90pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2009 Viognier (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. Select private and VQA stores.
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: August 28th, 2010
Re-Tasted: September 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: This is the first release of Viognier from Black Hills Estate Winery and it is a winner. Rich, concentrated flavours and aromas with a masculine, austere character. Pairs well with food (spicy Thai for example) and is an all-round pleaser. An impressive first vintage.

Medium-plus intense aromas of minerals, stone fruit, honey, aromatic flowers, peaches, tropical fruit, orange rind and light oak. Good continuity of flavours through to the dry palate with more austere mineral notes and a nice lingering spice on the moderate-plus finish.

Our only complaint is that the balance is ever-so-slightly tilted towards the hot side with 14.2% alcohol. A minor fault masked when served with food. All in all, this is another excellent BC Viognier for which the hot and dry 2009 season offered excellent growing conditions. This Rhone Valley varietal has a bright future in the Okanagan Valley. Drink now or cellar for another 1-2 years for further development. Drink 2010-2015.

Re-Tasted Notes: Took own advice and recently opened a bottle that had been cellared for 2 years with excellent results. The tropical fruit characters have come to the forefront while the acid has mellowed a tad, but the overall balance has actually improved slightly with the alcohol now seamlessly integrated. Good length and yet to peak, though, I would put the drinking window at 2010-2014 now. The score remains a solid 90-pts wine.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery 2006 Terroir Cache - 89pts

Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery 2006 Terroir Cache (Beamsville Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Sold Out. Visit winery for library release info here
Cost: $35-40 est
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: August 28th, 2012

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. This Meritage blend from Hidden Bench has gained some international press being entered into the likes of the Decanter World Wine Awards and fairing well. An assemblage of 50% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 12% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon with a gorgeous bouquet of cassis framed by light earth and cinnamon notes followed by a muted and slightly sharp-edged palate with mellowed tannins and flavours of dark fruits and oak.

Though the nose is still enchanting, sadly, this wine has peaked and already begun its inevitable decline losing some cohesion on the palate. Drink now.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Dunham Cellars 2010 Riesling - 90-92pts

Dunham Cellars 2010 Riesling (Walla Walla) Columbia Valley AVA - Washington State

Availability: Costco or direct from winery here
Cost: $14.99
Alcohol: 11.8%
Date Tasted: August 26th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This single vineyard (Lewis Estate Vineyard) is loaded with mineral and citrus fruit on the aromatic nose and off-dry palate. Full bodied and quite unctuous with added honeydew, grapefruit and light spice notes balanced well with tangy citrus acid creating a refreshing finish. Has the specs and will to age nicely. Lay yours down for 2+ years to allow its full character to reveal itself. Drink 2014-2020+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Dunham Cellars 2008 Trutina - 91pts

Dunham Cellars 2008 Trutina (Walla Walla) Columbia Valley - Washington State

Availability: Costco and direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 14.1%
Date Tasted: August 28th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A proprietary blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Syrah and 16% Merlot with an inviting nose of sweet, ripe dark-red fruit where most, if not all three components have gone through a secondary malolactic fermentation contributing palate-coating butter characters and mannered acidity. Still fresh and mouth-watering, the acid balances the concentrated, rich cherry and blackberry fruit on the dry palate. Nice toasted oak, milk chocolate and licorice spice flavours add depth. Though an easy-drinking wine, it's quite complex and nicely layered. Still youthful after 4 years and should begin to peak in 2-3 more but further development may be minimal with the wine already in harmony and well balanced as the Latin name "Trutina" suggests. Drink 2012-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2010 Moscato - 90pts

Cassini Cellars 2010 Moscato (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24 (375ml)
Alcohol: 19.6%
Production: 110 cases
Date Tasted: September 3rd, 2012

Tasting Notes: The success of this dessert wine is in its ability to stay rather fresh and relatively light in the mouth despite the nearly 20% alcohol and substantial residual sugar - a tall order. This charming, honeydew and spicy peach flavoured wine opens with a lovely nose of pecans, tangerines and violets and will compliment your favourite nutty pie or crème brûlée rather than compete with it. Ready to be enjoyed now and though it will hold for many years I'd recommend early consumption while the wine is still youthful and fresh with well-balanced acidity. Drink 2012-2014+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2010 PTG - 90+pts

JoieFarm 2010 PTG (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here upon release
Cost: $23.90
Alcohol: 13.7%
Production: 843 cases
Date Tasted: September 3rd, 2012

Tasting Notes: This year's PTG sees the Gamay Noir rise to 52% of the traditional Burgundian "Passe-Tout-Grains" blend with Pinot Noir. A welcomed rise which infuses more tangy and spicy red fruit on to the concentrated nose and lush palate. Aged in French oak for 10 months with only 15% new allowing the natural characters of the Pinot Noir and Gamay fruit to dominate the profile while contributing only secondary aromas and flavours of toasted oak. Supported by a nice backbone of mouth-watering, but not sharp, acid and fine, medium tannins. The long finish will add a pleasing dose of spice to accompanying food (think traditional Burgundian fare like Coq au Vin). Ready to be enjoyed now or hold for another 5-6 years with potential improvement. Drink 2012-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Cakebread Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - 90-92pts

Cakebread Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) - California

Availability: BCLDB Signature Stores
Cost: $100
Alcohol: 14.4%
Date Tasted: August 26th, 2012

Tasting Notes: At five years of age this Cabernet is still quite youthful in appearance, a dark ruby hue, and in its development. Concentrated, sweet cassis and blackberry pie fruit aromas blend nicely with French vanilla, mocha, licorice and toasted oak notes on the intense nose. The concentration and youthful flavour profile continues on the dry palate with added spice and an iron backbone. Tannins are fine but moderate with bright acidity that leans the overall balance a bit towards tart. Best served by waiting another 1-2 years before opening to make the most of your investment. Drink 2014-2020+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2006 Reserve Chardonnay - 90pts

JoieFarm 2006 Reserve Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Sold out
Cost: $35 (est)
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: August 24th, 2012

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. At 6 years of age this Chardonnay, by BC wine standards, is a senior citizen enjoying the twilight of its life... or is it? Aromas of butter, pear, apple and minerals have evolved into a lovely bouquet filled with honeydew and smoky stonefruit notes. The palate's green apple tang has mellowed, yet the lively acid is still present and still grounding the lush fruit and rich oak flavours. It shows no signs of being in decline and should remain a perfect match for mushroom risotto for another few years. Delicious! Drink now-2015+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2010 Reserve Pinot Noir - 88pts

JoieFarm 2010 Reserve Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $39.90
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 189 cases
Date Tasted: August 27th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The first single varietal release of Pinot Noir for JoieFarm whose previous relationship with the heartbreak grape was limited to their popular PTG blend of Pinot and Gamay. Part of the winery's new expanded list of Reserve tier wines, this is a fruit-forward and fresh expression of the thin-skinned grape offering lively aromas of cherry, baking spice, light oak and raisin. The dry palate has good continuity from the nose with a similar flavour profile of red fruits wrapped in moderate tannins and acidity then capped by an easy-drinking mouth feel. Not an overly complex Pinot but a well executed one. Ready to be enjoyed now with duck or other game-y meets. Drink 2012-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca