Fort Berens Estate Winery 2010 Cabernet Franc - 90+pts

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2010 Cabernet Franc (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC

Availability: Direct from winery's shop
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 14.3%
Production: 136 cases
Date Tasted: October 28th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Produced from fruit sourced from the Black Sage Bench near Oliver this is a big Cabernet Franc with herbal and berry characters to spare. Dense and intriguing on the dark berry nose enhanced with sage, menthol, vanilla bean, oak spice and light anise aromas. The dry, well-balanced palate follows with blackberry, mineral and oak flavours framed by prominent, round tannins and mouth-watering acidity. Tannins and blackberry puree lingers on the finish. Though drinking well now (with generous decanting) I'd recommend a further 6 months of bottle age before opening to let the tannins integrate a tad more. Drink 2013-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

On a side note: As the winery moves towards using more estate-grown fruit in its wines, I hope they keep their two Black Sage Bench beauties (this Franc and the firm's Meritage) in the portfolio as-is. They manage to capture the essence of the Southern Okanagan better than even some of the local wineries.

Stag's Hollow Winery 2011 GVM - 89+pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2011 GVM (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $27.99
Alcohol: 13.6%
Production: 69 cases
Date Tasted: September 18th, 2012
Date Re-Tasted: October 28th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Loving all things Rhône, winemaker Dwight Sick produces a blend which plays homage to the herbal, rich and fragrant wines of Côtes du Rhône AOC. Consisting of  63% White Grenache, 22% Viognier and 15% Marsanne, this charming wine offers a subtle nose layered with citrus fruit, savoury herbs and Asian pear aromas. The palate explodes with a textural battle between the mouth watering effects of fresh acidity and the mouth coating qualities of rich tropical fruit and light tannins. The acid wins leaving the finish crisp and tangy. May develop further with some more time in the bottle. Drink 2013-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Oldfield Series Merlot - 89pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $28.99
Alcohol: 15.3%
Date Tasted: October 24th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A very consistent wine, year-to-year, perfect for red meat and chocolate plate pairings thanks to its combination of dense, dark berry and savoury, licorice'n'cola aromas and flavours. More brood-y than truly brooding, with middleweight tannins that have mellowed over the three years it has already spent in waiting. Finish is a bit short with the balance skewed "hot", minimizing the lingering spice and tannin tastes. Ready to go now, though should hold for a few more years if desired. Drink 2012-2015+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2011 Chardonnay - 88pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $18
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 288 cases
Date Tasted: October 22nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: A gold-coloured Chardonnay produced from both estate-grown fruit in Lillooet and Black Sage Bench fruit near Oliver (a 60-40 split). A rich Chard trending toward tropical on the fruit spectrum with ripe melon, pineapple, papaya and Bosc pear notes. There's a sexy kiss of oak on the nose and palate that effortlessly adds depth while steely minerality and citrus acidity keeps the wine refreshing through to the moderate finish. An impressive baby brother to the winery's outstanding White Gold Chardonnay. Drink 2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

E. Guigul 2009 La Doriane - 91-92pts

E. Guigul 2009 La Doriane (Condrieu) Rhone Valley - France

Availability: Specialty wine shops
Cost: $90-120
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: October 16th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A powerhouse Viognier from Condrieu with cured meats, violet, pear and apple aromas on the intensely rich nose. The palate is unctuous; oozing concentrated flavours of apricots, pears, lychee, minerals and light spices through to a long-lived and balanced finish. Lifted acidity keeps the fullness in check. Should develop nicely for a decade. Drink 2012-2019.

- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2011 23 Camels Red - 87pts

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2011 23 Camels Red (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC

Availability: Direct from winery's shop
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 292 cases
Date Tasted: October 20th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A youthful wine, by design, that aims to please with a blend of dry blue fruits, hard cherries, smooth spices, soft tannins, vibrant acidity and herbal notes. Each element compliments the other making this easy-going brew of 65% Cabernet Franc, 17.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17.5% Merlot a fine addition to your Fall feats of roast beef, meatloaf and savoury pork dishes. Be sure to decant for 30mins+ before serving to help the wine open-up and mellow slightly. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

On a side note. The playful name comes from a local legendary prospector who attempted to use 23 imported camels as packhorses during the gold rush of the 19th century. The camels lasted a year, the story, however, lives on.

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2011 23 Camels White - 87pts

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2011 23 Camels White (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC

Availability: Direct from winery's shop
Cost: $14.99
Alcohol: 13.1%
Production: 278 cases
Date Tasted: October 17th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A fun, easy-going, crisp and playful blend of 50% Pinot Gris, 35% Chardonnay and 15% Riesling produced with grapes sourced from both the home vineyard in Lillouet and two vineyards on the Black Sage Bench. Well balanced with tart green apple mingling with tangy grapefruit anchored by juicy white peach and melon characters. The mouth-watering finish lingers with light herbal notes and lots of green apple and lime peel flavours. To be enjoyed in its youth. Drink 2012-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

On a side note. The playful name comes from a local legendary prospector who attempted to use 23 imported camels as packhorses during the gold rush of the 19th century. The camels lasted a year, the story, however, lives on.

LaStella 2009 La Sophia - 93+pts

LaStella 2009 La Sophia (Osoyoos Lake Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $75
Alcohol: 15.1%
Production: 48 cases
Date Tasted: October 16th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A stunning Cabernet Sauvignon that grips your attention from the first sniff of sweet, concentrated dark berry fruit and deep licorice aromas. The truly gorgeous palate follows with a near perfect balance between the ripe, silky tannins, elegant texture and smooth acidity.

Complex, captivating and feminine this beautiful Cabernet should last and evolve over a decade yet is tasting very well today. Drink 2012-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

LaStella 2009 Maestoso - 92pts

LaStella 2009 Maestoso (Osoyoos Lake Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $100

Alcohol: 15.2%
Production: 148 cases
Date Tasted: October 16th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The Maestoso is a massive wine that seeks to knock your socks off with its unapologetic, Old World, heavy tannins and bone-dry texture. Comprised of 100% Merlot sourced from old vines on the Osoyoos Lake and Golden Mile benches producing intense dark berry fruit, huge ripe tannins and a touch of cool menthol. This wine needs a further 5-7 years to mature in order to properly appreciate the nuances of fruit, terroir and oak that are only barely perceptible today beneath the tannins. Bottled promise. Drink 2016-2019+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Le Vieux Pin 2009 Retouche - 89pts

Le Vieux Pin 2009 Retouche (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $60
Alcohol: 14.9%
Production: 62 cases
Date Tasted: October 16th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Le Vieux Pin's Retouche is an homage to a near-forgotten time when Bordeaux producers would augment their Cabernet Sauvignon blends with Syrah from the Rhone Valley for much needed tannin structure and colour. This modern version is a Cab-Syrah blend (roughly 70/30 split) that aims to emphasize the qualities of Cabernet Sauvignon rather than showcase a blended wine. A feat that took many hours of trial and error with different percentages of Cabernet and Syrah to achieve and for which they are successful; the wine's character is certainly Cabernet-esk. However, the story behind the bottle is more engaging than the wine itself.

Nothing is out-of-place, but no element is terribly memorable. A solid Cabernet with a good expression of ripe fruit on the dry, rounded-tannin palate and a with subtle nose of dark berry fruit and oak influenced aromas. Ready to go now and has the specs to hold and drink well for another 4-6 years. Drink 2012-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Oldfield Series Syrah - 90pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $34.99
Alcohol: 14.6%
Date Tasted: October 13th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Sometimes it's not the intensity of a wine's nose that grabs your attention but rather the subtle balance between fruit and savoury characters. The Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Syrah is such a wine with tangy raspberry, ripe black cherry and stew-y plum fruit balanced nicely by pepper, vanilla oak and light chai aromas.

At already 3 years of age the ripe tannins have had a chance to mellow and frame the palate well while the mouth-watering acid keeps the heavy licorice and red fruit puree flavours feeling fresh and lively. The texture is silky and the finish is long with lingering spice and tangy wild berries making this wine a great match for smoked meats or ribs.

Though all wines should be allowed to breath prior to serving, some elicit a need to offer a reminder, and this is such a wine. I found this wine changed dramatically over the course of an hour and just got better and better. Drink 2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Road 13 Winery and Vineyards 2010 Stemwinder - 88pts

Road 13 Vineyards 2010 Stemwinder (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC


Availability: BCVQA and BCLDB stores
Cost: $14.99
Alcohol: 12.8%
Date Tasted: October 13th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A blend of 66% Chardonnay, 26% Sauvignon Blanc and 8% Chardonnay Musqué, this pale gold hued wine offers a lovely bouquet of pears, apples, honeydew melon, vanilla and light citrus aromas. The palate is a mouthful with juxtaposed chewy body and green-apple acid characters nicely framed by a creamy texture and a fresh finish. All for only $14.99!

Originally this wine was released at $22, several dollars more than the firm's popular Honest John's Blends. Seen, at the time, as a step-up in complexity and part of their plan to focus more on proprietary blends than on a large portfolio of single varietal wines. The price drop to just under $15 seems to indicate the wine never quite found its audience and may not be in the winery's future plans. Thus, snatch it up at $15 and make it your house white until supplies last. Enjoy this wine over the next 2 years. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca
  On a side note: The name "Stemwinder" refers to the type of soil found in some of the winery's vineyards.

Jackson-Triggs Vintners 2010 Silver Series Viognier - 85pts

Jackson-Triggs Vintners 2010 Silver Series Viognier (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $12.49-15.99
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: October 8th, 2012

Tasting Notes:A relatively simple Viognier missing the tropical fruit characters of some of the valley's more complex versions, yet, well balanced with solid pear, apple and peach fruit aromas and pleasant mineral flavours on the chewy, off-dry palate. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Little Straw Vineyards 2011 Sauvignon Blanc - 84pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $16.90
Alcohol: 11.5%
Production: 321 cases
Date Tasted: September 27th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Opens with a muted nose of green apple, light grass, river stones and rain water. To balance the intense acidity on the off-dry palate that follows, the wine was vinified to only 11.5% leaving considerable residual sugar, but falls a bit short in its goal leaving a lean texture and a short finish. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Oldfield Series 2Bench Red - 92pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine shops
Cost: $29.99
Alcohol: 14.3%
Date Tasted: October 6th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Few BC Meritage or Bordeaux "inspired" wines can accurately capture the true essence of Bordeaux and its sublime combination of terroir and fruit components. Many don't try, focusing instead on being un-apologetically New World, and we applaud that. However, the 2009 2Bench Red, whether by design or divine intervention, comes pretty darn close to a modern Bordeaux beauty and, that too, is worth round of applause.

A blend of 45% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the wine boasts an enchanting bouquet of dark fruit and spicy vanilla wrapped in a prominent, smoky blanket of sweet tobacco and toasted oak aromas. The well balanced and structured palate follows with mouth-watering acidity, ripe tannins, plum, black cherry, mineral and earth flavours with lingering smoky goodness. Truly an exceptional BC blend. Drink 2012-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2010 Merlot - 87+pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2010 Merlot (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 14.8%
Date Tasted: October 6th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Spicier and more herbaceous than the intense 2009 vintage where a hot summer produced ultra-ripe dark fruit flavours, yet, there is plenty to like from the 2010 vintage with its later harvest resulting in added layers of complexity; white pepper, sagebrush and sweet smoke. House-style is achieved with good tannin structure, solid fruit and palate-cleansing, fresh acidity. Good length and balance throughout. Would benefit from another 6+ months of bottle age and a long decant prior to serving. Drink 2013-2015+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Oak Bay Vineyard 2011 Gamay Noir - 85pts

Oak Bay Vineyard 2011 Gamay Noir (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $15.75
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: October 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: Bright, spicy and tangy, this Gamay Noir, with its light tannins, high acid and rustic red fruit profile, makes a food-friendly addition to your dinner table when paired with roasted meats of the lean variety; turkey, chicken and pork tenderloin. On its own you may find the acid overwhelms the fruit and body on the palate, diminishing the length of the finish. Pleasant aromas of sweet black cherry, raspberry skins, licorice, dried cranberry and peppermint will delight no matter how it's served. Enjoy this well priced Gamay in its youth. Drink 2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

MezzoMondo 2010 Negroamaro - 87pts

MezzoMondo 2010 Negroamaro (Salento IGT) Puglia - Italy

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $9.99
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: September 30th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A very consistent bargain red from the South East of Italy using the Negroamaro grape native to the region, which year-after-year delivers excellent value for money with an expressive nose of black cherry, dried cranberry, prune, toasted oak and Christmas spice aromas. The bright, light-to-medium bodied palate follows with red fruit, spice rack and cigar box flavours, soft tannins and a degree of acid just a tad sharp. Try it with smoked Gouda or another full flavoured cheese. Drink 2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Oak Bay Vineyard 2010 Pinot Noir - 87pts

Oak Bay Vineyard 2010 Pinot Noir (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19.50
Alcohol: 12.1%
Date Tasted: September 30th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This tasty Pinot Noir from Kelowna producer Oak Bay Vineyard finds the sweet spot between food-friendly and stand-alone sipper for the budget-conscious Pinot fan. Filled with sweet cherry, stewed raspberry, plum, sea mineral, cedar chip and vanilla bean aromas and flavours with light menthol cigarette notes. Its terroir-driven and red fruit characters rumble around the intense, mouth-watering palate with an authentic rawness; playing ever-so-slightly out-of-sync. An offset melody, but one that works and makes for some great rustic food pairings like BBQ salmon steaks or muscles. Drink 2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca