Meyer Family Vineyards 2011 Mclean Creek Road Pinot Noir - 91pts

Meyer Family Vineyards 2011 Mclean Creek Road Pinot Noir (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 340 cases
Date Tasted: April 29th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Quality lives in the details of a wine and the Mclean Creek Pinot Noir fulfills this promise admirably. Impressively round and ripe with concentrated raspberry and plum fruit aromas supported by rich cedar, cooking spice and mineral notes. The palate is equally rich with an initial bright red fruit entry followed by silky-smooth, light tannins and an intense, long finish of raspberry puree and toasted French oak flavours.

Though drinking beautifully now, another 6-9 months will only help the palate integrate further. Drink late-2013-2017+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Meyer Family Vineyards 2011 Reimer Vineyard Pinot Noir - 89-91pts

Meyer Family Vineyards 2011 Reimer Vineyard Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 222 cases
Date Tasted: April 26th, 2013

Tasting Notes: The intensity of the nose of this Pinot, produced with fruit sourced from an East Kelowna vineyard, can be appreciated from across a room. Bold, bright aromas of cherry, plum, raspberry seeds, vanilla, dried flowers and hints of oak spice and cracked earth mingle beautifully. Classic Pinot texture and tannin structure follows on the dry, equally intense palate, though, the flavour profile shifts to a more savoury tone with bright red fruit playing a supporting role. Finishes long and a bit bitter with mouth watering tartness and lingering notes of oak and raspberry seeds.

Give this intriguing wine another year or 2 to mature and soften and you'll be glad you did when your patience is rewarded with improved acid integration. Drink late 2014-2017.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2012 Pinot Blanc - 90pts

JoieFarm 2012 Pinot Blanc (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $22.90
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 288 cases
Date Tasted: April 29th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Happily, the Pinot Blanc remains in the JoieFarm line-up for the 2012 vintage, though, at first blush, it's nearly unrecognizable when compared to the opulent 2011 edition. The mineral-infused, bright palate sees a shift from warm and feminine to crisp and masculine, but beyond its acidic facade lies an expressive wine with layers of orchard and citrus fruit, especially on the beautiful, honeydew-drenched nose.

Don't expect this wine to age like the 2011. Employ as an attention getting Summer sipper when you want to jolt your senses or pair it with a complex salad with pecans and goat cheese. Drink 2013-2014.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Cambria Estate Winery 2010 Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir - 90pts

Cambria Estate Winery 2010 Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley) California - USA

Availability: Private wine shops in BC. Winery website here
Cost: $25-35
Alcohol: 14.6%
Date Tasted: April 27th, 2013

Tasting Notes: A crowd-pleasing, single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley that offers a vibrant blend of cherry-cola, plum spice and sweet oak aromas on the intense, yet, inviting nose. The light cream-textured palate follows with similar flavours, silky smooth tannins and prominent acidity which off-sets the alcohol and light residual sugar. A New World Pinot to be sure. Drink now-2015.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2012 Muscat - 90pts

JoieFarm 2012 Muscat (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $22.90
Alcohol: 11.5%
Production: 446 cases
Date Tasted: April 23rd, 2013

Tasting Notes: Delicate and complex, fruity and tangy with a supremely pleasing flavour profile of  perfume, apricots, rose petals, stonefruit, lemon/lime and kiwi fruit. Off-dry levels of residual sugar are well balanced by the citrus acidity on the concentrated, expressive palate. Manages to remain light and fresh despite the impressive body and texture derived from the opulent fruit rather than from any glycerol effect from high alcohol. Enjoy this wine through the Spring and Summer with your favourite brunch or picnic fare. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Wild Goose Vineyards 2010 Merlot Reserve - 88pts

Wild Goose Vineyards 2010 Merlot Reserve (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: April 22nd, 2013

Tasting Notes: Okanagan Falls' Wild Goose Vineyards, mostly known for its delicious single vineyard aromatic white wines and the uber-popular white blend "Autumn Gold", has been working with consultants to improve the red wine portion of their portfolio. This reserve Merlot is the result and shows great progress over previous vintages offering a lovely, fine tannin texture on the dark berry and oak spice palate while the nose reflects the cool vintage with bright, wild berry fruit and savoury vanilla and light cocoa aromas. The palate-cleansing acid makes this Merlot a great companion for the dinner table with tomato-based dishes making the most obvious pairing. Drink 2013-2015.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2012 Un-Oaked Chardonnay - 90pts

JoieFarm 2012 Un-Oaked Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $22.90
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 729 cases
Date Tasted: April 21st, 2013

Tasting Notes: There's un-oaked Chardonnay and then there's JoieFarm's un-oaked Chardonnay. The Naramata Bench winery packs so much into the nose and palate that the oak influence isn't missed. Thanks to a warm autumn, the 2012 version sees a return to a rich and concentrated expression of Chardonnay bursting with orchard and tropical fruit grounded by green apple acidity and crisp mineral notes resulting in a lovely texture in the mouth and a long, mouth watering finish. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Meyer Family Vineyards 2011 Pinot Noir - 90pts

Meyer Family Vineyards 2011 Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley) Okanagan Falls - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here. VQA stores
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 930 cases
Date Tasted: April 19h, 2013

Tasting Notes: A gorgeous, complex array of cherry-cola, raspberry, sweet oak, vanilla, forest floor and warm earth aromas greet you on the nose of this blend of Pinot Noir batches from numerous locations all over the Okanagan Valley. Followed by a dry, nicely textured palate with medium tannins and a flavour profile that mimics some of the complexity of the expressive nose, though, with less fruit and more mineral notes making it a great match for classic pairings like roasted duck or salmon.

This entry-level Pinot Noir makes for an excellent introduction to the Meyer Family Vineyards line-up. Enjoy it in its youth as you wait for the winery's premium, single vineyard Pinots to mature. Drink 2013-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2012 Riesling - 91pts

JoieFarm 2012 Riesling (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $22.90
Alcohol: 11.4%
Production: 864 cases
Date Tasted: April 18th, 2013

Tasting Notes: A very consistent Riesling in style vintage to vintage and with its flavour profile from the nose through to the palate. Always a juxtaposition of acid and residual sugar, this rich, concentrated wine offers with a pleasing combination of citrus, honeydew, minerals, pineapple and green apple. What sets this Riesling above many contemporaries is the impressive length - the finish seems to go on and on - and the presence of intricate herbal and floral notes that appreciative noses can spend hours contemplating. The less inclined will simply love the refreshing and tasty balance between the crisp and sweet elements. Something for everyone. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Viña Los Vascos 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon - 86pts

Viña Los Vascos 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability: Everything Wine
Cost: $16.99
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 250,000 cases
Date Tasted: April 17th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Produced by famed Bordeaux institution Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) in Chile's Colchagua Valley, this deep-ruby coloured Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a nice blend of juicy cassis and allsorts licorice candy aromas. The medium-plus bodied, mostly-dry palate follows with bright, in-your-face juicy dark fruit flavours supported by oak spice, light tannins and gentle acid. The finish is short, though a pairing with a tasty, after-dinner plate of dark chocolate would help overcome this nicely. Drink now-2014.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2012 Gewurztraminer - 90pts

JoieFarm 2012 Gewurztraminer (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $22.90
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 222 cases
Date Tasted: April 14th, 2013

Tasting Notes: The youthful and expressive bouquet, driven by ripe lychee fruit and aromatic flowers, captures your attention before you even get the glass to your nose. The palate is lush without being heavy and tangy enough to balance the off-dry residual sugar. The concentrated finish is very long and satisfying with lingering lychee, papaya and light spice. This Gewurztraminer is pure joy. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2012 Gewurztraminer - 89pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2012 Gewurztraminer (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $18.49
Alcohol: 12.9%
Production: 4825 cases
Date Tasted: April 15th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Leaner and meaner than your average plump "Goo", delivering more acid and minerality than often seen in the Okanagan Valley - the perfect option for those who find BC Gewurztraminer too "fat" for their liking. There's also a fair share of spice on the dry palate where Asian pear, apple and lychee fruit characters are framed by mouth-watering citrus notes. Drink now-2014.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2012 A Noble Blend - 92pts

JoieFarm 2012 A Noble Blend (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $23.90
Alcohol: 12.7%
Production: 4236 cases, 486 magnums, 90 double magnums
Date Tasted: April 12th, 2013

Tasting Notes: After two cooler vintages JoieFarm's flagship wine returns to its opulent roots with the release of the 2012 edition. Delivering rich, complex flavours of tropical fruit, apples, lime rind and clove spice on the off-dry, vibrant palate and delicate aromas of kiwi fruit, lychee and peaches on the delightful nose. The art of assemblage is on display with this blend of 35% Gewurztraminer, 29% Riesling, 17% Pinot Blanc, 12% Pinot Auxerrois, 4% Schoenberger and 3% Muscat with each component contributing its own coloured tile to the larger mosaic, creating a complete and rewarding experience. This may be a vintage to hold on to for further development, but not for too long. Another 2-3 years tops. Drink now-2016.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2012 Pinot Gris - 89pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2012 Pinot Gris (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Released on May 1st. Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 12.9%
Production: 4490 cases
Date Tasted: April 13th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Lush and juicy on the nose with ripe pear, apple and tangerine aromas and a hint of tropical fruit notes in the background. The palate is fuller and more intense than the 2011 with good balance between the rich orchard fruit flavours, light residual sugar and acid, yet the palate remains fresh and crisp with only %15 of the wine allowed to go through malolactic fermentation (a process that softens the acid adding body and a cream-like texture). Light mineral and green apple notes also help contrast the rich fruit making for a refreshing and compelling Summer sipper. Drink now-2014.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2007 Merlot - 92pts

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2007 Merlot (Skaha Lake) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. Select private wine shops and VQA stores.
Cost: $39.90
Alcohol: 14.7%
Date Tasted: May 28th, 2010
Re-tasted: April 5th, 2013

Tasting Notes: This inky-ruby charmer from the winner of the Okanagan Valley's "Best New Winery" award for 2009 is a fantastic, cellar-worthy wine. Full of concentrated, dark cherry and ripe plum flavours on the palate with intense aromas of bright berries on the nose.

Adding to the attraction of this Merlot is the 18 months of aging in 100% new French oak prior to bottling. The vanilla, mocha and toasted oak spice characters combine artfully with the concentrated fruit on the nose and palate creating a wine that oozes charisma and passion.

A sensual, feminine texture with silky-smooth tannins and a long finish complete the experience. The fine, integrated tannins and structure will help this wine age sublimely with further development over the next 3 years. Drink now through 2017. http://www.paintedrock.ca/
 - Liam Carrier

Re-tasting Notes: This Merlot has aged beautifully showing gorgeous violet aromas gracing the developed nose. Palate shows lots of life left with sweet black licorice flavours now prominent. Original drinking window projection is holding true, though why wait? 6 years seems to be the sweet spot for this Merlot.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Silverback Vineyards 2010 Syrah - 95pts



Silverback Vineyards 2010 Syrah (Columbia Valley AVA)  - Washington State

Availability: Not yet available in BC. Contact winery direct here
Cost: $80 (USD)
Alcohol: 14.8%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: August 12th, 2012
Re-tasted: March 31st, 2013

Tasting Notes: From a barrel sample. A dark, intense, ruby-coloured Syrah with a medium purple rim and a lovely sheen. Pulls you into its web at first sniff with layers of dark fruit, violets, tar, licorice, vanilla, subtle allspice and vibrant citrus notes. An excellent prelude to the concentrated palate that offers superb acidity and balance with fine tannins and long-lasting, spicy dark fruit flavours that roll around your mouth with youthful abandon.

Fruit was cropped down to 2.5 tonnes per acre, cold fermented and then aged in 100%, 2nd fill French oak. Will be approachable upon its release in early 2013, but the patient among you will reap the benefits of 2-3 more years of bottle age. Drink 2014-2020+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Re-tasting Notes: On par with the Columbia Valley's premium Syrah labels like Long Shadows' "Sequel". Intense and bold with fabulous concentration and length. Still youthful, though the extra 7 months of age has helped integrate the French oak and fine tannins.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca