Bodega Norton 2010 Privada - 90pts

Bodega Norton 2010 Privada (Luján de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $23-25
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: October 25th, 2013

Tasting Notes: The 'Privada' is a blend of 40% Malbec, 30% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon offering a smooth, rounded nose of sweet mixed berry and dark plum aromas with oak aging influenced notes adding depth and complexity. The palate that follows is equally round and smooth with unctuous, blackberry, blueberry and cassis flavours supported by fine, mannered tannins and enough acid to balance the intense blue fruit nicely. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2011 Nota Bene - 91pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2011 Nota Bene (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Sold out at the winery. Some VQA and private wine shops have it in stock
Cost: $54-60
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: October 26th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Even in cold, difficult vintages, the Black Hills team deliver a Nota Bene worthy of the on-going intrigue and exclusivity the brand has earned through years of sold-out wines and effective marketing. Some years are better than others, but, I've yet to be disappointed with the released wine.

The 2011 is no exception. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, all sourced from their famed Black Sage Bench estate vineyard which imparts an herbal quality to the wine augmenting the classic Meritage profile of black currant, blackberry, fresh tobacco leaf and dark plum aromas and flavours. Along with the potent fruit and fine tannins, the 2011 boasts a smoky texture, layers of savoury flavours and the right amount of acid to keep the medium-plus bodied palate vibrant.

As with all Nota Bene releases, lay a few down in your cellar for further development, though the 2011 may not evolve as much the past few vintages. Drink 2014-2018+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Cellar Hand 2012 Free Run White - 87pts

Cellar Hand 2012 Free Run White (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores and private wine shops
Cost: $16
Alcohol: 13.2%
Date Tasted: October 22nd, 2013

Tasting Notes: Fun, accessible and balanced. This blend of Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay (59%-27%, respectively) with a splattering of Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Muscat and Pinot Gris mixed in, delivers a smooth and decently complex nose of orchard and tropical fruit aromas followed by a similarly flavoured, fruit-forward palate with green apple acidity keeping the texture vibrant and the finish crisp.

The Free Run White offers amazing value for the price, with a food-friendly profile making it a sure thing for any dinner party due to its food-pairing diversity and supreme drinkability. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Bodega Norton 2010 Reserva Malbec - 90+pts

Bodega Norton 2010 Reserva Malbec (Luján de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $18-20
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: October 20th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Warm, inviting and layered, the Reserva from Bodegas Norton is the Malbec for lovers of red wines with character, a sense of place and bold fruit but without the residual sweetness all too common among red wines these days. Smooth, ripe blue fruit aromas mingle on the nose with lightly toasted oak, vanilla and soothing spice notes. The palate begins with a nice hit of berry fruit transitioning to savoury-oak flavours through to the long, well balanced and mouth-watering finish where mineral and spice linger. Ready to go now, but should improve some over the next 2-3 years. Drink now-2017.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Bodega Norton 2010 Barrel Select Malbec - 87pts

Bodega Norton 2010 Barrel Select Malbec (Luján de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $15-16
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: October 19th, 2013

Tasting Notes: This inky-purple hued Malbec from Mendoza bursts with ripe, sweet plum and blackberry pie aromas on the otherwise earthy nose where scorched dirt and spicy, toasted oak notes play second fiddle to the bold fruit. Impressive concentration of blue fruit flavours and loads of cooking spice dress up the full palate which oozes glycerol texture through to a sweet'n'tart wild berry and toasted oak finish where a touch of citrus acidity lingers. Enjoy this well made, entry-level Malbec in its youth. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2012 Alibi - 90pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2012 Alibi (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA and private wine stores
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: October 18th, 2013

Tasting Notes: 'Effortless' comes to mind when appreciating this white Bordeaux-style blend delivering a harmonious, elegant expression of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillon. Subtle, aromatic notes and aromas of ripe white peach, grapefruit, orange blossom, green apple and slate come to life after a chance to breath and warm up slightly in the glass - be sure not to serve this wine too cold.

The similarly flavoured palate follows with a playful juxtaposition of a rich, creamy-textured body balanced by refreshing citrus acidity, keeping the mouth feel alive and vibrant. Handles its 14.5% alcohol like a champ, never feeling 'hot'. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2011 Meritage - 89-90pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $28
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 743 cases
Date Tasted: October 15th, 2013

Tasting Notes: For 2011, Fort Berens' Meritage starts a new chapter for the Lillooet-based winery with the inclusion of estate grown fruit for the first time. Grapes from both the Fraser Canyon home vineyard and from the famed Sundial vineyard along the Black Sage Bench were sourced for this year's blend of 47% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Cabernet Franc which delivers warm, mixed-berry, plum, crushed violet and mineral aromas enveloped by complimentary oak and light spice notes. (nailed it!)

The dry palate is alive with wild berry acidity and flavours. Fine, forgiving tannins frame the fruit nicely and linger through to the spicy, long and well-balanced finish. 6 more months in the bottle will do wonders for this wine, but I don't anticipate a lengthy cellar life due to the youthful Lillooet vines and synthetic cork enclosure. Enjoy this blend as you're waiting for other wines to mature. Drink mid-2014-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2010 Oldfield Series 2Bench Red - 90pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2010 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 11th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Signature sweet tobacco and dark blackberry aromas are complimented nicely by ample toasted oak and spicy vanilla notes on the nose of this consistently excellent Meritage blend from Oliver's Tinhorn Creek Vineyards. The 2010 blend consists of 41% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot aged for 18 months in French oak creating a complex and smoky textured palate endowed with blue fruit, light mineral and toasted oak flavours supported by fine tannins and well balanced acidity.

Thanks to an extra year of aging in the bottle, this tasty blend is ready to go now and will hold for many years. Drink now-2018.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Backyard Vineyards 2012 Riesling - 87pts

Backyard Vineyards 2012 Riesling (Okanagan Valley) - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 12.8%
Date Tasted: October 8th, 2013

Tasting Notes: There's a concentration on the nose and palate of this Riesling from Langley producer Backyard Vineyards that harkens to the intensity of partially botrytis infected fruit producing rich apple, papaya and lime aromas and flavours. The off-dry palate also boasts a full-ish texture balanced nicely by citrus acidity, that carries through to the moderate finish with hints of lingering spice. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2011 Heritage Block - 90pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 1405 cases
Date Tasted: October 9th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Oh, to sit in on a blending session at Stag's Hollow Winery as they craft their always tasty Heritage Block, piece-by-piece, lot-by-lot. The 2011 edition sees 56% Merlot (smoky, mixed berry fruit) and 37% Cabernet Franc (providing the lovely floral and perfumed aromas) supported by 7% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in American and French oak barrels for 18 months. The resulting wine is both fruity and serious with a smooth, sultry textured mid-palate and a long, mouth-watering finish with lingering spice and blackberry flavours.

Many argue that winemaking is a vocation, not an art form. And they may be right, at a high level, but one duty all winemakers perform, the blending, or assemblage, of multiple lots of wines together to make something greater than the sum of its parts, can be performed with such creativity and attention to detail that I can think of no better words to describe it. In the hands of some, blending is an art form and Stag's Hollow is lucky to have winemaker Dwight Sick in residence.

Enjoy this artfully constructed blend now and over the next 3-5 years. Drink 2013-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Cellar Hand 2011 Punch Down Red - 88pts

Cellar Hand 2011 Punch Down Red (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores and private wine shops
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: October 5th, 2013

Tasting Notes: 'Cellar Hand' is the second label of Black Hills Estate Winery and aims to create drink-now wines, appropriate for passing the time while you wait for your coveted caché of Nota Bene to mature. This blend of 45% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Syrah and 11% Cabernet Franc offers sweet aromas of ripe cherry, spicy plum and mixed-berry fruit with Christmas sugar cookie and light oak notes rounding out the pleasant nose.

The palate is easy-going with smooth, light tannins, ripe berry and plum fruit flavours and a kick of both cooking spice and field berry acidity on the moderate finish. A wine to be enjoyed with friends with or without dinner. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2012 Semillon - 86+pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2012 Semillon (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $15.99
Alcohol: 11.5%
Production: 230 cases
Date Tasted: October 7th, 2013

Tasting Notes: This 100% Semillon, sourced from the Balwant Vineyard near Osoyoos, opens with a  muted, yet, sultry nose of poached pear, lime rind and fig newton aromas. The palate ramps up the intensity with good texture and continuity from the nose while mineral and light oak notes contribute an added dimension to an otherwise straight-forward, seafood companion wine, though, a very well priced one indeed. May develop more complexity with heightened honey notes if given more time in the bottle, however, the price point lends itself to youthful, curious consumption. Drink 2013-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2012 Chardonnay - 90pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2012 Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Select VQA and private stores.
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 12.8%
Date Tasted: October 3rd, 2013

Tasting Notes: A full bodied, fully oaked, full flavoured wine that manages to reign in all the elements to create a refined Chardonnay experience brimming with orchard, tropical and melon fruit aromas and flavours. Texturally, the palate delights with both buttery and cool mineral components that make the mouth feel vibrant and interesting through to a long finish.

Possibly, the best possible pairing for creamy seafood pasta. Ready to go now, but will hold for a number of years.  Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2011 Tempranillo - 89pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 98 cases
Date Tasted: October 1st, 2013

Tasting Notes: Another experiment, another success. Once again, Stag's Hollow explores an iconic European variety and makes it their own - and very New World. The fragrant, sweet smoke and stewed plum infused nose announces a unique experience is at hand. The middleweight palate follows with fine, mellow tannins that structure the ample red fruit and smooth, smoky oak flavours effortlessly. The finish is long and balanced nicely by fresh fruit acidity and lingering savoury notes.

Should appeal to the North American palate with a focus on fruit delivered in a drink-now style in contrast to the Spanish reserva Tempranillo which can be aged for 6 years or more. Enjoy this now and over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2013-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2012 Chardonnay - 89pts

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2012 Chardonnay (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 275 cases
Date Tasted: September 26th, 2013

Tasting Notes: For the first time, Lillooet based Fort Berens, has released a Chardonnay made from 100% estate grown fruit sourced from their home vineyard in the Fraser Canyon - proving the long journey towards being a true Estate Winery fruitful and worthwhile. Chardonnay is a great terroir-transmitter and through this tasty wine we can discover what the Fraser Canyon has to offer. The nose is laser-focused with prominent pear and peach aromas supported by flinty minerality and cardamom notes. Upon entry, this Chard comes across as crisp and un-oaked with orchard and citrus fruit leading the way, but, as it flows over the palate the rich notes and oak influence comes forth and carries through to the long finish. Drink 2013-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca