LaStella 2011 Fortissimo - 90-91pts

LaStella 2011 Fortissimo (Osoyoos Lake Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 14.2%
Production: 857 cases
Date Tasted: February 27th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Sweet, warm and feminine on the nose, LaStella's ode to establishment-challenging Tuscan wines is a blend of 71% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 5% Sangiovese. The sweetness comes from ripe red fruit and fragrant oak aromas that put a smile on your face instantly, setting the stage for the dry palate to follow with similar fruit and oak flavours and added complexity from coffee grind, tapenande and light mineral notes. Fine, smooth tannins and mouth-watering acidity structure the wine well and will help it age and improve over the next 2-3 years. Be sure to decant properly for 2+ hours if you plan to open a bottle this year. Drink 2015-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Château de Beaucastel 2011 Chateauneuf-du-Pape - 94+pts

Château de Beaucastel 2011 Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Rhone Valley) France

Availability: BCLDB Signature stores
Cost: $92
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: February 27th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Perhaps lacking in the power department when compared to the opulent and dense 2010, the 2011 thrives on subtle layers of sweet red and dark fruit, dry rock, fragrant flowers, warm garrique and smooth tobacco aromas and flavours. Classic, quietly intense and long with ultra-fine tannins and an elegant character. Drink 2016-2030.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Les Vins Bonhomme 2012 El Petit Bonhomme Blanco - 87pts

Les Vins Bonhomme 2012 El Petit Bonhomme Blanco (Rueda DO) Spain

Availability: BCLDB stores and private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $14
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 2600 cases
Date Tasted: February 25th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A crisp, fruity and vibrant wine made from 100% Verdejo sourced from the Northwest Spanish region of Rueda offering nectarine, peach pit and passion-fruit aromas on the nose and tangy citrus and ripe melon flavours on the mineral-infused palate. Finishes a bit 'hot', though the lingering spicy notes are memorable and help this 'fresh white' stand-out from the crowd. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Samuel Magalhaes e Silva 2011 Douro 4U - 86pts

Samuel Magalhaes e Silva 2011 Douro 4U (Douro DOC) Portugal

Availability: Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $14-16
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 12000 cases
Date Tasted: February 24th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Clean, generous nose combining black fruit, licorice, cured meats, incense and a multitude of spices. The palate shows good continuity from the nose with a modern, early-drinking sensibility; fresh acidity, mild tannins and food-friendly complexity. Finishes quite short, undercutting its value as an on-its-own-sipper - open with dinner and enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Les Vins Bonhomme 2012 El Petit Bonhomme Tinto - 88pts

Les Vins Bonhomme 2012 El Petit Bonhomme Tinto (Jumilla DO) Spain

Availability: BCLDB stores and private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $15
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 5000 cases
Date Tasted: February 15th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A co-production by Spain's renowned Juan Gil family and Canadian-born winemaker Natalie Bonhomme, El Petit Bonhomme is a well-made, easy-drinking, North American-palate friendly blend of 55% Monastrell, 30% Garnacha and 15% Syrah sourced from mature vineyards in the Jumilla region of Spain. Fruity on the nose with aromas of cherry and blackcurrant supported by savoury notes like pipe tobacco, menthol, anise, oak and spices. The palate offers similar flavours and rounded tannins and tangy, citrus acidity. Would pair beautifully with grilled, sweet'n'spicy ham dishes. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Carnivor Wines 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon - 85pts

Carnivor 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (California) USA

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $16-18
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: February 21st, 2014

Tasting Notes: This stain-your-teeth-purple hued Cabernet Sauvignon is an assemblage of focus-group tastes and attributes: sweet dark fruit, hints of added "complex" flavours, easy-drinking tannins, full-bodied mouth feel and enough acid to make your palate salivate for more. Surprisingly, it combines these attributes into a drinkable and reasonably Cabernet-ish styled wine rather well, though, without any passion or sense of place (or, potentially, any human intervention - seriously, this wine could have been made by robots). Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Angove Family Winemakers 2012 Chalk Hill Blue Shiraz-Cabernet - 86pts

Angove Family Winemakers 2012 Chalk Hill Blue Shiraz-Cabernet (South Australia) Australia

Availability: Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $14-16
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 20th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A well-made, entry-level, Shiraz-Cabernet blend sourced from multiple South Australia sub-regions and vineyards that veers towards the sweet red wine cliff with 4g\l of residual sugar but just backs off in time thanks to ample acidity and a tangy mouth feel. Cassis, cherry-cola and spicy plum aromas and flavours dominate with supporting oak and cooking spice notes rounding out the consistent nose and palate. Tannins are mild but the overall balance is good and very food-friendly - think savoury appetizers or a desert plate of dark chocolate and raspberries. Best enjoyed in its youth. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Paul Hobbs Winery 2011 Lindsay Estate Pinot Noir - 92pts

Paul Hobbs Winery 2011 Katherine Lindsay Estate Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley AVA) Sonoma County - California

Availability: Speciality listing in BC. Private Wine Stores
Cost: $75-85
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: February 4th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A big Pinot at a big price for folks looking for mannered intensity wrapped in an elegant veil of dark fruit and sweet forrest floor aromas. Medium purple hued Pinot with a silky textured palate bursting with ripe dark cherry and black currant fruit balanced by meaty-earthy notes, all-the-while remaining Pinot-esk, though, only barely. Finishes very long and a tad 'hot'. This impressive specimen should age well for another 5-6 years given the rich tannin structure and concentrated fruit. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

MacRostie Winery and Vineyards 2011 Pinot Noir - 90-91pts

MacRostie Winery and Vineyards 2011 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast AVA) Sonoma County - California

Availability: Speciality listing in BC. Private Wine Stores
Cost: $34-40
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 4860 cases
Date Tasted: February 4th, 2014

Tasting Notes: This blended, entry-level Pinot Noir does the Sonoma Coast proud showcasing the sub-region's delicate, low-key approach to Pinot Noir that makes the Sonoma Coast stand-out from the richer, meatier Pinots from the inland AVAs like Russian River Valley.

Light in colour and demeanour, yet complex and quietly intense with a great balance between sweet red fruit, bright acidity and spicy tea notes. Approachable now and should age beautifully over the next 2-3 years. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2012 Pinot Noir - 89pts

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2012 Pinot Noir (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and Private Wine Stores
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 16th, 2014

Tasting Notes: True to the house style, this is a lively, focused, light-garnet Pinot Noir with terroir-driven characters of forest floor, brambly berries and minerals supported by raspberry-cola aromas on the full, spicy-plum nose and effervescent red fruit on the mouth-watering, yet, well balanced and well structured, light-bodied palate. 

This is Blue Mountain's entry-level Pinot Noir that, along with its equally well-priced entry-level Chardonnay cousin, tastes like a wine produced by a winery most famous for its traditional method sparkling wines. Agressive, cool-climate Pinot Noir, to be sure, and well worth the price of admission. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2012 Chardonnay - 88+pts

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2012 Chardonnay (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and Private Wine Stores
Cost: $20.90
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 15th, 2014

Tasting Notes: For Chardonnay fans looking for more than just a kiss of oak, but not a full-blown butter-bomb, the Blue Mountain 2012 Chardonnay offers welcoming middle-ground having been fermented and aged in about half'n'half French oak and stainless steel and having (mostly) avoided the secondary, "malolactic" fermentation which infuses the buttery characters into wine while softening residual acid. The resulting wine remains pleasantly tangy, crisp and aromatic while being lovingly embraced in a light blanket of warming oak notes on both the peach-brioche nose and the pear-stonefruit palate. 

Finish is long and dry with a touch of lingering spice and vanilla bean flavours. Enjoy now and over the next 3-4 years with further development possible. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Wolf Blass Wines 2008 Grey Label Shiraz - 90pts

Wolf Blass Wines 2008 Grey Label Shiraz (McLaren Vale) South Australia - Australia

Availability: BCLDB Signature stores
Cost: $30-35
Alcohol: 15%
Date Tasted: February 14th, 2014

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. Intense, dark cherry, dark cocoa, cardamon and peppercorn aromas pounce on your nose when you bring it to within a few inches from the glass. With time to breath, more layers of cedar and light eucalyptus notes appear and add depth. The equally intense palate follows with sharp acidity, mannered fine tannins, peppercorn puree and powerful, dark cherry extract flavours. The finish is mouth-watering and oaky with residual cherry puree and anise notes lingering moderately.

Having been sealed with a Stelvin cap enclosure, there are many years left for this intense Shiraz to mature further and mellow. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Bodegas San Pedro Regalado 2010 Embocadero - 88pts

Bodegas San Pedro Regalado 2010 Embocadero (Ribera Del Duero DO) Castilla y León - Spain

Availability: Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: February 12th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Classically structured Tempranillo with loads of dark cherry, dried herbs and mineral characters on the warm, earth-infused nose and full-bodied, well-balanced palate that offers an excellent acid-to-fruit-to-tannin ratio, keeping the wine both fresh and fruity with an appropriate level of grilled-meat pairing bite.

Raised in a combination of American and French oak, the palate finishes dry and a tad short, though some nice spicy cassis and vanilla notes linger. Tasting beautifully now and will hold well for another 3-4 years. Drink 2014-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Fairview Cellars 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon - 90+pts

Fairview Cellars 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Private wine shops and library release
Cost: $39.90
Alcohol: 13.6%
Date Tasted: February 7th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Possibly the 'Frenchest' Cabernet Sauvignon to come out of the Fairview vineyard in years (for better, for worse), with an emphasis on dried herbs and potpourri on the nose followed by an oak-driven palate where the dark fruit flavours are heavily infused with terroir characters like minerality, earthiness and spices.

2010 was a cool(er) vintage in the Okanagan but it wasn't a right-off, by any means. When compared to the hot 2009 vintage, the ultra-intense berry and plum fruit is replaced by layers of complex herbs and savoury notes that result in an equally intriguing nose. The palate is leaner and less intense, as one would expect, but the complexity and balance is there thanks to careful vineyard management during the difficult growing season. The 2010 may not have as long of a life expectancy ahead and the finish is a tad short for its pedigree, but there's development to be gained in the mid-range, for the patient among you. Drink 2015-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Bodegas Atalaya 2012 Laya - 89pts

Bodegas Atalaya 2012 Laya (Almansa DO) Albacete - Spain

Availability: Private wine shops and BCLDB stores
Cost: $14
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: February 5th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A blend of 70% Garnacha and 30% Monastrell with bold, dark cherry and Christmas cake aromas on the expressive nose. Tangy and mouth watering, the palate packs a punch with dark fruit, cured meat and French oak flavours. Though the entry is juicy and smooth through the mid-palate, the overall balance is a touch bitter on the moderate finish, but there's a lot to love with this budget blend from Spain's Almansa DO. Drink 2014-2016+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Viña MontGras 2012 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon - 86pts

Viña MontGras 2012 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $15
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: February 3rd, 2014

Tasting Notes: As mass-market, mass-production, Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon go, the MontGras Reserva is pretty good. A nice balance of trendy, sweet berry fruit and more serious, yet, smooth-ish tannins and earthy-notes keeps this high-value Cabernet from slipping fully into the Apothic Red abyss of bottled jam that today passes for red wine.

Baked cassis and boysenberry meets field-berry acidity meets light mineral and charred oak. Finish is short and a bit sharp, but otherwise, a fine effort for the price. Drink 2014-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca