Michel Torino 2011 Don David Finca La Maravilla #6 (Cafayate Valley) Salta - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 29th, 2014
Tasting Notes: This inky-purple, single-vineyard Malbec from the Cafayate Valley packs a punch. Albeit, a well-balanced, accurate punch. Intense and focused, mixed berry fruit, spiced plums, licorice all-sorts and cedar aromas make for an appealing nose and sets-up the similarly flavoured, dry palate well where the intensity is heightened by big tannins and tangy acidity. Full-bodied and long without resorting to copious amounts of residual sugar. Should make for an excellent pairing with a fine cut of beef, either grilled or broiled. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Michel Torino 2012 Cuma Malbec (Cafayate Valley) Salta - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: March 27th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Juicy and fruit-forward, this rustic, plum and blueberry fuelled Malbec, from the Cafayate Valley in Mendoza, is sourced from organically farmed vineyards and delivers a rough'n'tumble cacophony of dark fruit, spice and scorched earth characters. A vein of bitterness persists through the dry palate where coarse tannins and peppercorn notes linger on the moderate finish. Drink now-2015.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Painted Rock Estate Winery 2011 Merlot (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: March 26th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Best Merlot yet from Painted Rock with more complexity showing on the nose thanks to maturing vines and vineyard practices. The 2011 is elegant with sweet berry fruit, spices and cocoa aromas and lifted floral notes adding a feminine touch.
The palate is well-structured with refined tannins and effortless acidity, boasting rich dark fruit and layers of supporting savoury and sensual notes. True to its New World, cool-climate origins, yet, moves comfortably among the world's Merlot peerage. Drink 2015-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Bodegas Valentin Bianchi 2011 Famiglia Bianchi Malbec (San Rafael) Mendoza - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 25th, 2014
Tasting Notes: This inky ruby-hued Malbec opens with intense blackberry and dark cherry aromas supported by light violet, incense and sweet pipe tobacco notes.
The palate is fruity and tangy with concentrated dark fruit and spice flavours balanced by mouth-watering alpine berry acidity and framed by firm, youthful tannins and light earthy notes. Ready to go now. Drink 2014-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Three Thieves 2012 The Show Malbec (Luján de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 17,000 casesDate Tasted: March 24th, 2014
Tasting Notes: A straight-forward expression of 'fruit'n'spicy' Malbec with a focus on the balance between the residual sweetness on mouth-watering palate and the grippy nature of the mouth feel. Ripe, dark berry fruit and savoury spice characters are supported by firm tannins procured from 9 months in 25% new French oak contributing to the wine's food-friendliness - think BBQ steak or short ribs. Finish is a bit short and unrefined, but the wine is as advertised: entertaining. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
On a side note: If 'The Show' label looks familiar but you not from only in the Argentina section of your wine store it's because the Napa Valley-based Three Thieves company makes many wines from international regions that will show-up all over your local wine shop. These include a Garnacha from Spain, a Pinot Noir from Chile and a Cabernet Sauvignon from California.
Marchesi de Frescobaldi 2008 CastelGiocondo (Brunello di Montalcino DOCG) Tuscany - Italy
Availability: BCLDB Signature stores
Cost: $55
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 3rd, 2014
Tasting Notes: A warm, sweet scented, perfumed nose with berry, prune and spice notes. The palate is both silky and powerful with fantastic balance of fruit, herb, savoury and spice characters. Tannins are fine and dusty. The finish is long and memorable.
If the quality is there, as it is with the CastelGiocondo, then 8-10 years is the sweet spot for folks looking to maximize their investment but don't want a 20 or 30 year old 'aged' Brunello (a rather different beast). After 8-10 years, everything is coming together nicely and the fruit elements are still fresh. Drink 2016-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Pascual Toso 2012 Malbec (Maipú District) Mendoza - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $14.99
Alcohol: 14.3%
Date Tasted: March 17th, 2014
Tasting Notes: This easy-drinking, fruit-forward Malbec offers plenty of juicy, ripe cherry and tangy wild-blackberry fruit on the otherwise spicy-vanilla nose and the mild-mannered palate where light tannins and acidity play a supporting role to the hero of the wine, its tangy, fleshy fruit.
Though perhaps lacking in intensity and boldness, this Malbec is well-made and consistent from beginning to end with no rough edges or mis-steps. Fantastic value for money. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Luigi Bosca 2011 Malbec (Luján de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 120,000 cases
Date Tasted: March 15th, 2014
Tasting Notes: A very pure expression of Malbec with a focus on the balance between the natural, fleshy-fruit and peppercorn qualities of the variety. Some oak influence from 12 months in French barrels is perceptible and successfully enhances both the blackberry and plum-infused nose and the modern, fruit-forward, easy-drinking palate. Tannins are mild but fine while mouth-watering acidity keeps everything feeling fresh and lively.
'Flexible' on the food-pairing front, making it a great dinner-party companion when you are unaware of the planned menu. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Bodegas Escorihuela 2012 '1884' Reservado Malbec (Mendoza) Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $16.99
Alcohol: 13.7%
Date Tasted: March 14th, 2014
Tasting Notes: There's a warm smokiness on the nose of this Malbec that envelopes the blue fruit, mocha and light spice aromas while hints of vanilla and oak poke through the fog adding impressive depth and complexity for this price point.
The palate is very modern with approachable berry fruit, vibrant acidity and enough residual sugar to add body and texture - happily, just a scosche of sweetness. Pepper and grapefruit peel flavours linger on the moderate-plus finish. A match for sweet'n'spicey BBQ ribs if ever there was one. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Graffigna 2011 Centenario Reserve Malbec (San Juan) Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $14.49
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 13th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Impressive intensity and balance of aromas on the nose of this Malbec with ripe blackberry and sweet spices in the lead supported by light, toasted oak and sun-drenched rock notes. Palate is front-loaded with a wave of bright, wild-berry acidity and intense mixed-berry fruit flavours, though, smooth-ish tannins and tasty spice and mineral notes linger through to a moderate finish. Enjoy this wine with a straight-forward, juicy, grilled steak. Drink now-2015.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Le Vieux Pin 2011 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BCAvailability: Direct from the winery hereCost: $TBAAlcohol: 12.7%Production: 374 cases (750ml), 60 cases (375ml)Date Tasted: March 12th, 2014Tasting Notes: The nose of this Northern-Rhone inspired Syrah is divine, with layers of white pepper, violet flowers, cured meat, vanilla-cola and black cherry aromas producing a heavenly, feminine bouquet that you will want to quaff for hours. The palate is a little more grounded on Earth with cool vintage intensity and body, offering a flavour profile of pepper, cherry, field berry, vanilla and oak. A touch of grapefruit acidity edges the balance towards sour on the long, spicy finish. Drink 2014-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Le Vieux Pin 2012 Ava (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 680 cases
Date Tasted: March 9th, 2014
Tasting Notes: The enchanting, Rhone-inspired "Ava" combines 61% Viognier, 21% Roussanne and 18% Marsanne into a deliciously rich and creamy textured wine that blends tropical and melon fruit with mineral and exotic nut aromas and flavours to create a layered, sensual wine that will stand on its own or pair with Poulet de Bresse-esque dishes. Ripe citrus fruit keeps the full-bodied palate tasting fresh and balanced through to the long, long finish where hints vanilla bean and cardamom spice linger. Drink 2012-2015.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
LaStella 2011 Maestoso "Solo" Merlot (Osoyoos Lake Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $100
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 329 cases
Date Tasted: March 7th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Supremely elegant and nuanced, LaStella's flagship wine, Maestoso, proves that 100% Merlot wines can be just as memorable and complete as equally priced Cabernet Sauvignon when handled with as much care and detailed attention that the Osoyoos Lake winery applies to this beautiful wine. Disciplined vineyard practices and a precise oak ageing program attained the desired complexity and quality; producing a sublime nose layered with dark berry, plum, chocolate-mocha, vanilla toffee and warm spice aromas with an invigorating vein of menthol lifting the developing bouquet. Similar flavours follow on the richly textured and rounded palate supported by fine, ripe tannins and balanced acidity. The finish lingers effortlessly and meaningfully.
With several hours of decanting you can enjoy this wine today, though, 2-3 more years of bottle age would maximize your investment. Drink 2016-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2013 Pinot Gris (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 12.9%
Production: 7943 cases
Date Tasted: March 5th, 2014
Tasting Notes: True to the house style, the latest edition of Tinhorn's popular Pinot Gris is lush and juicy, though, in a slightly more subtle way for 2013 than in previous years, especially on the orchard and tropical fruit-infused nose. The palate offers a nice balance between ripe fruit flavours and cool mineral'n'citrus characters with apple, pear, kumquat and river stone notes leading the way.
Finished and aged in stainless steel, 30% of the wine was allowed to go through malolactic fermentation, softening the texture and rounding the edges, though, the finish remains tangy with a hint of lingering spice and yeast flavours. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Le Vieux Pin 2012 Petit Sigma Blanc (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery hereCost: $20-22Alcohol: 13.9%Production: 700 casesDate Tasted: March 3rd, 2014Tasting Notes: Often times, when wineries produce an entry-level white blend, the released wine is light, crisp and all too often comes-off as an assemblage of the left-over lots that didn't make the grade for more prestigious labels in the portfolio. There is a practical element of this process that is (mostly) forgiveable, at the right price, but every now and then it's refreshing to discover an entry-level blend (white or red, for that matter) where the winery has clearly given great care in balancing the various components into a finished product they can truly be proud of. The Petit Sigma Blanc is such a wine.
A blend of 9 French and Germanic varieties each contributing to a lovely combination of aromatic and rich characters on the exotic fruit and floral nose and on the richly textured palate where a medley of ripe melon, tropical fruit and crisp citrus flavours mingle with stone fruit and mineral notes. Many elements and layers to experience. Drink 2014-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Nederburg Wines 2011 Manor House Cabernet Sauvignon (Paarl) South Africa
Availability: Speciality order via BCLDB
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: February 28th, 2014
Tasting Notes: A refreshingly balanced Cabernet Sauvignon for the under $20 price-point that doesn't rely on intense sweetness and enhanced acidity to mask a lack of natural charm. The Manor House Cabernet offers a pleasing mixture of ripe berry fruit, mocha, smoky oak and allspice aromas. The palate has a hint of residual sugar, thus, not truly 'dry', and the fruit from the nose takes a back seat to the smoky oak and mineral flavours on offer while smooth, mannered tannins mingle with wild berry acidity adding structure. The finish is long with lingering citrus peel notes and spice. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
