JoieFarm 2013 Riesling (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $22.90
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 1100 cases
Date Tasted: April 29th, 2014
Tasting Notes: What JoieFarm always do so well with their Riesling is direct ample attention towards the aromatics (they make the first impression, after all). Whether it be from vineyard or winemaking techniques, the wine is encouraged to be as expressive on the nose as it is on the palate. A successful approach that yields a joyous bounty of honeydew melon, lemon zest, pear, flint and light herbal aromas. The palate is unabashedly off-dry, bursting with pineapple, kiwi, Fiji apple and mineral flavours, yet, finely tuned with generous amounts of lemon/lime acidity keeping the sweetness in-check, without detracting from the delicate tropical fruit characters.
Finish is crisp, long and mouth watering, leaving you thirsty for another sip or another bite of your spicy, Pan-Asian dish. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2013 Gewurztraminer (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $16.99
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 6080 cases
Date Tasted: April 28th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Produced in a classic Alsatian style which focuses less on opulent, 'fat' tropical fruit and more on a lean, citrus'n'mineral profile with pleasant aromas of orange zest, light spice, green apple skins and orange blossom. The palate possesses off-dry levels of residual sugar, but never feels heavy (for better, for worse, depending on your 'Goo' preference) thanks to refreshing, mouth-watering, green apple acidity and a vein of minerals that runs through to the short-ish finish. Makes for a crisp and tasty patio sipper when you need revitalization from the sun. Drink now-2015.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2013 Dry Riesling (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BCAvailability: Direct from winery here and VQA storesCost: $16.99Alcohol: 11.5%Production: 4260 casesDate Tasted: April 26th, 2014Tasting Notes: Pale straw in colour, this Riesling from West Kelowna's iconic Quails' Gate Winery is crisp and vibrant delivering apple, pear, pinapple and citrus fruit aromas and flavours grounded by a strong backbone of stonefruit. The palate gets some body from 9g/l of residual sugar, yet, finishes dry and refreshing thanks to well-balanced grapefruit acidity. Enjoy this Riesling in its youth as a go-to Summer Sipper whenever succulent seafood is on the menu like scallops or crab, or simply a sun-drenched deck. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 23 Camels White (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 204 cases
Date Tasted: April 26th, 2014
Tasting Notes: A fresh, crisp, dry blend of 46% Riesling, 42% Chardonnay and 12% Pinot Gris, all sourced from Lillooet. The muted nose has subtle layers of orchard and tropical fruits like pears, papaya and citrus peel. The palate skews towards tart in its balance between the citrus fruit characters and its plump, apple and pear flavours. Mineral and light spice notes follow on the moderate finish.
Serve chilled as a refreshing patio sipper whose absence of residual sugar will keep your palate feeling renewed and will pair nicely with an assortment of patio-friendly tapas. Drink now-2015.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Riesling (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $18
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 610 cases
Date Tasted: April 23rd, 2014
Tasting Notes: Most impressive. Subtle, at first, especially if served too cold. Awakens after a breather in the glass and a chance to warm-up to room temperature, revealing a hidden opulence of warm, inviting orchard fruit aromas and cool, mineral and green apple peel notes. The palate offers off-dry levels of residual sugar (13g/l), yet, finishes almost dry thanks to equal counterbalance of green apple and citrus acidity. Zesty fruit flavours and stonefruit minerality linger on past the mouth watering affects of the crisp acid. Yum.
Fort Berens is carving out a nice niche for themselves as producers of one of BC's most consistent and affordable, terroir-driven Rieslings. $18 is a steal for wine that ticks most, if not all of the boxes that Riesling fanatics look for when choosing their next bottle of what Jancis Robertson calls "indisputably the greatest white wine grape in the world...". Now, Chardonnay lovers may argue that point, but what they wouldn't dispute is that Riesling sourced from Fort Berens' own Lillooet vineyard is both unique and very tasty and well worth the under $20 price tag.
Enjoy this wine in its youth or experiment with putting 1-2 away for a long sleep and see if any aged Riesling characters like honey nectar flavours or petroleum aromas appear over time, though, the winery's still youthful vineyard may not yet support lengthy ageing (perhaps, the one box this wine doesn't yet 'tick'). Drink 2014-2017+?
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Pinot Gris (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA storesCost: $18Alcohol: 13.5%Production: 520 casesDate Tasted: April 22nd, 2014Tasting Notes: The Fort Berens Pinot Gris, now sourced from 100% Lillooet-grown fruit, packs a punch! The nose makes an immediate impact with intense, raw aromas of citrus and melon fruit followed by gnarly grass and herbaceous notes - very Sauvignon Blanc-esque. The palate is equally boisterous with similar flavours and a powerful wave of citrus acidity, which is surprisingly well-balanced given its intensity. The finish is impressively long with hints of herbs, lemon peel and minerals lingering through to the next sip. Invigorating. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2015.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Church and State Wines 2011 Merlot (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 1350 cases
Date Tasted: April 20th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Quite an intense nose for a moderately priced BC Merlot with loads of blackberry and black currant puree aromas and some savoury notes like coffee grinds, spice and cedar adding depth. Lots of oak on the dry palate follows where dark fruit flavours are perceptible but play second fiddle to the toasty and earthy flavours. Mouth feel is vibrant and intense with meaty tannins and bright acidity. The finish, although a tad bitter, is moderately long and offers the distinct taste of Christmas cake in all its spicy-candied fruit glory. Drink 2014-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Church and State Wines 2010 Coyote Bowl Series Petit Verdot Malbec (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $34.90
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 160 cases
Date Tasted: April 19th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Feminine and complex, the nose of this Petit Verdot and Malbec blend opens with lovely aniseed, charred oak, vanilla bean, black cherry fruit and sweet pipe smoke aromas. The dry palate comes across much more masculine with bell pepper and mineral flavours added to the mix of dark fruit, spice and toasted oak characters. Smooth tannins structure the flavours well through to the long, balanced finish where white pepper lingers.
Sadly, this spicy wine is sold out at the winery, though, you may be able to source it restaurants or private wine shops. If you do, it's ready to go now and should improve further over the next 2-3 years. Drink 2014-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Painted Rock Estate Winery 2011 Red Icon (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $55
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: April 16th, 2014
Tasting Notes: The ever changing components of Painted Rock's flagship wine, Red Icon, sees the 2011 vintage favour Malbec (30%) for the first time while the rest of the classic Bordeaux blending partners come in at 27% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot and just 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. The result is a slightly more playful nose with sweet berry fruit highlights supported by gorgeous perfume, vanilla and floral aromas - very feminine and joyful.
The palate, as expected, is complex and offers a great combination of both powerful and delicate flavours - a trademark of the wine's lineage. Dark and red fruits, savoury and sweet flavours all wrapped in the loving embrace of ultra-fine tannins and effortless acidity.
More approachable in its youth than previous vintages, the 2011 is ready to go now (with proper decanting, of course) and will likely improve as its predecessors have proved, with another 2-3 years of bottle age. Drink 2014-2019+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Also see:
Painted Rock Estate Winery 2010 Red Icon
Painted Rock Estate Winery 2009 Red Icon
Church and State Wines 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (East Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 1000 cases
Date Tasted: April 15th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Lots to like and pick-out on the nose of this Osoyoos-sourced Caberner Sauvignon with aromas of blackberry, cola, mint, black raspberry and light French oak. Balance is a tad sharp on the masculine, dry palate, though, the dark fruit, cocoa and cooking spice flavours are framed nicely by firm tannins and rhubarb acidity on the moderate finish. Should hold for several more years if you're looking to put a few away for future consideration. Otherwise, open now and allow time for decanting. Pair with a chocolate plate after a savoury dinner to finish off the night in style. Drink 2014-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Church and State Wines 2009 Coyote Bowl Series Meritage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $34.90
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 975 cases
Date Tasted: April 13th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Another excellent Bordeaux-inspired blend from the Southern Okanagan's hot 2009 vintage. Church and State's Meritage follows the Left Bank recipe of a Cabernet Sauvignon-leading blend with Merlot and Cabernet Franc adding backbone and approachable fruit to the otherwise, smoke-infused nose and palate where French-oak influence is prominent and appealing.
At 5 years of age, the dusty tannins are beginning to mellow and round, yet, the acid and dark fruit core remains youthful and vibrant. Will easily hold for another 5-6 years with proper cellaring, though, its peak will come sooner. Drink 2016-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
See Ya Later Ranch 2013 Gewurztraminer (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BCAvailability: Available at BCLDB and VQA stores. Winery site hereCost: $14-17Alcohol: 13.5%Date Tasted: April 10th, 2014Tasting Notes: Part of Constellation Brands' large family of BC wineries, See Ya Later Ranch has done a good job remaining the least 'corporate' feeling of their many Okanagan properties, producing a wide range of approachable, well-made, single-varietal wines and blends. Their Gewurztraminer fits the mould with its playful nose and ripe, juicy, off-dry palate, balanced nicely with crab apple acidity. Lychee and white peach aromas and flavours dominate while apple cider and mineral notes add complexity.
Most vintages feature 10-15% Ehrenfelser blended in for added drama and tangyness. Enjoy this wine in the year it was produced or within 1-2 years afterwards. A fine summer sipper and a great match for popcorn. Drink now-2015.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Church and State Wines 2011 Cabernet Franc (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 700 cases
Date Tasted: April 10th, 2014
Tasting Notes: After 2 hrs of decanting, this youthful Cabernet Franc will begin to reveal sweetened pot-pourri and crushed fresh flower notes which float delicately above the blueberry, black cherry and vanilla aromas. A dry, mouth watering palate follows with a nice balance of acidic, wild berry fruit flavours and savoury notes of oak, bitter chocolate, coffee beans and light spice. Despite the brightness of the fruit, the finish is long and measured with lingering, grippy tannins and dusty cocoa powder.
With its hints of chocolate on the palate and finish, this wine will make for a killer companion to salted, dark chocolate caramels as an after dinner treat. Another year of bottle age will do nicely. Drink 2015-2017+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Church and State Wines 2012 Gravelbourg Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $26.90
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 750 cases
Date Tasted: April 9th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Church and State's Gravelbourg Chardonnay is an exploration of texture and of the masculine qualities of the Burgundian grape, with the former enhanced from extended lees contact during élevage, adding fullness to the mouth feel and imparting brioche aromas and flavours.
Cool, crisp and full of minerals, yet, fruit-forward and a successful advocate for the beneficial effect of French oak on Chardonnay. Apples, pears, apricots and peaches; a veritable plethora of classic orchard fruit. The finish is well balanced with green apple acidity keeping the ripe fruit in order while minerals linger through to the next sip.
Sealed with a Stelvin cap enclosure to lock in the freshness. Should hold for a few more years, but why wait? Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Chateau Des Charmes 2012 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (Niagara-on-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $14.95
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 3000 cases
Date Tasted: April 7th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Deceptively complex on the nose beyond the initial intense wave of blackberry purée and vanilla coke aromas with lovely notes of smoked meats, herbs, cashews and cedar shavings in the background. Palate is not as layered, delivering straight-forward, bright dark fruit flavours and savoury notes like leather, graphite and oak. Balance sways a tad sharp, though, firm tannins form a sound structure and keep this Cab grilled-meats friendly. Great value for money. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Stag's Hollow Winery 2011 Renaissance Merlot (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here, VQA stores
Cost: $30Alcohol: 14%Date Tasted: April 6th, 2014Tasting Notes: Fresh herbs blend seamlessly with the classic dark fruit and mocha aromas on the nose of this beautiful Merlot from Stag's Hollow signalling its provenance: 100% estate sourced fruit from Okanagan Falls. This reserve-tier wine enjoyed a 15 month sleep in 100% new American oak, ushering a feminine, Allspice bouquet and good continuity through to the dry palate where the oak treatment is most welcomed; contributing fine tannins and lingering spices on the long finish.
As with most of the Renaissance Merlot releases, this one has been blended with 3% Cabernet Sauvignon to help add structure and increase its ageing potential. Drinking well now, but to maximize your investment I recommend waiting another 2 years, if you have the patience. Drink 2016-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Stag's Hollow Winery 2013 Riesling (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 11.5%
Production: 380 cases
Date Tasted: April 1st, 2014
Tasting Notes: This is a single vineyard Riesling sourced from the Osoyoos area which focuses on the juxtaposition of its sweet and acidic characters by way of contrasting ripe orchard and tart citrus fruit flavours and aromas.
The nose boasts lively apricot, white peach, lime peel and orange blossom notes while the off-dry palate preens with honeyed citrus fruit flavours off-set by mouth-watering green apple acidity through to a moderate finish.
This is a BC Riesling with a great shot at ageing gracefully thanks to Botrytis affected fruit at harvest time. Look for nectarine-like aromas and flavours to appear over time, though, if you can't wait, its drinking beautifully now. Drink now-2018+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Black Cloud 2011 Altostratus Pinot Noir (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Private wine shops or direct from the winery here
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 13.2%
Production: 101 cases (750ml), 52 magnum bottles
Date Tasted: April 1st, 2014
Tasting Notes: Produced by current Township 7 winemaker Bradley Cooper, the 'Altostratus' is the high-end Pinot of a duo of wines produced by his micro-label side project, Black Cloud. Where its younger sister is 'subtle', the Altostratus is 'supple' with a lush, harmonious expression of BC Pinot Noir that combines a sweet-scented, joyous nose of ripe red fruit, pot-pourri and spice aromas with a well-balanced, red fruit'n'earth palate structured by fine tannins and fresh, alpine berry acidity.
Give this beauty another year in the bottle for further integration. Drink 2015-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Black Cloud 2012 Fleuvage Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Private wine shops or direct from the winery here
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 12.6%
Production: 98 cases
Date Tasted: April 1st, 2014
Tasting Notes: The 'Fleuvage' could be considered the younger sister, or perhaps, the understudy, to Black Cloud's showcase Pinot Noir 'Altostratus'. Lighter, unassuming and even innocent, one could say. The analogy certainly applies to the light-bodied palate where subtle, huckleberry, truffle and cedar flavours would be drowned-out by the 'louder' Altostratus in direct comparison, but when enjoyed on its own, makes for a pleasant, modest expression of Pinot Noir.
The quaff-able nose, too, is quite light with classic Pinot Noir aromas of red fruit and forest floor. Overall, the wine represents its terroir admirably; a youthful vineyard along the Naramata Bench. Enjoy the Fleuvage as you wait for your Altostratus to mature. Drink now-2015.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
