Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2012 Merlot - 88pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 14.9%
Production: 7790 cases
Date Tasted: September 30th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A beautiful, berry'n'herb infused wine from the warm 2012 vintage which should rekindle your secret, repressed flame for easy-drinking Merlot (deep-down, you know you love to drink it). Sweet blackberry, black currant, vanilla bean, wild sage, cooking spice, lavender and lemon-thyme aromas grace the approachable nose.

The palate has good continuity from the nose with more focus on the berry fruit characters whilst integrating fine contributions from barrel and bottle ageing and finishing with a mouth-watering kick of fresh berry acidity. Overall balance skews slightly hot with nearly 15% residual alcohol to try and corral, a tall task for a medium-plus bodied wine. Ready to go now and will hold for another 2-3 years. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Maverick Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay - 89pts

Maverick Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $26.50
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 100 cases
Date Tasted: September 28th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A sensual, feminine Chardonnay with a lovely, perfumed nose of orange blossom, apricot, white peach, Golden Delicious apple and vanilla bean aromas. The palate is expressive and juicy with ripe orchard fruit and melon flavours galore. Mix in a touch of spice, light mineral notes, a kick of citrus acidity and the loving embrace of 5 months in 100% new French oak and you have yourself a lush, yet, refreshing Chardonnay. Drink 2013-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon - 89pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: September 27th, 2014
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: This Cabernet Sauvignon is loaded with sagey-herbal-goodness on the nose with black and red currant fruit and toasted French oak aromas playing more of a supporting role. The medium bodied palate makes the most of its cool-vintage roots, focusing more on continuing the savoury-herb theme from the nose than showcasing intense ripe fruit that isn't there. What is there is delightfully South Okanagan with spices, herbs, coffee grinds, wild berry fruit and some greenness in the tannins. Finishes with a nice kick of huckleberry acidity, keeping the palate fresh and food-friendly.

Ready to go now. A vintage to enjoy while your collection of Burrowing Owl Cabs from hotter years mature in your cellar. Drink 2014-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2011 Athene - 90pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2011 Athene (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $38
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: September 25th, 2014
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: Burrowing Owl's 'other' blend, is this lovely Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon melange (55-45, respectively) that successfully combines the classic characteristics of both varieties, producing a nose that pairs pepper with cassis and cherry-cola with dusty sagebrush while warm, toasted oak and light floral aromas add a touch of sweet femininity.

The palate is full and flavourful, with a juicy, dark and red fruit entry giving way to savoury, meaty notes and finishing dry with fresh, wild berry acidity and dusty, fine tannins. A touch of bell pepper greenness lingers with the proud, spicy-pepper. 

Ready to go now and will drink nicely for the next 3-4 years. Drink 2014-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2013 Viognier - 90pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2013 Viognier (East Bench Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $21.99
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 127 cases
Date Tasted: September 23rd 2014

Tasting Notes: On par with the firm's excellent 2010 edition, this is an exotic Viognier with layers of tropical fruit and loads of tangy, yeasty texture that grips both your palate and attention. 

Via the subtle nose you'll breath in aromas of ripe papaya, lemon/lime and cool minerals while the concentrated palate offers good continuity and similar characters. Plump and full, upon entry, thanks to the lush, tropical fruit flavours, partial oak ageing and the 5 months the wine spent "sur-lees" post-fermentation, meaning it remained in contact with its spent yeast particles, imparting warm brioche notes and enriching the mouth feel. 

Balance is maintained with juicy, ripe lemon acidity, keeping the finish mouth-watering and long with lingering spice. Delightful. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

J Vineyards and Winery 2013 Vin Gris - 90pts

J Vineyards and Winery 2013 Vin Gris (Russian River Valley) California - USA

Availability: Specialty wine shops in BC or direct from winery here
Cost: $20 (USD), $24-26 (CDN)
Alcohol: 14.3%
Production: 5,000 cases
Date Tasted: September 21st, 2014

Tasting Notes: This beautiful, medium salmon-hued rosé open with a lovely, sun-drenched nose of ripe strawberry, peach fuzz, rose water, cran-apple and light citrus aromas. The palate is delightfully smooth and balanced with bright red fruit, steely mineral and tangy citrus flavours galore while a hint of tannins linger on the long, spice'n'lemon rind-infused finish. An excellent, food-friendly rosé to be enjoyed in its youth. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2012 Family Reserve Meritage - 90pts

Gold Hill Winery 2012 Family Reserve Meritage (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $34.90
Alcohol: 14.3%
Date Tasted: September 20th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A nice entry into the popular 'big-blend' category for the Golden Mile-based winery from the Southern Okanagan. A sweetly scented, feminine nose billows from the glass with engaging, blackberry, cassis, raspberry seeds, pine needles, sweet pipe tobacco, vanilla-mocha and French oak aromas. The blend is 33% Merlot and equal parts Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented to a nearly dry level where just a kiss of residual sugar lingers and helps enhance the fullness of the palate where the focus is on robust, dark fruit flavours with light savoury notes playing 2nd fiddle. Tannins are ripe and supportive but could use a little more bite. Enjoy now and over the next 3-4 years. Pair with BBQ'd sticky ribs. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2014

Chateau Des Charmes 2012 Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard Chardonnay - 88pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2012 Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard Chardonnay (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $21.95
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 491 cases
Date Tasted: September 20th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Lovers of creamy, tropical fruit infused Chardonnay will enjoy this offering from the Niagara Peninsula's Chateau Des Charmes. Minerals and citrus fruit flavours and acidity give the wine a nice backbone, keeping the wine from feeling flabby in the mouth. Look for honeycomb, melons, ripe pineapple, papaya, lime rind, river rocks, grapefruit, golden apples and oak influenced aromas and flavours. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2011 Meritage - 90-91pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2011 Meritage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $45
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: September 17th, 2014
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: A dense, masculine blend of Bordeaux varieties that opens with a complex nose of cool blackberry, wild red currant, menthol, black cherry, coffee grinds, cardamom and baking spice aromas. The medium-plus bodied palate is loaded with brooding, dark fruit and toasted oak flavours, with light, savoury notes adding depth. Fine tannins, though a tad green, structure the palate nicely, adding texture and length. Finishes dry and dusty with smoky spice lingering for a good long while. Would benefit from another year in the bottle to round-out the broodiness on the palate. Drink mid-2015-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2012 Red Icon - 93+pts

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2012 Red Icon (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $55
Alcohol: 14.9%
Date Tasted: September 17th, 2014

@PaintedRockWine

Tasting Notes: Though the components change year-to-year, Painted Rock's Red Icon is an exceptionally consistent, high-end blend that successfully executes its but de vie to deliver complex, New World flavours wrapped in an elegant, Old World structure.

This year's Icon sees 31% Malbec blended with 28% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc and 15% Petit Verdot, offering a gorgeous, feminine nose of spiced plum, sweet red fruit, light vanilla-mocha and floral aromas. The understated, refined, palate follows with both dark and red fruit flavours creating the perception of sweetness upon entry, supported by silky-smooth tannins, rich savoury notes and effortless acidity through the very long, dry and balanced finish.

As with the 2011, the 2012 is approachable in its youth and should enjoy a long life in your cellar with further development a bankable commodity. Drink 2015-2022+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca


Also see:
Painted Rock Estate Winery 2011 Red Icon

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2010 Red Icon
Painted Rock Estate Winery 2009 Red Icon

Stag's Hollow Winery 2013 Grenache - 90pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2013 Grenache (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Releases on September 19th on International Grenache day, direct from the winery here, 
Cost: $29.99
Alcohol: 14.3%
Production: 100 cases
Date Tasted: September 16th, 2014
@Stagshollow

Tasting Notes: This year's edition of the Stag's Hollow Grenache sees the Okanagan Falls winery blend in 8% Syrah, presumably to enhance the nose and add a little extra umph to the juicy, feminine palate.

Still youthful, the nose needs hours to open up. When it does, it reveals beautiful layers of perfumed incense, huckleberry, sage brush, wild flowers, cooking spice, cola bottle candy and a plethora of other red fruit aromas. As with the 2012, the palate offers excellent continuity from the nose and though the concentration and length are slightly more reserved in 2013, the overall balance is superb with a nice kick of fresh berry acidity, helping the rich, rounded mouth feel finish fresh. 

Best enjoyed in early 2015. Drink 2015-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Mt. Boucherie Winery 2011 Sémillon - 88pts

Mt. Boucherie Winery 2011 Sémillon (Okanagan Valley) BC


Availability: VQA stores and direct from the winery here
Cost: $15.50
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: September 12th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A refreshing and crisp version of the Bordeaux variety that offers a nice blend of tangy citrus, juicy peach and mouth watering green apple flavours after a similarly themed, yet, fuller, citrus and nectarine infused nose. Finishes a tad sharp, though, lingering mineral and lime peel notes add to its inherent liveliness. Great value for money at the $15 price point. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2012 Syrah - 89pts

Gold Hill Winery 2012 Syrah (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: September 13th, 2014

Tasting Notes: An intense nose greats you with prominent cherry-cola, spicy plum, cured meat and French oak vanilla aromas on the nose of this youthful Syrah from Golden Mile Bench producer Gold Hill. The full bodied palate follows with intense red fruit and savoury elements, on the long finish, where dark cherry, blackberry liqueur and coffee grind flavours are offset by tangy acidity and meaty tannins. A touch of lingering spice and vanilla extract keeps you engaged and wanting another mouth-watering sip. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2011 Syrah - 89pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2011 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: September 11th, 2014
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: Opens with a beautiful and attention grabbing nose of sweet red fruit, warm plum cake, vanilla bean and toasted oak aromas. The style is very feminine and inviting with memory-cueing cooking spice notes framing the fruity bouquet. The palate is cooler and less generous, reflective of the cooler growing season of 2011, but, there are some nice Hermitage-meets-Paso Robles themed components blending nicely; black pepper, stony minerality, cherry-cola, light menthol, spicy plum sauce and a touch of greenness in the tannins. Enjoy this middleweight Syrah over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2014-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2010 'Old Vines' Pinot Noir - 88pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2010 'Old Vines' Pinot Noir (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO Vintages stores
Cost: $18.95
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 504 cases
Date Tasted: September 10th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Released 4 years from harvest, this 'Old Vines' Pinot Noir was sourced from the Niagara-On-The-Lake winery's oldest Pinot Noir plantings and has already developed nicely in the bottle, showing a wide spectrum of earth, mineral and red fruit aromas enveloped by toasted oak, adding depth and warmth. The dry palate follows with an Old World leaning flavour profile of mushroom and forest floor earthiness supported by cherry and tomato stock notes leading to a long, balanced finish with lingering acidity and slightly bitter, dusty tannins. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Maverick Estate Winery 2013 Pinot Gris - 89pts

Maverick Estate Winery 2013 Pinot Gris (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 270 cases
Date Tasted: September 5th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A textured and flavourful Pinot Gris which sees a quarter of the wine fermented in oak and the rest in stainless steel, delivering a rich and well balanced version of the grape. After fermentation the Gris is aged on its lees for 3 months and blended with 10% Gewürztraminer to enhance the floral notes on the otherwise orchard fruit and mineral-driven nose and to add a light oily component to the already complex mouth feel. The palate, creamy upon entry, shows good continuity from the nose with added grapefruit flavours and crisp lemon/lime acidity, keeping the finish lively and refreshing. Drink 2013-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2012 Pinot Noir - 86pts

Gold Hill Winery 2012 Pinot Noir (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 13.4%
Date Tasted: September 3rd, 2014

Tasting Notes: An easy-drinking, medium-garnet hued Pinot Noir with both fruit and savoury elements on the cherry-cola and cooking spice infused nose and on theblack cherry and  raspberry seed flavoured palate. Residual sugar and oak ageing adds body and texture, though, fresh fruit acidity keeps the finish fluid where savoury spices linger moderately. Ready to go now and likely best enjoyed in its youth. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc - 90pts

Gold Hill Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and BC VQA stores
Cost: $26.90
Alcohol: 13.7%
Date Tasted: September 1st, 2014

Tasting Notes: A consistent achiever in the hands of Gold Hill, their latest vintage displays all of the classic BC-Franc notes of sagebrush, dried herbs and ripe, wild berry fruit on the aromatic and French oak-kissed nose. The ripe berry fruit carries through to the dry palate where it's balanced with savoury, cured meat, mocha and vanilla flavours and framed by rounded tannins. Fresh acidity keeps the moderate finish lively where spice lingers. Ready to go now and will hold for another 2-3 years. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2014

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Franc - 89pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Franc (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 4782 cases
Date Tasted: September 1st, 2014

Tasting Notes: Sourced from the winery's Diamondback Vineyard along the Black Sage Bench, this clear, medium-ruby hued Cabernet Franc offers ripe blackberry and huckleberry fruit aromas complimented by a sweet smelling medley of wild sagebrush, dried bay leaf and pipe tobacco notes. 

The dry palate has a restrained richness, with some fullness originating from the secondary "malolactic" fermentation (a process that softens the residual acidity), yet, it remains refreshing and fluid with a masculine profile of bright, berry fruit, cooking spices, light oak and mineral flavours. Tannins are of the rounded, easy-drinking variety which support early consumption. Should make for perfect Fall weather and hearty food pairings like beefy stews and savoury roasts. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2013 Viognier - 84pts

Gold Hill Winery 2013 Viognier (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery gate. Website info here
Cost: $21.90
Alcohol: 14.9%
Production: 180 cases
Date Tasted: August 5th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Opulent, melon, pear and tropical fruit aromas open this uneven Viognier whose watery texture and lack of complexity fail to balance the (almost) 15% residual alcohol, leaving the palate feeling 'hot' and out-of-synch from the pleasant nose.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca