Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2012 Old Vines Foch Reserve - 91pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2012 Old Vines Foch Reserve (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 1200 cases
Date Tasted: November 20th, 2014

Tasting Notes: With a wine made from fruit harvested from 48 year old Marechal Foch vines, you might expect a unique, even exotic experience, and here, Quails' Gate delivers, yet, it's a familiar  uniqueness. Think BC Cabernet Franc mixed with the ambiance of a camp site (smoke, singed wood, BBQ meats, mulled wine, burnt marshmallows, the works).

The creamy, jammy palate offers good continuity from the palate with an emphasis on the berry and spicy plum fruit flavours which carry through to the long, balanced finish. Older vines generally produce more concentrated fruit (tough, less of it) and this wine oozes concentration. That stated, mannered tannins and acidity suggest this wine would be best appreciated in its youth or within the next 2-3 years. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2012 Merlot - 89+pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2012 Merlot (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 3177 cases
Date Tasted: November 19th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A quality, fruit-forward Merlot from West Kelowna's iconic Quails' Gate Winery that expresses a cool, masculine style on the nose with blackberry, cassis, menthol and vanilla-spice aromas.

The masculine style carries through to the palate where similar flavours are complimented with meaty, firm tannins and wild berry acidity. Cocoa nibs and herbs'n'spice notes linger on the moderate finish . Ready to go now and will hold for several more years with some further development expected. Drink 2014-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2013 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay - 90pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2013 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 1115 cases
Date Tasted: November 18th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Intense, robust and round, this is a Chardonnay for folks who want to taste the expensive French oak barrels the wine was fermented and aged in and where it developed added richness on the plump palate and yeasty characters from a secondary, malolactic fermentation (a process that softens the naturally high acid in Chardonnay). 

Beyond the winemaking techniques is beautiful and opulent orchard fruit and candied apple aromas and flavours with a long finish of lingering, steely citrus peel and Christmas spice notes. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Pascual Toso 2012 Limited Edition Malbec - 89pts

Pascual Toso 2012 Limited Edition Malbec (Maipú District) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: November 16th, 2014

Tasting Notes: At first sniff, you can appreciate the increased boldness and depth of aromas when compared to its easy-going $15 cousin, though, its unclear what is exclusive or in short supply with this Limited Edition release. Based on the overall intensity and the layers of berry, spice, smoke, oak (light) and cured meat characters, its smooth, smoky tannins and its well balanced acidity, one could guess this wine is the result of a vineyard block and/or barrel selection and a longer élevage in oak which helps to justify the higher price-tag. 

At $19 it is still excellent value and well-worth exploring - perhaps, side-by-side with the standard Malbec. Pair with roast beef or a spicy pork dish. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

LaStella 2011 La Sophia - 93+pts

LaStella 2011 La Sophia (Osoyoos Lake Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $85
Alcohol: 14.7%
Date Tasted: November 14th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Early in its development, La Sophia is a little closed today, yet, signs of its future glory are unmistakable when appreciated after a lengthy decant of 4+ hours. This is near, pitch-perfect, cool-climate Cabernet with a lovely balance between its concentrated, dark berry fruit and its complex, vegetal'n'herbs components. The feminine palate is smooth with fine, ripe tannins and hints of graphite, vanilla, coffee grinds and cherry-cola. Herbs and cassis purée linger on the long, long, smoky finish. Will evolve over a decade-plus. Drink 2016-2021+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Bodega Finca Las Moras 2012 Paz - 88pts

Bodega Finca Las Moras 2012 Paz (Valle de Perdernal) San Juan - Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: November 12th, 2014

Tasting Notes: An inky-ruby hued, very-nearly-dry Malbec from Argentina's second largest wine growing region, San Juan, which nicely balances its fruit-forward, berry and sweet plum aromas and flavours with more 'serious' notes like intense vanilla bean, licorice, mineral and oak. A light vein of herbs and spice flows through the palate and lingers on the long, mouth-watering finish.

Well worth the price and a good fit for Malbec fans who are weary of the many sweetened, overtly 'plump' examples exported from Argentina. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2012 PTG - 89pts

JoieFarm 2012 PTG (Naramata Bench) Okanagan - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here upon release
Cost: $23.90
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 650 cases
Date Tasted: November 7th, 2014

Tasting Notes: This blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Gamay, sourced from vineyards along the Naramata Bench and Skaha Bluff, opens with a robust and zesty nose of cherries, plum, wild berries, vanilla, light citrus peel and a euphony of cooking spices. The similarly flavoured, dry and medium-everything palate (body, tannins and acidity) follows with added earthy notes and dry herbs - a great combination of flavours to pair with rustic stews and roasted meats. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Graffigna 2013 Centenario Reserve Pinot Grigio - 86pts

Graffigna 2013 Centenario Reserve Pinot Grigio (San Juan) Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores

Cost: $14.49

Alcohol: 13.5%

Date Tasted: November 7th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Oh to have reviewed this wine in Summer! Now that it's winter we'll have to use this wine as a conduit back to that warm, sunny deck that where we sit with a glass of crisp, slightly off-dry white wine and soak in the imaginary rays.

Subtle on the apricot and apple scented nose, this well-priced Grigio is all about its balance of light, orchard fruit flavours, tangy tropical fruit acidity and delicate mineral notes on the palate. The taste of summer in a glass. Drink now-2015.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2012 Syrah - 92pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 14.8%
Date Tasted: November 2nd, 2014

Tasting Notes: Aromas of smoke, cured meats, white pepper and minerals may make you think first of the Northern Rhone, but really, this is pure Okanagan and one of the valley's best examples of how Syrah can thrive in BC when planted in the right areas and handled with tough love, as they do at Painted Rock Estate Winery. 

BC's best Syrah wines, like this estate grown example, showcase the variety's natural floral notes and balance the savoury, Old World characters of the Rhone with crowd-pleasing, New World, dark red fruit - the best of both worlds.

Managing the aggressive Syrah vines in the vineyard is key to unlocking its full potential and Painted Rock's pruning and canopy management program is among the most detailed, vine-by-vine, you're ever likely to come across.

This wine sees 18 months in 50% new oak (an 80-20 split of French and American barrels) which contributes added depth and complexity with nuances of caramel, vanilla, clove and other spices. The palate is dry with very smooth tannins and smokiness to the texture. There's good continuity from the nose on offer with an emphasis on red fruit flavours and a bright, wild berry acidity. Drink 2015-2020+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Bodega Renacer 2012 Punta Final Malbec - 86pts

Bodega Renacer 2012 Punta Final Malbec (Mendoza) Argentina

Availability: Widely available
Cost: $15.99 (BCLDB Stores)
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: November 5th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Certainly, a dark and brooding Malbec with blackberry and black currant fruit aromas mingling with licorice and charred oak notes. Good continuity from the nose to the medium+ bodied palate where the emphasis is on blackberry purée, spice, mannered tannins and mouth-watering acidity, making this Malbec very food-friendly. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

LaStella 2012 Fortissimo - 91+pts

LaStella 2012 Fortissimo (Osoyoos Lake Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 14.9%
Production: 833 cases (750ml), 113 cases (375ml), 96 magnums, 12 dbl magnums
Date Tasted: November 2nd, 2014

Tasting Notes: I never like to quote a winery's marketing material, but Fortissimo's tag line "Old world meets the New World" is hard to beat. The wine is equal parts, ripe, BC Meritage and savoury, traditional Chianti. When combined, the result is an Okanagan version of a modern, 'Super-Tuscan', with fragrant, feminine aromas of sweet berry purée, floral incense, anise and oak spice coupled with comforting notes of tapenande and tomato stock. 

The palate offers good continuity from the nose and showcases flavours and structural elements from each of the blended components: 39% Merlot (juicy, mixed-berry fruit, alcohol viscosity), 38% Cabernet Franc (plum, vegetal, rustic tannins, texture), 17% Cabernet Sauvignon (dark berry notes, extra tannins) and 6% Sangiovese (savoury, huckleberry acidity).

The wine is aged for 19 months in French and Hungarian oak prior to bottling. Be sure to decant properly for 2+ hours if you plan to open a bottle this year. Drink 2015-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay - 93pts

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine shops
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: November 1st, 2014

Tasting Notes: My favourite words for the Painted Rock Chardonnay are "consistency", "pure" and "effortless". And its the last word of the bar-setting trio that makes this wine such a stand out. The nose is generous with layers of pure fruit (orchard, citrus, tropical) supported by French oak, minerals and light brioche aromas, but it is the effortless palate that is most memorable. 

The refined, round and deceptively complex palate offers a slightly effervescent texture with intense flavours of melon, tangerine, caramel, vanilla, spice and warm brioche contrasted beautifully by tangy green apple and cool stonefruit notes through to the long, long finish. Chardonnay at its cool-climate best. Drink 2014-2018+
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2013 Chardonnay - 88pts

SpierHead Winery 2013 Chardonnay (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $23
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 270 cases
Date Tasted: November 1st, 2014
@spierheadwinery

Tasting Notes: A delicate nose of apricot and nectarine aromas opens this Chardonnay with a susurrus of brioche and mineral notes in the background. Hailing from East Kelowna, the wine balances its sweet orchard fruit and tangy citrus elements nicely with a cool mineral backbone and a kiss of residual sugar. Spice and lime rind flavours linger on the finish. Drink 2014-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay - 89pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 4500 cases
Date Tasted: November 1st, 2014

Tasting Notes: A round, warm-brioche and baked apple infused nose with additional, intriguing notes of kiwi, stonefruit and light lemon curd. The dry palate starts and finishes with tangy citrus and green apple flavours and acidity. Between the mouth-watering bookends is a vein of lean minerals, plump tropical fruit and a hint of oak. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca