Le Vieux Pin 2012 "Cuvée Classique" Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $45
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 393 cases
Date Tasted: January 30th, 2015
Tasting Notes: A denser, more masculine Syrah than its vintage cousin, the "Cuvée Violette", with concentrated cool berry and menthol aromas supported by handsome cherry-cola, vanilla-spice and light incense notes. This is a nose you can appreciate for hours.
The palate is equally impressive with a concentrated, yet, elegant medley of cherry, white pepper and savoury flavours supported by fine tannins and a great kick of acid before the long, balanced finish takes over.
Ready to go now, though, will age comfortably in your cellar for another 5-6 years. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Maison Louis Latour 2011 Bourgogne Gamay (Burgundy AOC) - France
Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: January 28th, 2015
Tasting Notes: This Gamay, sourced from multiple vineyard sites in Burgundy, is fruit-driven on the nose with lovely, raspberry and spicy plum aromas supported by light notes of cola, vanilla and a hint of menthol. The palate is refreshing with acidity that slowly builds, rather than smashing your mouth at first sip. There is equal parts juicy red fruit and bright, tangy berries. A touch more tannin on the finish than its Beaujolais-Village cousins to the South. Enjoy with stews and leaner meats. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2013 Gamay Noir (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Sold out. Contact winery here for the next release
Cost: $22.90
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: January 26th, 2015
Tasting Notes: Needs a good long decant to open-up and settle, revealing a pleasant nose of wild berry and mixed dried fruit aromas with soft notes of mocha and light caramel. The palate is Beaujolaise-Village-like with a nice balance of texture between bright, red fruit and fleshy, gamey flavours and finishes long with lingering spice. Drink mid-2015-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Mt. Boucherie Winery 2012 Family Reserve Gamay Noir (Okanagan Valley) BC
Availability: VQA stores and direct from the winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.9%
Production: 1338 casesDate Tasted: January 23rd, 2015
Tasting Notes: Vanilla-Cherry Coke and Christmas Cake spice aromas greet you on the nose of this funky Gamay Noir from Mt. Boucherie. The palate offers a medley of tastes from sweet, juicy red fruit, to tangy cranberry acidity to earthy herbs'n'spice. Tannins are mild and play second fiddle to the texture provided from the lively acidity and rustic notes. Drink 2015-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Chateau Des Charmes 2012 Gamay Noir (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $13.95
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 1991 cases
Date Tasted: January 21st, 2015
Tasting Notes: A raw, in-your-face Gamay Noir that smells and tastes (rather specifically) like a handful of crushed, slightly under-ripe, black cherries soaked in POM Wonderful juice. Beyond the fruit lies layers of earthy flavours and sweet'n'spicy liqueur notes. Tannins are mild - it is the bright acidity that frames this wine. Drink now-2015.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
JoieFarm 2012 Gamay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $23.90
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 490 cases
Date Tasted: January 21st, 2015
Tasting Notes: This medium-ruby hued Gamay is sourced from a single-vineyard on the Naramata Bench and boasts an engaging, savoury nose of cured meats, bay leaf, warm rocks, onion salt and white pepper aromas with ripe berry notes adding a layer of sweetness to the developing bouquet.
Though the palate is "fruit-forward", it is by no means one-dimensional, offering fresh, wild berry acidity and flavours with added notes of iron and dry herbs and supported by mild, fine tannins. The moderate finish is balanced and palate-cleansing - perfect for food pairing. Enjoy this wine in its youth with Westcoast cusine like cedar-plank, BBQ salmon (skin on and super crispy). Drink 2015-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Michel Torino 2013 Cuma Torrontés (Cafayate Valley) Salta - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: January 19th, 2015
Tasting Notes: A straight-forward, yet, impressively balanced Torrontés, sourced from organically farmed vineyards, offering an unctuous entry of plump, peaches and cream flavours leading to a citrus-y, refreshing finish where stonefruit, lemon zest and spice notes linger. Enjoy with spicy, Asian fare like Thai green curry. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Chateau Des Charmes 2012 ‘Old Vines’ Cabernet-Merlot (Niagara-on-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario
Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $19.95
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 976 cases
Date Tasted: January 15th, 2015
Tasting Notes: An Old World-styled, cool-climate Meritage blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc that draws inspiration from Bordeaux and delivers a nice balance of dark fruit, vegetal and oak flavours and aromas. Nutmeg and dried herbs add depth to the feminine nose while the dry palate is made memorable due to lingering spice and supportive, dusty tannins. Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Bodegas Trapiche 2013 Extravaganza (Mendoza) Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores and Everything Wine
Cost: $16.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: January th, 2015
Tasting Notes: This blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Syrah opens with sweet, red fruit puree aromas and hints of mint and spice on the feminine nose. This is followed by an off-dry, straight-forward palate of intense ripe berry and spicy-cherry fruit flavours with mild, smoky tannins and a bright, lip smacking finish that helps counter-balance the residual sugar. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Bartier Bros. 2013 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26.90
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 182 cases
Date Tasted: January 11th, 2015
Tasting Notes: Though only "a portion" of this Chardonnay was fermented in 1 year old oak barrels (percentages not listed), the influence of 5 months of lees contact and natural micro-oxygenation shows prominently on the spills-out-of-the-glass intense, yeast'n'toffee-infused nose. Orchard fruit, herbs, citrus peel and smoky flint aromas round-out the complex, developing bouquet.
The palate first takes a savoury turn with herbs, spice and minerals upon entry, then, resolves to showcase citrus fruit, both juicy and tart, through to the tangy and minerally finish. Drink now-2018+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Bartier Bros. 2013 Unoaked Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Not yet released. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: January 8th, 2015
Tasting Notes: Some unoaked Chardonnay crumble under the weight of the grape's powerful, natural acidity and attack one's palate with reckless abandon. The Bartier Bros. edition spends no time mellowing in oak barrels, yet, delivers a pleasing balance between its rounded, leesy edges and its crisp, mineral-citrus textures and flavour profile. Apple, pear, slate, river stone and grapefruit aromas and flavours are supported by rich custard and brioche notes producing a multi-dimensional wine worthy of traditional oaked Chardonnay food pairings without the concern of dominating, woody flavours. Drink now-through-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Viña Chela 2013 Reserve Malbec (Mendoza) Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores and Everything Wine
Cost: $14.99
Alcohol: 13.8%
Date Tasted: January 12th, 2015
Tasting Notes: A supremely smooth and balanced wine for the price point with an unapologetic, easy-going demeanour that focuses on pleasant, juicy and savoury aromas of sweet plums, spiced mocha and fig on the nose and delivers a food-friendly blend of blue fruits, toasted oak and savoury spices on the medium-bodied palate. Wild berry acidity and lingering licorice notes keep the finish refreshing and engaging.
Sourced from high altitude, LETIS certified organic vineyards, this Malbec is an excellent dinner companion for grilled meats and savoury stews or enjoy it on its own as a no-nonsense, easy-drinking "glass of red". Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Famille Perrin 2011 "Pierre Blanche" (Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne AOC) Rhone Valley - France
Availability: Private wine stores like Everything Wine in BC
Cost: $24 (BC)
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: January 10th, 2015
Tasting Notes: This is an excellent Côtes du Rhône Villages blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah from the town of Cairanne that favours the fruit-forward loving palate of North American consumers. Has all the complexity and savoury character one expects and loves from a top-notch CDRV but with the ripe, black currant and cherry flavours leading the way, especially mid palate where a touch of sweetness lingers before abdicating to the mouth-watering, terroir-driven finish of garrigues, anise spice and minerals. Should benefit from a further 1-3 years of ageing. Drink 2016-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Bartier Bros. 2013 Semillon (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 12.9%
Production: 640 cases
Date Tasted: January 5th, 2015
Tasting Notes: A vibrant and exciting Semillon sourced from the Cerqueira Vineyard along the Black Sage Bench, fermented using only wild yeast in concrete and stainless steel tanks which produced an honest, pure tasting wine with both warm, lees and cool, stonefruit aromas on the nose and a mouth-watering blend of citrus peel, minerals and melon fruit on the palate. The finish is long, despite the crispness, with lingering herb and river rock notes. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Bartier Bros. 2013 Gewurztraminer (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $18.90
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 211 cases
Date Tasted: January 4th, 2015
Tasting Notes: A light golden-hued Gewurztraminer that could be the tartest in the valley with subtle tropical and orchard fruit aromas that foreshadow the palate's profile where ample citrus and pineapple acidity balancing the herb-tinged finish dry. Drink now-2014.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Bodegas Luis Segundo Correas 2010 Valle Las Acequias Malbec (Mendoza) Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores and Everything Wine
Cost: $22.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: January 9th, 2015
Tasting Notes: The nose offers sweet blackberry and blueberry aromas with licorice, spice and oak notes adding depth. The palate is bright and a tad jarring with some residual sugar adding body and richness to offset the mouth-watering (domineering?) acidity. Flavours of dark fruit and smokey oak lead the way. Not overly complex but, impressively intense. Pair with BBQued, fatty cuts of beef. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Trivento 2012 Golden Reserve Malbec (Luján de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $22.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: January 7th, 2015
Tasting Notes: A robust, masculine Malbec from the Luján de Cuyo region of Mendoza that exudes confidence and restraint through aromas of blackberry, spicy plum, menthol and sweet vanilla on the concentrated nose and via oak-kissed, mixed-berry fruit and black plum flavours on the well-structured, lip-smacking palate. Smooth tannins, impressive balance and length make this wine seem like a bargain at its under $25 price-point. Pair it with a rack of lamb with mint sauce.
Ready to be enjoyed now, though, will hold for another 3-4 years comfortably. Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Chateau Des Charmes 2013 St. David's Bench Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $14.95
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 2105 cases
Date Tasted: January 3rd, 2015
Tasting Notes: A mild mannered nose of golden delicious apple, citrus fruit, Asian pear, fresh herbs and rose aromas offer a gentle, floral entry to this single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from the St. David's Bench district of the Niagara Peninsula. The palate is a pleasing combination of rounded citrus and orchard fruit with cool mineral and mouth-watering acidity. The finish lingers with herbs and citrus peel flavours. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
