Henkell and Co N/V Rosé - 85pts

Henkell and Co N/V Rosé (Wiesbaden) Germany

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $15.99
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: March 25th, 2015


Tasting Notes: Completing our trilogy of Henkell bubbles (see Trocken and the Dry Riesling), this rosé is an easy-going, mousse-y, sparkling wine with a lively mix of peach skin and strawberry aromas and flavours. A versatile wine that successfully brightens the room and won't put a dent in the pocket book. Finish is short, but pair it with spicy appetizers or tapas and you won't even notice. Drink now.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Henkell and Co N/V Riesling Dry Sekt - 86pts

Henkell and Co N/V Riesling Dry Sekt (Wiesbaden) Germany

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $16.99
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: March 16th, 2015


Tasting Notes: Differentiates itself from the company's flagship sparkler by being made from 100% Riesling grapes instead of the unnamed, "white blend" that forms the basis of the more popular Trocken label. The result is a slightly more focused off-dry wine with recognizable aged Riesling characters; honeyed apricots, flint and lemon/lime. Finish is a bit short, but, this sparkler goes down easy. Drink now.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Henkell and Co N/V Trocken - 85pts

Henkell and Co N/V Trocken (Wiesbaden) Germany


Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $15.99 ($8.49 375ml)
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: March 15th, 2015


Tasting Notes: Produced in the less-expensive Méthode Charmat or "tank method" where the secondary (bubble producing) fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks instead of directly in the bottle à la Champagne, and using a variety of unnamed, white Germanic varietals, the flagship Henkell Trocken is a balance of its residual sugar, smooth acidity and light, fuzzy bubbles that form the basis of the texture on the palate. Light orchard fruit and lees notes are present and help add depth, though, the palate finishes a bit abruptly. An easy-going, easy-to-drink sparkling wine to be sure.
Drink now.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Douglas Green Wines 2012 The Beach House Red - 85pts

Douglas Green Wines 2012 The Beach House Red (Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: March 7th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A perfectly serviceable blend of (roughly) 75% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre and 5% Viognier from the Western Cape region of South Africa that offers intense, bright aromas of red fruit and spicy-cola on the rustic nose. Balance sways a tad sweet and sharp on the red fruit-infused palate with the sweetness and residual acidity tipping the scale and overshadowing the vanilla, spice and tannin layers. Drink 2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay - 88pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 13.7%
Production: 396 cases
Date Tasted: February 28th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A full-bodied, orchard fruit driven Chardonnay that sits in your mouth with tangy citrus acidity and nice mineral-nut notes that begs, no, requires to be paired with smoky Gouda cheese. Finish is long with a some lingering spice. Enjoy now or over the next 2 years (and don't forget the cheese). Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca