Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2012 Athene (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $38 (taxes included)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: May 31st, 2015
@BurrowingOwlBC
Tasting Notes: The "Athene" is Burrowing Owl's vivacious Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon blend (53%-47% respectively) that takes full advantage of the warm 2012 vintage, delivering ripe, dark fruit and intense, savoury herb characters on the charming nose and the complex, well-structured, mouth-watering palate.
BC's answer to the fabulous Syrah-Cab blends of South Australia with broody, licorice, cassis, blackberry, cocoa nibs, cherry-cola, menthol, pepper, violets and cranberry dust flavours and aromas. Lots to work with food-pairing wise, but a classic, grilled red meat dish may be your best bet. Drink 2015-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2012 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Sold out at the winery. Private wine shops
Cost: $30 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: May 30th, 2015
@BurrowingOwlBC
Tasting Notes: Opens with a brooding nose of licorice, cherry-cola, vanilla, peppercorn, spicy plum cake and toasty oak aromas. The dry, full-bodied palate is equally gnarly and intense with similar flavours supported by black pepper and menthol notes, fine tannins and wild berry acidity. The best Burrowing Owl Syrah in several vintages. Drink 2015-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
SpierHead Winery 2014 Pinot Noir Rosé (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $18 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.9%
Production: 700 cases
Date Tasted: May 30th, 2015
Tasting Notes: A cherry Kool-Aide hued rosé with strawberry, cherry skin, mandarin orange and raw honey aromas. Produced as a dry alternative to the many off-dry blush wines on the market in BC and one to pair with spicy, Spanish tapas which will highlight the cooling effect of the crisp, citrus acidity and the bright, red fruit and mineral flavours on offer. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Le Vieux Pin 2013 "Cuvée Violette" Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26 ($29.90 including taxes)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Production: 891 cases
Date Tasted: May 28th, 2015
Tasting Notes: Sticking to its mandate, delivering a Syrah focused on the aromatic and feminine qualities of the grape, the 2013 vintage of Le Vieux Pin's Cuvée Violette delights with warm, soothing and complex aromas of raspberry, violets, vanilla, white chocolate, white pepper and tapenade. The medium-bodied palate offers a nice balance of elegant tannins, a spicy mouth-feel, bright dark cherry and creamy oak flavours. Ready to be enjoyed now but should hold over the next 2-4 years. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Le Vieux Pin 2014 Vaila (Okanagan Valley) BC
Availability: VQA stores and direct from the winery here
Cost: $21.90 ($24.90 including taxes)
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 768 cases
Date Tasted: May 27th, 2015
Tasting Notes: A lovely, aromatic and zesty rosé produced from a blend of 100% Pinot Noir grapes sourced from Okangan Falls and Westbank vineyards that were purpose-grown for this label (not created as a by-product of "bleeding" pressed grapes destined for a red wine to increase that wine's concentration.)
The Vaila opens with an exotic mix of kiwi, rhubarb, cranberry, raspberry seed and alpine strawberry aromas followed by a vibrant, mouth watering palate with similar flavours, added citrus and mineral notes and a touch of body that lasts through the long finish. Drink now (it's a rosé).
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
LaStella 2014 LaStellina Rosato (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: VQA stores and direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.91 ($22.90 including taxes)
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 421 cases
Date Tasted: May 27th, 2014
@LaStellaWinery
Tasting Notes: An off-dry, fruity and cheerful rosé made from a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Sangiovese grapes focusing on a discourse between juicy, red fruit and crisp tropical fruit characters (the juicy fruit wins the debate). The length is long with elements of sweet and tart fruit notes and lingering spice. Pair this blush with something full-bodied and salty like a plate of charcuterie. Drink now.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Maison Joseph Drouhin 2012 LaForêt Pinot Noir (Burgundy) France
Availability: Private wine shopsCost: $25Alcohol: 12.5%Date Tasted: May 17th, 2015Tasting Notes: You're intrigued by the reputation of Burgundy Pinot Noir but the price tag of Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines scares you off. Your best bet is to look to cheaper, blended Pinots (wines made from grapes sourced from multiple, non-classified vineyards) from well-established houses like this one from Joseph Drouhin or Louis Latour. The LaForêt offers good typicity for the grape and region with an easy to swallow, under $30 price tag.
The nose is pure Burgundy with an emphasis on the non-fruit, terroir-driven, earthy/forest floor notes that the region is known for. The palate is uber-dry, yet, offers some welcomed red fruit and oak spice. The finish is a bit short for the pedigree with a watery texture lingering amongst light spices and residual tannis. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2013 Pinot Noir (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and Private Wine Stores
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 17th, 2015
Tasting Notes: Just what you want from a BC Pinot Noir; sweet, red fruit highlights and earthy, terroir-driven undertones. Black cherry, forest floor, brambly berries and mineral aromas give way to a combination of bright red fruit, spicy plums and weighty oak and earth flavours. The finish is long with lingering bite from tannins and spices. Excellent. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2012 Knotty Vines Zinfandel (Sonoma County) California - USA
Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $20.89 + tax
Alcohol: 15%
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2015
Tasting Notes: Hits you in the face, as many Zins do, with a powerful nose of puréed dark berry fruits, sweet peppercorn, vanilla-mocha and spicy oak aromas. Sourced from multiple Northern Sonoma vineyards, this Zin is full bodied from 15% alcohol and a touch of residual sugar, matching the intensity of the berry fruit flavours on offer. Wild berry acidity keeps the finish from feeling fat and layers of charred oak, vanilla, cranberry and pecan pie notes add depth and complexity.
Build on the charred oak flavours and pair with blackened, sweet'n'spicy BBQ meats. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
TIME Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Select VQA and BCLDB stores
Cost: $27.99
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: May 15st, 2015
@TimeWinery
Tasting Notes: A deep golden hue, this Black Sage Bench Chardonnay is not for the faint of heart. It's a powerful, French-oaked, butter-bomb explosion of ripe, orchard and melon fruit on the intense nose and the lush, unctuous palate where tropical fruit acidity tries to reign in the plumpness, and nearly does. Unfortunately, the palate fails to fully integrate the alcohol and we're left with lingering, 'hot' notes on the shortened finish. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here. Select private wine shops
Cost: $25 (including tax)
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2015
Tasting Notes: This tasty Chardonnay from the Southern Okanagan opens with fresh popcorn, sweet melon, stonefruit, mango skins and light herbs aromas on the quaffable nose. The palate is refreshing with a nice balance of sweet orchard fruit flavours, citrus and pineapple acidity, stone-y mineral and mouth-tingling spicy notes. Alcohol is mostly masked by the body and the tang, but not entirely. Pair with a creamy pasta or seafood dish. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County) California - USA
Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $21.79
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 6th, 2015
Tasting Notes: Rich, deep aromas of dark fruit, licorice, eucalyptus and mocha greet you on the nose of this Sonoma County blended Cabernet Sauvignon from the family owned, Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards. Aged in French and American barrels, this Cabernet has pleasant spice and vanilla undertones and fine, smoky tannins that help to structure the nicely balanced, juicy and acidic dark berry flavours. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
TIME Estate Winery 2013 Sundial White (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Select VQA and BCLDB stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 13.1%
Production: 790 cases
Date Tasted: May 5th, 2015
@TimeWinery
Tasting Notes: This pale gold-hued blend of Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc (percentages not supplied) may first come across as a bit sharp through to the finish until your palate gets appropriately calibrated to pick-up the playful juxtaposition of the plump, ripe orchard'n'melon fruit flavours with the raw, citrus peel acidity and stonefruit notes. A wine that screams "Pair me with pork chops and apple sauce!" Do indeed. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
TIME Estate Winery 2012 Meritage Red (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Select VQA and BCLDB stores
Cost: $29.99
Alcohol: 13.7%
Production: 400 cases
Date Tasted: May 4th, 2015
@TimeWinery
Tasting Notes: Has a little more bite than its vineyard and vintage cousin, the Cabernet Sauvignon-driven McWatters Collection Meritage, with more tannins and acidity creating an engaging mouth feel to ground the juicy, berry-infused palate. The Time Estate version is a Right Bank inspired blend of 60% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc with intense, blue-fruit purée aromas supported by dry herbs, mocha and warm oak notes. Still an early-to-mid-range drinker to enjoy while your other blends incubate. Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
McWatters Collection 2012 Meritage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Select VQA and BCLDB stores
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 2nd, 2015
@McWattersWine
Tasting Notes: A drink-now, fruity, New World Meritage which emphasizes its sweet smelling and palate pleasing blue and red fruit aromas and flavours and offers unmistakable Black Sage Bench terroir notes; dry herbs and fresh sage.
French oak notes and soft tannins structure the easy-going, juicy palate and make this blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc a Meritage to enjoy while you wait for your meatier, age-worth wines to develop in your cellar. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
