Top Rated Wines of 2015

The following wines received the 20 highest scores on IconScores.ca during the calendar year of 2015. Release date was not considered with some wines sourced from the cellar or tasted at special events. For the list of our Top 20 Wines of 2015, where more than simply the tasting score is considered, please visit the main IconWines.ca site.

#1 - Viña Montes 2011 Montes Folly - 94+pts
Another killer Folly with an enchanting, sweetly scented nose of cherry, plum, blueberry, cola and pepper aromas complimented with elegant, toasted oak and warm earth characters. The palate is equally complex and smooth with solid structure from refined, developed tannins. Silky on the entry, creamy on the mid-palate and long'n'peppery on the finish. Fantastic.
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#2 - Le Vieux Pin 2012 Équinoxe Syrah - 92-94pts
A beast of a Syrah, yet, still feminine and floral in style. A true femme fatale with both mass and levity, opening with a gorgeous blend of black cherry, crushed violets, vanilla-mocha, white pepper, spicy plum sauce and sweet pipe tobacco aromas on the memorable nose. The intense, brooding palate follows with concentrated dark red fruit and smooth pepper flavours, effortless acidity and ripe, fine-grained tannins.
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#T3 - SynchroMesh Wines 2014 Stormhaven Vineyard Riesling - 93+pts
Yes, it's a pricey wine, especially for a variety that one usually pays in the range of $15-25 for, but tasting is believing and the Stormhaven Vineyard Riesling is an exceptional example of just how good the Germanic grape can be when it is treated with the admiration it deserves as it has by the winemaking team at Synchromesh.
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#T3 - LaStella 2012 Maestoso "Solo" Merlot - 93+pts
Look for dark berry, sweet plum, toasted oak, dark chocolate, fresh herbs, mocha, vanilla toffee, menthol and warm spice aromas followed by a medley of similar flavours on the ultra-dry palate with a strong focus on the juxtaposition of the berry and savoury characters. Berry, spice and smoke notes linger and linger and linger on the finish. Sublime.
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#5 - Fairview Cellars 2012 The Bear - 92-93pts

Ripe and refined with gorgeous, dark fruit and sumptuous, black licorice aromas supported by layers of herbs, vanilla-mocha, toasted oak, spices and violets. The palate opens with lush, ripe, blackberry and cassis fruit followed by a wave of savoury characters, similar to the profile on the nose, with additional, lifted flavours of mint and citrus peel. The finish is long with lingering traces of spices, cassis and vanilla.
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#T6 - Painted Rock Estate Winery 2014 Chardonnay - 92+pts
The 2014 edition shows signs of a long life thanks to the harmonious balance of its core elements: fruit, acid and textural characters. There is also an effortless intensity which will not only help the wine hold for many years but actually help the wine improve as the intensity is slowly dialled back to reveal layers of dried and candied fruit aromas and flavours.
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#T6 - Fairview Cellars 2010 Iconoclast - 92+pts
The 'Iconoclast' is a true reserve in the sense that winemaker/proprietor, Bill Eggert, selects his best four barrels of his estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and holds them back for an additional 12 months in barrel prior to bottling. The result is a denser and more complex Cabernet, though one that manages to retain and even elevate its dark fruit characters on the otherwise, brooding nose and the smoky-savoury palate.
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#T6 - Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2012 Meritage - 92+pts
The style of the 2012 edition of Burrowing Owl's flagship wine is a product of the hot growing conditions of the season. It's a warm, inviting, aromatic blend following a Right-Bank recipe of 43% Cabernet Franc, 28% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot. Layered and complex, but innately accessible with ripeness in the red and dark fruit aromas on the sensual nose and in similar flavours on the dry, full-bodied palate.
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#T6 - JoieFarm 2012 "En Famille" Reserve Gewurztraminer - 92+pts
A one-of-a-kind. The only true Reserve Gewurztraminer produced in BC today with unparalleled intensity and unctuousness. Classic lychee, raw honey and floral characters, dialled-up to '11', on the uber crowd-pleasing, tropical fruit-infused nose and on the lip-smacking, off-dry, juicy palate where generous citrus acidity keeps the long, spicy finish clean and balanced.
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#T6 - Black Hills Estate Winery 2013 Nota Bene - 92+pts
For Nota Bene connoisseurs, it's worth noting that the 2013 vintage sees the fabled red blend return to using Cabernet Sauvignon as the leading grape for its assemblage after a one year switch to Merlot in the driver's seat. The final blend is 49% Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc and the finished wine fits comfortably into the Nota Bene lexicon; it's big, it's intense and it's complex.
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#T6 - Cassini Cellars 2012 Cabernet Franc - 92+pts
A truly gorgeous Cabernet Franc with a winning combination of classic-Franc characters with the structure and depth that mimics a fine Cabernet Sauvignon. Sourced from a single vineyard and treated to 24 months in French oak prior to bottling, this is a full-bodied, expressive wine from the warm 2012 Southern Okanagan vintage which produced ripe tannins and intense plum and blackberry fruit aromas and flavours supported by layers of complementary sweet pipe smoke, spicy oak, crushed violet and subtle spearmint notes.
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Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2014 Sauvignon Blanc - 89pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2014 Sauvignon Blanc (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: December 30th, 2015

Tasting Notes: Nearing Fumé Blanc levels of richness on the delicious, blanketed nose of tropical fruit, ripe pear, lemon grass, sweet sage and crisp minerals. The palate is richly textured with sweet layers of orchard fruit flavours and others of lean, minerals and mouth-watering citrus acidity.
 The balance on the long finish sways ever-so-slightly towards sour. A touch of spice lingers through to the next sip. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Calliope Wines 2014 Sauvignon Blanc - 87pts

Calliope Wines 2014 Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: Dec 29th, 2015

Tasting NotesPleasantly pungent, at first sniff, with fresh grass and baked lemon aromas supported by honey-crisp apple flesh and green apple skin notes. The (mostly) dry palate follows with citrus and apple-pear flavours and a fine vein of lime rind acidity and light, steely-mineral notes. Refreshing, crisp and memorable; excellent value. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Pinot Noir - 86pts

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Pinot Noir (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 475 cases
Date Tasted: December 29th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A fruit-forward Pinot Noir with cherry plum and raspberry aromas and flavours supported by light cola and oak notes on the appealing nose and the short-lived, slightly watery palate. Missing some of the intensity and depth of previous vintages of this Lillooet-sourced Pinot Noir.
 Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2012 Gamay Noir 'Droit' - 89pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2012 Gamay Noir 'Droit' (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $16.95
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: December 21st, 2015

Tasting Notes: An excellent Gamay with a rich nose of 
black cherry, cola, mineral and warm, spicy earth aromas. On the palate, despite the 3.5g/l of residual sugar (adding texture and body), a thin vein of citrus acidity runs through to the Christmas Cake and oak-infused finish, contrasting the ripe, spicy raspberry flavours. A fabulous pairing for Christmas turkeyDrink now-2015.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2014 Dolcetto - 89pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2014 Dolcetto (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability
: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $TBA
Alcohol: 13.3%
Date Tasted: December 20th, 2015

Tasting Notes: Another cutting-edge release from Stag's Hollow, p
ossibly only available at the winery and/or to wine club members, this release of Dolcetto is true to its Northern-Italian roots with a flavour profile of licorice, black cherry and light prune. Dry and medium-bodied, Dolcetto's charred tannins contributes some lingering bitter notes on the tomato-stock and spiced-cherry finish. Pair with spicy pasta dishes or a meat-lover's pizza. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Calliope Wines 2014 Figure Eight White - 87pts

Calliope Wines 2014 Figure Eight White (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $15.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: December 19th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A blend of 
35% Pinot Gris, 31% Chardonnay, 18% Gewurztraminer, 13% Viognier and 3% Sauvignon Blanc, the Figure Eight White is a refreshing, crisp, pale-gold wine with good body and off-dry texture, delivering a nice combination of pineapple, melon and kiwi fruit with steely, mineral notes and lemony acidity balancing the fruitDrink now-2016.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Road 13 Vineyards 2013 Syrah Mourvedre - 90pts

Road 13 Vineyards 2013 Syrah Mourvedre (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Sold out. Contact winery here for more information
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 13.7%

Production: 120 cases
Date Tasted: December 17th, 2015

Tasting Notes: Intensely peppery and spicy, though, not void of fruit, happily, with ripe, plum and blueberry notes on the dense nose and the richly textured palate. A blend of 
85.3% Syrah, 12.1% Mourvedre, and 2.6% Grenache for lovers of big, meaty wines with grippy tannins and a dusty, peppery finish. Calls for a peppercorn encrusted steak. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Calliope Wines 2014 Gewurztraminer - 86pts

Calliope Wines 2014 Gewurztraminer (Southern Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $13.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: December 11th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A well-balanced, middle-of-the-road Gewurztraminer that isn't too lean or too 'gooey' on the lightly, off-dry palate. Opens with a ripe, juicy nose of sticky orchard fruit and mild spice aromas with additional citrus peel and mineral notes. Palate follows with some texture and decent intensity of ripe, nectarines and apricots contrasted by steely-lemon/lime flavours. Finish is a bit short, but nothing tastes out-of-place.
 Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2012 Merlot - 90pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2012 Merlot (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: December 9th, 2015

@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: A dense, brooding Merlot with excellent concentration of berry, vanilla and dark chocolate-mint aromas supported by light spice, pine needle and wild sage notes. A juicy, berry-infused palate follows with fine, dusty tannins, smoky, tobacco flavours and 
mouth-watering acidity on the moderate finish. Ready to go today and will hold for several years. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2013 Old Vines Foch Reserve - 90pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2013 Old Vines Foch Reserve (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $50
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 620 cases
Date Tasted: December 7th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A lovely combination of smoke, spice and flowers. Produced from (nearly) 50 year old vines, the Old Vines Foch Reserve is unique and memorable with an aromatic nose and a 
creamy palate offering good continuity between the two. A ripe wave of berry and plum fruit breaks through the smokiness to keep the New World palate satisfied. The long finish is well-balanced with fine tannins and wild berry acidity - spice and smoke linger brilliantly. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2013 Merlot - 88pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 3865 cases
Date Tasted: December 6th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A masculine Merlot, though, one full of generous, ripe, blackberry fruit aromas to supplement cool, menthol and dark chocolate notes. Consistent 
through to the palate where similar flavours are complimented with meaty, firm tannins and wild berry acidity. Herbs'n'spice notes linger on the moderate, mouth-watering finish. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2014 Viognier - 87pts

Cassini Cellars 2014 Viognier (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $20 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.6%
Production: 425 cases
Date Tasted: December 4th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A tropical fruit-infused Viognier with boundless energy on the generous nose and full-bodied, slightly-hot palate. Look for 
papaya, kiwi, pear and peach aromas and flavours with balance coming from a good kick of citrus acidity and mineral notes on the finish. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Calliope Wines 2014 Viognier - 88pts

Calliope Wines 2014 Viognier (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $15.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: December 2nd, 2015

Tasting Notes: The Calliope Viognier offers great balance and texture for a fantastic >$20 price - unmatched value for the varietal in the Okanagan Valley. 
A nice blend of orchard and tropical fruit grace the generous nose and the mouth-watering, full-bodied palate. Look for ripe melons and white peaches with refreshing citrus acidity and mineral notes to compliment the tropical and orchard fruit characters. Light spice lingers on the finish. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Road 13 Vineyards 2011 Fifth Element - 90+pts

Road 13 Vineyards 2011 Fifth Element (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $49
Alcohol: 14.3%

Production: 588 cases
Date Tasted: December 1st, 2015

Tasting Notes: A sensual, robust blend of 6 red varieties with Merlot and Cabernet Franc leading the way and Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon playing a supportive roll (plus splashes of Malbec and Petit Verdot). Exelent ripeness for a cooler vintage, the 2011 offers delightful, sweet berry fruit on the nose with floral and dried herb notes additing depth and femininity. The dry, full-bodied palate follows with dark fruit and meaty, savoury characters that are lifted by mouth-watering, berry acidity. Fine, dusty tannins linger with spices and blueberry puree on the long finish.


Ready to go now, though, has the bones to hold for a few more years with some further development possible. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca