See Ya Later Ranch 2015 Pinot Gris (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Available at BCLDB and VQA stores. Winery site here
Cost: $13-15 +taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: April 27th, 2016
Tasting Notes: Light brass in colour, the See-Ya-Later Ranch Pinot Gris is an exceptionally well-priced wine that often goes on sale for $12.99 at the BCLDB stores (plus taxes) offering a slightly, off-dry and unctuous version of BC's most planted white variety. Orchard and exotic fruit mingle on the medium-intense nose with pleasant notes of honeycomb and minerals in the background. The fruit carries through to the boisterous palate which lacks refinement but packs a punch keeping your senses engaged. Finish is long but a tad sharp. A solid effort nonetheless. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
JoieFarm 2015 A Noble Blend (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB stores and VQA storesCost: $23.90 (including taxes)Alcohol: 13.5%Production: 6000 casesDate Tasted: April 27th, 2016@JoieFarmTasting Notes: Primarily a Gewurztraminer-Riesling blend (47%-32% respectively) with smaller portions of Pinot Auzerrois, Pinot Blanc and a splash of Muscat and Schoenberger; an artful assemblage seeking balance and joy. JoieFarm's flagship wine fulfils its purpose and will put a smile on the face of even the most serious of curmudgeons thanks to its irresistible combination of off-dry Tropical-exotic fruit, tangy citrus acidity, cool mineral and savoury herb notes.
Less unctuous than previous vintages from warmer seasons, the 2014 is all about balance and sits effortlessly, though not anonymously, on the palate. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Le Vieux Pin 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (Multi Regional) - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.4%
Production: 415 cases
Date Tasted: April 25th, 2016
Tasting Notes: The devil is in the details and this excellent Sauvignon Blanc is sinfully good. Each vintage is an exploration of the art of blending with the 2015 being sourced from vineyards in both the Southern Okangan and Similkameen valleys and separate lots using a range of fermentation vessels from stainless steel vats to neutral, oak barrels and even a kiss of new French oak.
The result of this effort is a complex, finely tuned, rich-yet-refreshing Sauvignon Blanc with ample layers of tropical fruit, herbals, minerals and lees on the delicate nose and medium-bodied palate. The finish is long and richly textured with lingering citrus peel and level, spice notes. Drink 2016-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Valley) BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.8%
Date Tasted: April 25th, 2016
Tasting Notes: A partially oaked (20% in 2nd fill French oak barrels), cool fermented Sauvignon Blanc with a lovely, graceful nose of tropical and citrus fruit, peach skins, cranberry scones and light grass aromas.
A dry, vibrant palate follows with a nice combination of mouth-watering, citrus acidity and rich, textured flavours of passion fruit, apples, ripe peaches and lees. Perhaps not a lean and mean Sauvignon Blanc for casual Summer Sipping - this is a wine for all seasons with more depth and one that is very food-friendly. Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Le Vieux Pin 2014 Petit Rouge (Okanagan Valley) BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $21.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Production: 460 cases
Date Tasted: April 24th, 2016
Tasting Notes: Predominantly a Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend with a splash of Syrah, sourced from multiple vineyards in the Southern Okanagan Valley. The Petit Rouge is a social wine. It has the right combination of approachability, by way of ripe, berry and dark fruit and complexity, thanks to underlining savoury-earthy herbs and dusty tannins, making it a perfect match for both a busy dinner party or amongst your close, wine-savvy friends, Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Nederburg Wines 2015 Winemaster's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (W.O Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: Privare stores like Everything Wine
Cost: $12.99 +taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: April 22nd, 2016
Tasting Notes: Pungent and refreshing on the nose with fresh oyster minerality and sodium. Tangy gooseberry, crisp citrus and green apple flavours blend nicely on the sharp, mouth-watering palate. A touch of citrus peel and spice lingers on the moderate finish. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Two Oceans Wines 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $9.79 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: April 18th, 2016
Tasting Notes: All 'props' to Two Oceans to not succumbing to trends and producing a sugary, "approachable" Sauvignon Blanc for the seemingly endless legions of sweet wine drinkers who are, undoubtedly, eagerly anticipating the creation of Apothic Tart. Two Oceans have kept their under-$10 Blanc raw and biting with a refreshing profile of gooseberry, quince, kiwi, lime peel, grass and papaya.
Now, some better concentration and less kerosene notes would go a long way to elevating its lot in life, but for a tenner, you could do much worse. Drink now.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
LaStella 2014 Fortissimo (Osoyoos Lake Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.2%
Production: 1374 cases
Date Tasted: April 20th, 2016
Tasting Notes: The 2014 edition of the Fortissimo sees 57% Merlot, 21% Sangiovese 11% Cabernet Franc and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon blended to create a beautiful wine combining brambly berry fruit flavours and acidity, lush tannins, savoury notes and spicy oak. The finish is oh, so long and well balanced with cherry, dried herbs, vanilla and pipe tobacco lingering.
Ready to go now, but will improve with another 2 years of ageing. Drink 2018-2021 for best results..
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Le Vieux Pin 2014 "Cuvée Violette" Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 850 cases
Date Tasted: April 17th, 2016
Tasting Notes: The antiquated saying "Sugar and spice and everything nice" comes to mind when tasting this uber-feminine Syrah loaded with gentle aromas of ripe black cherry, raspberry-chocolate, crushed flowers, vanilla, white pepper, sweet tea and tapenade. The middleweight palate offers good continuity from the nose with similar flavours, youthful, yet, finely-tuned tannins and a pronounced layer of spice, especially on the mouth-watering finish where wild berry acidity and pepper notes linger. Ready to be enjoyed now but should hold over the next 2-4 years. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
LaStella 2015 LaStellina Rosato (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: VQA stores and direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 715 cases
Date Tasted: April 16th, 2016
@LaStellaWinery
Tasting Notes: Produced in the saignée method which "bleeds" juice from newly crushed red grapes imparting a pale strawberry colour and just a touch of tannin texture, the LaStellina is a blend of 62.6% Cabernet Franc, 29.9% Merlot and 7.6% Sangiovese with a fruity, joyful flavour profile of strawberry, rhubarb, cherry and mouth-watering tropical fruit. The balance between the sweet fruit and the acidic elements leans towards off-dry, but not fully. Drink now.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery 2013 Gravel Bed Red (Sonoma County) California - USA
Availability: Private wine stores like Everything Wine
Cost: $49.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: April 16th, 2016
Tasting Notes: A blend of Bordeaux varieties sourced from multiple Sonoma County vineyards all with one thing in common: rocky, gravely soils. Intense and refined on the nose with rabbit-hole depth; cassis purée, ripe blueberries, vanilla extract, chocolate covered coffee beans and light, rocky mineral aromas.
The palate continues the refined complexity theme with concentrated, sweet blue fruit and moody, dark fruit flavours supported by effortless, fine tannins and mouth-watering, fresh berry acidity. The finish is epic with lingering vanilla, cassis, cooking spice and light minerals. This wine sits beautifully in the mouth and should be appreciated on its own or with an after-dinner plate of fine, dark chocolates. Drink 2017-2023
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Nederburg Wines 2013 Winemaster's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (W.O Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: April 15th, 2016
Tasting Notes: A pleasant nose of cherry-cola, vanilla, spicy-oak, charcoal and blackberry aromas precede a nearly off-dry palate of ripe, red and blue fruits, cherry-cola, charred oak and cranberry acidity. The moderate finish relies on glycerine from the residual sugar for its lingering texture. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Cape Heritage 2013 Inception Red (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.29 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: April 12th, 2016
Tasting Notes: An off-dry blend of Syrah, Petit Verdot and Mourvedre with concentrated, red berry fruit puree, smoky oak and spicy-mocha notes on the intense nose and mouth-watering, acidic palate. Lacks depth and length, though, certainly primed to take your senses for a ride (albeit, a short ride). Drink 2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
JoieFarm 2015 Rosé (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $20.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 3200 cases
Date Tasted: April 12th, 2016
Tasting Notes: A very consistent wine, year-to-year, with a distinct colour and profile offering juicy, red fruit and light, dried herbs on the expressive nose and the slightly, off-dry, textured palate where the residual sugar is balanced beautifully by tart cranberry acidity, light tannins and tangy citrus notes. Your go-to, feel-good rosé. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Chateau Des Charmes 2013 Cabernet Franc (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario
Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $13.95 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 2603 cases
Date Tasted: April 10th, 2016
Tasting Notes: An earthy, briny, Cabernet Franc with both fruity and delicate aromas in the form of mixed berries and dried flowers. The smooth, (mostly) dry palate offers fantastic balance for an >15$ wine with fruit and savoury elements existing harmoniously. Wild berry acidity and lingering spices keep the finish vivacious and memorable. Ready to go now. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Spier 2015 Signature Chenin Blanc (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: April 8th, 2016
Tasting Notes: An extremely well-priced Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape with zesty citrus, macadamia nut, Golden Delicious apple and stone fruit aromas on the nose. The palate offers good continuity with a similar profile of both zesty citrus flavours and richer, creamy tones from baked apple/pear and brioche. Refreshing citrus peel, mineral and spice notes linger briefly on the balanced finish. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Artisan Wine Co. N/V Pendragon Velvet Red Cabernet Sauvignon (Cellared-In-Canada)
Availability: Private wine shops
Cost: $9.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: April 7th, 2016
Tasting Notes: This multi-region, multi-vintage Cabernet Sauvignon will only appeal to those who like their red table wines to be (nearly) as sweet as a dessert wine or for those looking for the red wine base for a Sangria concoction. Prune-y through and through with black cherry liqueur and spice notes. Drink now.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Artisan Wine Co. N/V Pendragon Satin White Pinot Grigio (Cellared-In-Canada)
Availability: Private wine shops
Cost: $9.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: April 6th, 2016
Tasting Notes: Produced from fruit sourced from, well, anywhere and everywhere and then combined with small amounts of BC grapes. Though lacking in any unique regionality or distinct character, this off-dry Pinot Grigio drinks like a well crafted, Tropical fruit-infused cocktail with decent balance between its acidic and sweet elements. Spicy Thai or Sushi take-out should pair well. Drink now.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
KWV Winery 2014 Roodeberg (Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: April 5th, 2016
Tasting Notes: A cool, masculine, menthol-scented blend of Bordeaux and Rhone grapes with added aromas of dark red fruit, spiced plum sauce and sweet, cured meat. The palate is sprightly with dark fruit and rustic components supported by sweet oak, licorice and light spice flavours. Length and balance are good, especially for the under $15 price-point. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Chateau Des Charmes 2013 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario
Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $16.95
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 1087 cases
Date Tasted: April 3rd, 2016
Tasting Notes: A pleasant, laid-back, pear and apple flavoured Riesling with a plump, floral nose and a mannered backbone of lime and minerals. Seek out lovely honeycomb notes on the nose when the wine has had a chance to warm up in your glass. Delightful. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
