Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2015 Rosé - 88pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2015 Rosé (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $18.14
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 8200 cases
Date Tasted: May 28th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A consistent blend, from the 2014 vintage, of 80% Gamy Noir, 10% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Gris offering a pleasant, delicate, nose of Spring flowers, strawberry, watermelon, citrus peel and white pepper. Followed by a fruity, slightly off-dry and slightly boozy, effervescent palate of ripe citrus, strawberry, cranberry, minerals, wild herbs and watermelon rind flavours. A delicious taste of Spring. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

The Grape Grinder 2013 Pinotage - 85pts

The Grape Grinder 2013 Pinotage (W.O Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $13.49 +taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 27th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A sweet'n'savoury, full-bodied Pinotage from the Western Cape with both coffee-themed branding and flavour profile on its mocha-berry-spice nose and the off-dry, dark chocolate-coffee grind-wild berry palate. Overall balance is a bit sharp, though, nice spice notes linger on the finish. A decent BBQ wine for the price. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2009 Red Icon - 93pts

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2009 Red Icon (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $55
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: October 20th, 2011
Re-Tasted: May 27th, 2016

Tasting Notes: I love this wine for its uniqueness in the world of cookie-cutter big reds. The first vintage (2007) had Petit Verdot as the leading grape in the blend... yeah, Petit Verdot! None of the corporate wineries would ever try that. (And to be fair, I doubt proprietor John Skinner would ever again either... the bane of originality.) These bold risks have mostly all paid off delivering a unique blend from a picture perfect vineyard offering honest vintage variation.

The 2009 is a harmonious blend of 30% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot and 1% Syrah delivering massive complexity and concentration that never overloads the dry palate rather evolves slowly in the glass to reveal layers of the flavour profile. The wine is impressively approachable now but I still recommend a further 6 months or longer of cellaring prior to opening. Drink mid-2012-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Re-Tasting Notes: At seven years of age, the 2009 Red Icon is tasting beautifully and appears to be still a couple of years away from peaking, challenging my original drinking window. Tannins have mellowed, turning ultra creamy and the nose is now a fully integrated bouquet - feminine, sensual and mysterious. Finish is long and supple. Drink now-2020
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Stellenzicht Wines 2013 Red ESCape - 87pts

Stellenzicht Wines 2013 Red ESCape (W.O Stellenbosch) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $12.99 +taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 26th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Composed of Syrah and Pinotage fruit sourced from the Stellenbosch region of South Africa, the playful Red ESCape opens with a surprising, yet effective blend of smoky-earthy-meaty notes and sweet, candied red fruit aromas on the intriguing nose. The off-dry palate follows with a similar contrast of juxtaposed characters with smoky, dusty tannins enveloping sweetened, dark cherry and spicy, blueberry fruit flavours. The finish is short, but thankfully, crisp, thanks to plenty of wild berry acidity balancing the residual sugar. 

Pair with sweet'n'spicy BBQ ribs or other spiced, grilling meats. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Monte Creek Ranch 2015 Rosé - 85pts

Monte Creek Ranch 2015 Rosé (Kamloops) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $15.99 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 26th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A brilliant, dark pink, fully off-dry rosé from 100% Marquette grapes (a hybrid cross developed at the University of Minnesota) with an in-your-face style, bursting with spicy, strawberry-rhubarb crisp aromas and flavours and finishing with mouth-watering, cran-apple acidity and lingering alcohol notes. Drink 2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2015 Oldfield Series Rosé - 90pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2015 Oldfield Series Rosé (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $19.99 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 810 cases
Date Tasted: May 21st, 2016

Tasting Notes: 2015 was another stellar vintage for this Provence styled, salmon-pink rosé made from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes sourced from the winery's Diamondback Vineyard along the Black Sage Bench in the Southern Okanagan Valley. Its balance of sweet and savoury characters on the joyful nose and on the off-dry, mouth-watering palate is spot on. Look for berry and melon fruit, sweet floral, cool mineral, juicy citrus, tangy rhubarb and dried herbs aromas and flavours to pair with just about anything you can throw at it. Truly excellent complexity for a blush. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

LaStella 2013 La Sophia - 93pts

LaStella 2013 La Sophia (Osoyoos Lake Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not yet released. Contact winery here
Cost: $TBA
Alcohol: 15.1%
Production: 125 cases
Date Tasted: May 21st, 2016
@lastellawinery

Tasting Notes: Beyond its tell-tale, Southern Okanagan watermark of dried herbs,  LaStella's "La Sophia" is a doppelgänger for the top-end Cabernet Sauvignon that come out of Washington State's Walla Walla Valley. Both complex and ultra-refined with layers of dark fruit, vanilla extract, licorice, sweet coffee grinds, mint and a hint of graphite already developing. Gentle, persistent herbs'n'spice permeates the elegant nose and well balanced, feminine palate with fine tannins and berry acidity contributing structure and length. This dark purple-hued beauty will evolve over a decade-plus. Drink 2017-2023+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Domaine Saint-Damien 2010 La Louisiane - 92pts

Domaine Saint-Damien 2010 La Louisiane (Gigondas) Rhône Valley - France

Availability: Limited availability. Private wine stores.
Cost: $35-38
Alcohol: 15%
Date Tasted: May 20th, 2016

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. A superb Gigondas sourced from the Domaine's red alluvial soil plots in the appellation nicknamed "La Louisiane". Reliably a blend of 80% Grenache and 15% Mourvedre with the remaining 5% a split of Syrah and Cinsault, offering a robust, developed bouquet of ripe, spicy-blueberry, clove, anise, dried cherry, sweet coffee, cooking spice and stinky cheese aromas. 

The dry palate is formidable with great, flavour intensity and a rich, glycerol-infused body. The finish is long with pepper, herbs, cocoa powder and dried blackberry flavours lingering. 

Just starting to mature. Give it another 2 years in the cellar to begin to peak. Drink 2018-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2014 Cellar Hand Red - 88pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2014 Cellar Hand Red (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores and direct from the winery here
Cost: $21.65 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: May 20th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Black Hills' 2nd label red wine is a fruit forward, crowd-pleasing blend of 48% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Syrah. Deep, dark fruit, oak spice and a hint of eucalyptus grace the generous nose followed by a rounded palate with similar flavours, smooth tannins and  mouth-watering, fresh berry acidity. Finish is moderate with some lingering white pepper notes. A wine to be enjoyed in its youth while you wait for your Nota Bene to mature. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2013 Pinot Noir - 89pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2013 Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $21.49 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 2541 cases
Date Tasted: May 19th, 2016
@TinhornCreek

Tasting Notes: An earthy, rustic Pinot Noir, though, not without a pleasant layer of red fruit and cola aromas mixed-in with the sweet forest, wild herbs and cedar notes. The medium-intense palate follows the same script with engaging texture, gritty tannins and cranberry acidity and spicy-herbs on the finish. Drink 2016-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2014 Pinot Noir - 89pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2014 Pinot Noir (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $28.15
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 6480 cases
Date Tasted: May 18th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Offers good balance between its fresh, vibrant, red fruit and savoury-earthy characters on its expressive nose and medium-plus bodied, dry palate. Finish is long and nicely framed by smoky tannins and crisp, wild berry acidity. Look to Pacific Northwest pairings of BBQ salmon and game birds. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2014 Oldfield Series Chardonnay - 91pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2014 Oldfield Series Chardonnay (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $34.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 339 cases
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2016
@TinhornCreek

Tasting Notes: Sourced from the winery's Golden Mile Bench vineyard from youthful vines, the juice was barrel fermented in French oak then aged for 16 months in a 50/50 split of oak and stainless steel vessels where the wine underwent a softening of the acids via a secondary, malolactice fermentation. 

The result of all this work is a beautifully constructed Chardonnay with ample, peach, caramel-golden delicious apple, lemon rind and sweet nutty-brioche notes on the pleasing nose. The palate's rich fruit and baked-goods flavours, crisp citrus acidity and mineral components are well proportioned creating a balanced and memorable, stand-alone sipper. Drink now- 2018.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2014 Carmenere - 89pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2014 Carmenere (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $49.50 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.8%
Date Tasted: May 15th, 2016

Tasting Notes: This peppercorn-spiced Carmenere is sold exclusively to the winery's share holders and wine club members due to its ultra small-lot production. Just over 4 acres of the Bordeaux varietal are planted between the winery's two Black Sage Bench vineyards. 

This early-to-mid-range drinker opens with a wall of pepper spice on its lustful, perfumed nose with sweet, cured meat, tomato stock and mixed-berry aromas adding depth. Rich, berry-cream and mocha-chocolate characters dominate the entry, followed by some fruity-flabbiness mid-palate, then boysenberry acidity livens-up the peppercorn-infused finish. Drink late-2016-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca 

Le Vieux Pin 2014 "Cuvée Classique" Syrah - 92+pts

Le Vieux Pin 2014 "Cuvée Classique" Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $44.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 327 cases
Date Tasted: May 13th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Like its baby sister, the 2014 "Cuvée Violette", this is feminine Syrah at its flowery, perfumed best. Though, big sister is a complex and often times moody enchantress with a powerful undercurrent of iron and peppercorn beneath layers of inviting, sweetened black cherry, black raspberry, dried flowers, incense, RC Cola, vanilla and dark chocolate aromas.

The palate is dense and solidly structured with levity coming from blood orange acidity. Good continuity from the nose carries through to the flavour profile with more emphasis put on berry fruit on the entry and peppery spice on the long finish. Ready to go now with more development to come over the next 5-6 years. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2015 Muscat - 90pts

JoieFarm 2015 Muscat (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $22.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.1%
Production: 460 cases
Date Tasted: May 12th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Sourced from the winery's home vineyard on the Naramata Bench, this Muscat will brighten the cloudiest of days with its cheerful, feminine profile of peach skin, nectarine, creamy lemon drop, sweetened flowers, grapes and light spice notes on the delicate nose and the slightly off-dry, well-balanced palate. An effortless drink and one ready to be consumed in its youth. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2015 Chardonnay - 89pts

SpierHead Winery 2015 Chardonnay (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $22 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.3%
Production: 278 cases
Date Tasted: May 10th, 2016
@spierheadwinery

Tasting Notes: A partially oaked (20%) Chardonnay with a focus on clean, crisp fruit and cool mineral characters, using grapes sourced from the winery's East Kelowna vineyard. A masculine, yet, generous wine with loads of apricot, nectarine and citrus aromas and flavours all wrapped in the firm, supportive embrace of river stone and steel notes. Spice and lime rind flavours linger on the finish. Drink 2016-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Maverick Estate Winery 2014 Chardonnay - 91pts

Maverick Estate Winery 2014 Chardonnay (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $26.50
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 100 cases
Date Tasted: May 9th, 2016
@MaverickWinery

Tasting Notes: A delicious, single-vineyard Chardonnay with excellent balance on the perfumed, feminine nose and the expressive, orchard'n'citrus infused palate. Sourced from the winery's Golden Mile property, the juice was fermented in French oak and then spent a further 6 months in barrel, on lees, which helped impart some body and texture to the palate and contributed warm, nutty-baked good notes to the nose. The wine saw no malolactic fermentation (a softening of the acids) leaving the finish crisp and refreshing. Nailed it! Drink 2016-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2014 Chardonnay - 89pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2014 Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here, select VQA and private stores.
Cost: $26 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: May 6th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A vivacious, intense Chardonnay that opens with a beautiful blend of orchard fruit, mineral and oak treatment aromas on the nose. White peach, apple, river stone, vanilla, citrus peel and light clove notes are perceptible when the wine has had a chance to warm up in the glass.

The palate is vibrant and alive with Chardonnay's naturally high acidity suggesting the wine saw little-to-no malolactic fermentation. Good consistency carries the aroma profile of the nose through as flavours on the palate, with citrus fruit playing a more prominent role. Intensity of the finish fades quickly, though, a vein of mineral and spice notes linger patiently until the next sip.

Pair with seafood pasta in a citrus-infused white sauce.  Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2013 Reserve Pinot Noir - 92pts

La Frenz Winery 2013 Reserve Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $35 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 5th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Opens with a luxurious nose of big, California-ripe, red fruit aromas which instantly grab your attention, yet, this is BC Pinot Noir, through and through, with layers of both savoury and sensual notes like dried spices, sweet peat, spiced plum, French vanilla cream and dark chocolate. 

The palate offers a similar fruit-to-savoury ratio with prominent, dark cherry and black plum flavours leading the way, medium-plus weight, fine tannins and effortless, wild berry acidity adding viscosity to the finish and leaving your mouth watering and in-anticipation of the next sip. 

Ready to go now, though, holding for a further 2 years may yield additional development. Drink 2016-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2015 Un-Oaked Chardonnay - 88pts

JoieFarm 2015 Un-Oaked Chardonnay (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $22.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 600 cases
Date Tasted: May 4th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Sourced from two vineyards, one situated along the Skaha Bench and Joie's own vineyard on the Naramata Bench, this orchard fruit-infused Chardonnay is richly textured despite its lack of contact with oak during fermentation or élevage. Potent Jazz apple and tropical fruit acidity add a counter-balance to the weighty, glycerol-coated mouth feel, leaving a crisp finish where citrus peel and light spice notes linger. Enjoy this refreshing, well-made Chardonnay in its youth. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Boekenhoutskloof 2014 The Wolftrap - 85pts

Boekenhoutskloof 2014 The Wolftrap (W.O Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $13.49 +taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: May 3rd, 2016

Tasting Notes: A spicy, meaty blend of 82% Syrah, 16% Mourvedre and 2% Viognier with deep, dark fruit, peppercorn, vanilla, forest and cured meat aromas. Palate is sharp and a little off-balance between its acid, fruit and tannin elements, though, a nice blend of spices linger on the finish. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2015 Pinot Blanc - 90pts

JoieFarm 2015 Pinot Blanc (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $22.90
Alcohol: 13.1%
Production: 560 cases
Date Tasted: May 1st, 2016

Tasting Notes: A delicious and aromatic Pinot Blanc sourced from St. Hubertus Winery's vineyard in East Kelowna. Peach and sweet melon aromas grace the layered nose with fresh flowers, apple skin and grape seed notes adding depth. The palate has rounded edges of plump orchard and melon fruit with a tangy core of citrus acidity and steely minerality. Lime zest lingers on the long finish. Drink now-2018.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca