Bench 1775 Winery 2015 Sauvignon Blanc - 88pts

Bench 1775 Winery 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Wine club only. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 12.7%
Date Tasted: July 28th, 2016
@Bench1775

Tasting Notes: Though a familiar blend of New Zealand and Loire Valley styles, the 2015 edition of the Bench 1775 Sauvignon Blanc displays a little less cohesion between the Down Under funk and the steely-French elements than in recent vintages. The nose is lifted and appealing with citrus, straw, green apple and melon aromas followed by a crisp, tangy palate combining citrus, stone and tropical fruit flavours and textures together with light herb and spice notes. To be enjoyed on its own or as a confident companion to seafood dishes. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Tragically Vidal - 89pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Tragically Vidal (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 26th, 2016
@Stagshollow

Tasting Notes: An intense, beautifully-textured, off-dry blend of 89.5% Vidal and 10.5% Orange Muscat that tastes and smells of fresh-off-the-tree peaches and ultra-ripe tropical fruit. Residual sugar is nicely balanced by a wave of citrus acidity and touch of cool mineral and light, dry herb notes. A truly delightful wine with a pure expression of joy that should be shared with friends and family in its youth. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2015 Alibi - 89pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2015 Alibi (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA and private wine stores
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: July 23rd, 2016

Tasting Notes: The Black Hills' Alibi never disappoints. This blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillon is remarkably consistent, year-to-year, with the aromas and flavours of a medley of fleshy, ripe, stone fruit: white peach, nectarine and apricot. Add-in mineral and fresh herb notes and a texture that combines oily and tangy-citrus facets and you're in for an intriguing and tasty glass of wine. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Lunessence Winery and Vineyard 2014 Merlot - 90pts

Lunessence Winery and Vineyard 2014 Merlot (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $28
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: July 21st, 2016

Tasting Notes: Super concentrated blackberry puree opens the brooding nose of the Lunessence Merlot with layers of spice, mint, vanilla and pencil shavings following close behind. The palate has a pleasing combination of intense, juicy dark fruit and enterprising, fine tannins which seem to effortlessly meld with the residual sweetness and nicely frame the spice and savoury notes through to the moderate-plus finish. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2015 Pinot Gris - 88pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2015 Pinot Gris (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.4%
Date Tasted: July 22nd, 2016
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: Consistently, a vibrant and punchy Pinot Gris sourced from the winery's home vineyard just outside Oliver, though, for 2015, the profile showcases a little more residual sugar and lushness. Tangy, cheerful and oh-so refreshing, expect citrus characters and bright, mineral-y orchard fruit supported by herbal and lees-y notes and a touch of tropical fruit in the background and on the lemon-tinged finish. Enjoy on its own or with hard cheeses like Gruyère. Drink 2016-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2015 Pinot Gris - 89pts

SpierHead Winery 2015 Pinot Gris (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $19
Alcohol: 13.7%
Production: 1110 cases
Date Tasted: July 20th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Whenever you take all oak contact (fermentation or élevage) out of the equation, as SpierHead has chosen to do with this excellent Pinot Gris, the winemaker must look for other ways to replace the lost benefits of oak ageing: texture and complimentary flavours. Sourced from the Golden Retreat Vineyard in Summerland, this Pinot Gris shows the affect of extended lees contact contributing brioche notes to the apple, citrus and mineral aromas on the nose and roundness to the otherwise, tart and crisp, apple'n'spice infused palate. To be enjoyed in its youth. Drink now-2016.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2015 Pinot Gris - 89pts

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2015 Pinot Gris (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 641 cases
Date Tasted: July 19th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Produced from a co-ferment of fruit sourced from the winery's home vineyard in Lillouet (78%) and from the Blind Creek Vineyard in the Similkameen Valley (22%). A small portion of the juice was exposed to neutral oak and a secondary, malolactic fermentation while the rest saw only stainless steel with no "MLF" contact, creating a lovely, gentle texture on the glycerol-heavy palate and complimenting the peach/apricot, papaya and citrus medley of flavours. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Bodegas Catena 2014 Alamos Chardonna - 86pts

Bodegas Catena 2014 Alamos Chardonnay (Mendoza) Argentina

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $13.29 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 18th, 2016

Tasting Notes: This high-value Chardonnay is sourced from high altitude vineyards in Mendoza and offers a pleasant, uncomplicated combination of melon and orchard fruit with light mineral and oak influence notes on the understated nose and the citrus'n'oak-infused, watery palate. Finish is moderate with a touch of spice. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2013 Merlot - 90+pts

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2013 Merlot (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $34.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.8%
Date Tasted: July 16th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Complex and feminine with sweet berry, licorice, oak and menthol aromas on the nose followed by a dry palate brimming with flavours of blackberry puree, vanilla, spice, cocoa powder, toasted oak and livened by bright, red currant acidity and nicely framed by fine tannins. Enjoy now with a lengthy decant or file away in your cellar for further development. Drink 2017-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2015 Pinot Gris - 89pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2015 Pinot Gris (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $17.49
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 7535 cases
Date Tasted: July 16th, 2016
@TinhornCreek

Tasting Notes: A classic BC Pinot Gris that offers a nice balance of cool, mineral elements with lush, orchard fruit aromas and flavours. A tangy vein of citrus fruit travels through the floral-scented nose, the medium-plus bodied palate through to the long finish where a touch spice and lemon rind notes linger. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Bench 1775 Winery 2013 Cabernet Franc cl 214 - 91pts

Bench 1775 Winery 2013 Cabernet Franc cl 214 (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Wine club only. Contact winery here
Cost: $??
Alcohol: 12.2%
Date Tasted: July 14th, 2016
@Bench1775

Tasting Notes: An elegant, sweetly perfumed Cabernet Franc produced from a single clone of the French variety and sourced from the winery's Osoyoos vineyards. Both rich and lively on the palate with refined tannins, concentrated berry fruit, rounded texture, smooth spices, surefooted oak, fresh berry acidity and good length. Drinking beautifully now. Drink 2016-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2014 Cabernet Franc - 89-91pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2014 Cabernet Franc (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $27.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Production: 150 cases
Date Tasted: July 10th, 2016
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: Drinking a little tight at the moment, needing a further 2 years in the cellar to fully integrate, or, if you can't wait that long, employ a very long decant to open up the wine and reveal its layers of blackberry, menthol, wild herbs, spicy plum, sweet oak, vanilla and wild berry aromas. A dry, flavourful palate follows with fine, dusty tannins, smooth, berry acidity and a similar profile offering good consistency from the nose. Drink 2018-2022. 
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Catena Zapata 2014 Malbec - 89+pts

Catena Zapata 2014 Malbec (Mendoza) Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $21-23 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 9th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A fresh and lifted Malbec produced by the Catena Zapata family from their many high elevation vineyards in Mendoza. Floral and fruity with violet and black currant aromas above underlying notes of light spice, sweet earth and pencil shavings. Palate has a hint of residual sugar with prominent, wild blackberry flavour and acidity followed by savoury notes of oak, spice, minerals and light licorice. Nothing out of place. Ready to go in its youth. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Michael David Winery 2012 Earthquake Zinfandel - 92pts

Michael David Winery 2012 Earthquake Zinfandel (Lodi AVA) California - USA

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $41.99 + tax
Alcohol: 15.5%
Date Tasted: July 8th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Wow. An Earthquake indeed. Your senses will be shaking after this one. Nose and palate are super intense with deep, dark fruit and menthol notes with added layers of liquorice allsorts candy, charred oak, flat spice, tobacco and plum sauce.

Amazingly, the 15.5% alcohol is effortlessly integrated, avoiding any obvious 'hotness' on the palate. Already aged beautifully at 4 years of age, with many years of life yet should you want to wait and tempt further development. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2013 Cabernet Franc - 90pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2013 Cabernet Franc (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.1%
Date Tasted: July 7th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A lovely, complex, feminine nose of sweet floral, spicy perfume, light cola, fresh mint, vanilla-oak, and ripe berry fruit aromas. Divine. Palate is equally feminine with a silky-smooth mouth-feel brightened by a touch of brambly acidity and anchored by intense flavours that match the profile of the nose providing excellent continuity.

Cabernet France has long been one of Stag's Hollow's most consistent wines, vintage to vintage and the well-balanced, approachable 2013 is no different. Enjoy this beauty and its under $30 price tag over the next 4-5 years. Drink 2017-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Bodegas Finca Las Moras 2014 Reserva Tannat - 86pts

Bodegas Finca Las Moras 2014 Reserva Tannat (San Juan) Argentina 

Availability: BCLDB stores

Cost: $12.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: July 4th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Makes a nice, dry alternative to similarly priced Argentinian Malbecs which more often than not, have too much residual sugar. Tannat is spicy and exotic, but still possesses an approachable layer of dark fruit on the smoky-olive and blueberry-infused nose and the full bodied, black plum and toasted oak palate with rustic acidity and charcoal tannins. A little rough around the edges, yet, utterly intriguing at its Under $15 price-point. Drink 2016-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright IconWines.ca 2016

Graffigna 2015 Centenario Reserve Pinot Grigio - 84pts

Graffigna 2015 Centenario Reserve Pinot Grigio (San Juan) Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores

Cost: $12.59 + taxes

Alcohol: 13.5%

Date Tasted: July 4th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A little 'bigger' in the mouth for 2015, mostly due to the increased residual alcohol creating added weight and a touch of 'heat'. Otherwise, a consistent, fruity profile of pear, apple and apricot with light mineral notes on the muted nose and the crisp, pineapple acidity-infused palate. Drink now-2017.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Bodegas Escorihuela 2014 '1884' Malbec - 88pts

Bodegas Escorihuela 2014 '1884' Reserva Malbec (Mendoza) Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: July 2nd, 2016

Tasting Notes: Darker and more "serious" than recent vintages with blackberry and black and red currant fruit aromas supported by smoky-oak, fresh herbs and zesty-spice notes on the nose. Though the palate has a touch of residual sugar, the overall profile is quite savoury with smooth, smoky tannins, wild berry acidity and a combination of dark fruit and spicy-oak flavours. Finish is moderate-plus and well-balanced with spice and mocha notes lingering. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca