Bench 1775 Winery 2015 Chill - 88pts

Bench 1775 Winery 2015 Chill (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $18
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 1640 cases
Date Tasted: August 25th, 2016
@Bench1775

Tasting Notes: Percentages of the components were left off this year's specs sheet, but Bench 1775's Chill is a pretty consistent tasting, pleasant, aromatic, off-dry blend of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Viognier, Semillon, Guwurztraminer and Riesling. Both plump and mouth-watering textures at play on the Tropical fruit flavoured palate with ample citrus and pineapple acidity and a touch of minerality to balance the residual sugar. 

A crowd pleasing white blend for all occasions. Try it with Gruyere or Dubliner cheese and enjoy it in its youth. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2015 Chenin Blanc - 89pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 4690 cases
Date Tasted: August 24th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A blend of 90% Chenin Blanc and 10% Sauvignon Blanc sourced from West Kelowna and Osoyoos vineyards, the 2015 edition of this popular, mouth-watering and pungent wine opens with a vibrant and bold nose of citrus, tropical and stone fruit aromas followed by lemon zest infused palate with alternating layers of smooth lees, citrus acidity, canned peaches and cool, river stone minerality. The finish is long with a touch of lingering spice. Ready to go now. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2015 Riesling - 90pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores

Cost: $20 (including taxes)

Alcohol: 12.4%

Production: 228 cases

Date Tasted: August 18th, 2016

Tasting Notes: East Kelowna's SpierHead Winery produces a trio of Pinot Noir wines yearly and clearly sees the Burgundian grape as its flagship product, however, their unheralded, Riesling is consistently excellent and worthy of greater attention. Crisp, mineral-y and refined with a vibrant, steely nose of stony-apples, pear skins, key lime, light, unpasteurised honey and apricots. Followed by a mouth-watering palate of melon, mineral and citrus flavours with a touch of spice lingering on the long finish.

A serious, reflective Riesling to be enjoyed with hard cheeses whilst contemplating the difference between fate and self-fulfilling prophecy, because....

"Everything happens for a Riesling"

                                                     - Facebook Meme

Drink now-2019+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2015 Riesling - 89pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here,  VQA stores and BCLDB stores
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 1184 cases
Date Tasted: August 9th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A distinct, terroir-driven, off-dry Riesling with a lovely combination of Mott's fruit cup and stonefruit aromas and flavours and a signature, effervescent green apple and citrus acidity that livens the mouth feel and lingers on the otherwise, lightly-spiced finish. Oh so consistent. Enjoy now or over the next 4-5 years. Drink now-2021. 
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2013 Tempranillo - 90pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2013 Tempranillo (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.6%
Date Tasted: August 9th, 2016
@stagshollow

Tasting Notes: A rare variety for the Okanagan Valley with only a handful of vineyards planted to Tempranillo. The Stag's Hollow version of the Spanish vine is sourced from multiple sites in Naramata, Osoyoos and Okanagan Falls all with different soil types and aspects. Yet, blended (with 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Syrah and 2% Petit Verdot) the separate lots, together, form an expressive wine bursting with warmth and depth, first on the nose where a fragrant mixture of sweet potpourri and fresh flower aromas are joined by a prominent layer of sun-ripened blackberry and spice plum fruit and notes of pipe smoke. Then followed by a dark berry fruit-infused palate with a nice balance of sweet and savoury flavours, smooth tannins and mellow, wild berry acidity. The moderate finish is full of spice and light tobacco notes. Delicious. 

No need to cellar this one away, enjoy it in its youth. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Liquidity Wines 2015 Viognier - 91pts

Liquidity Wines 2015 Viognier (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Wine club only. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.2%
Production: 592 cases
Date Tasted: July 7th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A full-bodied Viognier sourced from Okanagan Falls and Similkameen Valley vineyards and fermented in small stainless steel vats with some textured extracted from extended contact with the skins. Rich on the nose and palate with aromas of melons, tropical fruit and unpasteurised honey and flavours of papaya, peaches, apricots and grapefruit. Though juicy and plump in the mouth, the finish is clean and refreshing with ample acidity and a touch of lingering spice on the long finish. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Bench 1775 Winery 2015 Viognier - 90pts

Bench 1775 Winery 2015 Viognier (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Wine club only. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.9%
Production: 180 cases
Date Tasted: July 6th, 2016
@Bench1775

Tasting Notes: A lovely blend of 85% Viognier, 10% Gewurztraminer and 5% Pinot Gris sourced from Osoyoos and Naramata Bench vineyards with generous orchard and tropical fruit aromas and flavours supported by wisp of mineral notes on the aromatic nose and a mouth-watering, citrus fruit backbone keeping the lush palate in balance. Off-dry and nearly full bodied, though, clean and crisp with a touch of spice and grapefruit on the moderate finish. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2015 Sauvignon Blanc - 89pts

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine shops
Cost: $18.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: August 3rd, 2016

Tasting Notes: A supremely refreshing, low-alcohol Sauvignon Blanc produced from 8-10 year old vines using a wild yeast ferment and minimal oak contact: a clean, pure expression of the French variety. Opens with a with a mellow nose of citrus fruit and Jazz apple aromas and the faint smell of oak and briny seashells. An intense, citrus and mineral-infused palate follows sporting a fairly full mouth-feel with hints of herbs and lemon peel through to the long finish. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2013 Stones Throw - 88pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2013 Stones Throw (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14.1%
Date Tasted: August 1st, 2016

Tasting Notes: One of the more food-friendly, California-style, ripe reds produced in the Okanagan Valley today. A blend of 78% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec with its residual sugar well-balanced by smooth, medium-intense tannins and a warm blanket of Summer berry acidity. Ripe blackberry, cherry-cola, spicy-oak and vanilla bean dominate the concentrated, yet, soothing nose and the mouth-watering palate. Very flexible, food pairing-wise, but grilled meats like sweet and tangy, Korean BBQ dishes would be ideal. Drink 2016-2019. 
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2015 Sauvignon Blanc - 88pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.3%
Date Tasted: July 31st, 2016
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: River Stone has a great handle on this variety, allowing Sauvignon Blanc's natural pungency to flourish on the otherwise, floral and melon driven nose and on the refreshing, citrus and tropical fruit flavoured palate, Finish is a bit watery, but overall, excellent value on offer with good intensity and typicity. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink 2016-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca