SpierHead Winery 2015 Pinot Noir - 89pts

SpierHead Winery 2015 Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 13.3%
Date Tasted: January 31st, 2017

Tasting Notes: A generous Pinot Noir, on the fruity and fresh nose and the medium-bodied, ripe'n'bright, berry-infused palate. Very consistent, year-to-year, with notes of raspberries, cherry nibs, vanilla-spice, light oak and a hint of earthy stoneware. The moderately intense finish begins with rounded, chocolate-covered cherries characters, resolving into raspberry seed and cola bean flavours and a touch of lingering spice. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2014 Gamay Noir 'Droit' - 88pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2014 Gamay Noir 'Droit' (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Select LCBO stores. 2015 vintage now available direct from the winery here
Cost: $17.95 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 790 cases
Date Tasted: January 31st, 2017

Tasting Notes: An aromatic Gamay Noir with a charming combination of fruity, floral and spicy aromas followed by a well-balanced, easy-going palate with soft tannins, red fruit and spicy-savoury flavours and a touch of citrus acidity. Enjoy this Gamay in its youth. Drink now-2018.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Dolcetto - 88pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $21.99
Alcohol: 14.1%
Date Tasted: January 28th, 2017

Tasting Notes: The 2015 edition of Stag's Hollow's Dolcetto is bright and lively with both ripe and sour cherry characters, fresh citrus aromas and a backbone of rustic, savoury notes and a touch of sweetness from brambly berries on the palate. Finishes fresh with plenty of mouth watering, tomato acidity and allspice flavours. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Bordertown Vineyards and Estate Winery 2014 Cabernet Franc - 85pts

Bordertown Vineyards and Estate Winery 2014 Cabernet Franc (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: January 26th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Dives into the deep end of the smoky-spicy pool with reckless abandon taking only the faintest aromas and flavours of dark fruit, mint and herbs with it as an insufficient life preserver, drowning in layers of wet tobacco, essence of pine cone, aimless spice, coffee grinds and charred oak. Finishes long and uber-spicy with impressive concentration but little in the way of balance. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Byron and Harold 2013 “Rose and Thorns” Shiraz - 92pts

Byron and Harold 2013 “Rose and Thorns” Shiraz (Great Southern) Western Australia - Australia

Availability: Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $37-43
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: January 26th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Western Australia's "Great Southern" wine region is the state's coolest thanks to the Maritime influence of the Indian Ocean, resulting in a longer ripening period and less 'jammy-ness' in its Shiraz wines when compared to Australia's warmer regions. The "Rose and Thorns" Shiraz is an excellent expression of the region and reminiscent of the cool-climate Syrah of British Columbia.

The profile of wild berries, crushed violet, tar, licorice, charred cedar and both sweet spices and peppercorn grace the refined nose and the masculine palate. The moderate finish is well-balanced with plenty of peppery notes and a touch of citrus tang. Ready to go now. Drink 2017-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Bench 1775 Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot - 89pts

Bench 1775 Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29.90 including taxes
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 740 cases
Date Tasted: January 24th, 2017
@Bench1775

Tasting Notes: A fruit-forward, flavourful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a splash of Syrah (percentages not published) with a smoky, black fruit nose highlighted by bright, cherry-cola notes. The palate offers smooth, light tannins, mouth-watering, berry acidity and a nice blend of dark berry and lightly-spiced, savoury flavours. Ready to go now. Drink 2017-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2013 Cabernet Franc - 93pts

Cassini Cellars 2013 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34
Alcohol: 15%
Production: 295 cases
Date Tasted: January 20th, 2017

Tasting Notes: The nose of this Cabernet Franc is stunningly beautiful and not like anything I've encountered in BC previously. Tasted blind, I'm confident visions of a Eucalyptus-lined vineyard from California's Central Coast or Australia's Limestone Coast would be evoked. Yet, this is BC fruit from a single vineyard in the Southern Okanagan. Fantastic.

Notes from previous vintages have mentioned subtle spearmint notes, but for the 2013 release the mint is in full bloom and mixed with pine, honey, perfume and intense blackberry extract aromas. The full-bodied, expressive palate follows with excellent continuity - it tastes just as it smells with an elegant texture thanks to silky-smooth tannins and acidity. Finishes long with lingering spice and blackberry purée notes. Ready to go now and will hold for many years. Drink now-2021+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Bench 1775 Winery 2014 Groove - 87pts

Bench 1775 Winery 2014 Groove (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.90 including taxes
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 550 cases
Date Tasted: January 19th, 2017
@Bench1775

Tasting Notes: A well-priced, entry-level blend of 87% Merlot, 11.5% Malbec and a splash of Cabernet Franc (1.5%) which produced a vibrant red wine with fresh, dark fruit and soft, dry herbs on the lightly perfumed nose and on the mouth-watering, dry palate. A pleasant wave of spice follows the meaty, grape-seedy tannins on the moderate finish. A BBQ/peppercorn steak wine to be enjoyed in its youth. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Monte Creek Ranch 2014 Hands Up Red - 86pts

Monte Creek Ranch 2014 Hands Up Red (Kamloops) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $16.49 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: January 17th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Opens with a fresh nose of dark fruits and brambly berries with briny undertones and a touch of oak. The palate is bright, even slightly sharp, with tangy, wild berry flavours and acidity and a savoury-rustic layer of earthy spices and oak. As recommended by the winery, the natural pairing for this wine is blackened, BBQ Salmon. Drink 2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Cupcake Vineyards 2014 Chardonnay - 84pts

Cupcake Vineyards 2014 Chardonnay (Monterey County) California - USA

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $15-16
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: January 15th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A super-chewy, oaked and MLF'd Chardonnay from Cupcake Vineyards, aptly named for its infusion of baked-goods-essence into their wines. This Chardonnay is rich, fruity and slightly sharp, in tone, with some residual sugar adding body and crisp citrus notes keeping the finish (mostly) dry and refreshing. Fruit and savoury flavours fade fairly quickly with only raw lemon peel and a hint of spice lingering on the finish. Lacks a distinguishing character. Drink this Chardonnay in its youth, it will not improve with age. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Sileni Estates 2016 Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc - 88pts

Sileni Estates 2016 Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) New Zealand

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $18.49
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: January 15th, 2017

Tasting Notes: The 2016 Sileni Sauvignon Blanc offers greater balance than recent vintages thanks to a more perceptible layer of lees and baked orchard fruit notes beneath the prominent citrus and mineral characters on the stonefruit-infused nose and textured palate. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Sileni Estates Winery 2015 Cellar Selection Pinot Noir - 87pts

Sileni Estates Winery 2015 Cellar Selection Pinot Noir (Hawke's Bay) New Zealand

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: January 11th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A vibrant, refreshing Pinot Noir with hints of savoury-earthy notes beneath the bright, brambly red fruit aromas and flavours which adorn the expressive nose and the mouth-watering palate. Medium everything, making for a well-balanced, food-friendly Pinot that will pair perfectly with lamb, turkey or beef stews. 
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2014 Pinot Noir - 88pts

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2014 Pinot Noir (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 674 cases
Date Tasted: January 9th, 2017

Tasting Notes: This super-drinkable, single-vineyard Pinot Noir which manages to keep with the established house style of tangy red fruit and spicy-cola characters on the vibrant nose and textured palate. Sweet aromas and flavours of cherry, plum and raspberry fruit pair beautifully with savoury and earthy notes and the hint of Apple Jack cereal. A touch of residual sugar on the palate makes for an affable entry, though, a wave of wild berry acidity helps the wine finish dry. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2014 Cabernet Franc - 92pts

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2014 Cabernet Franc (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $44.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.3%
Production: 1153 cases
Date Tasted: January 5th, 2017

@PaintedRockWine

Tasting Notes: A longtime, prominent component of the winery's flagship Bordeaux blend, the Red Icon, the estate grown Cabernet Franc is showcased here, for the first time, as a single-varietal release and delivers a stand-out performance. 

Rich and complex with sweet, aromatic aromas and ripe, brambly berry notes on the vanilla and menthol-infused nose, this Franc offers a well-structured palate with dry, grippy tannins, smooth acidity and a medley of dark fruit and savoury flavours: coffee beans, cooking spices, cigar paper, plums, cherry-cola and charred oak. Finishes long with lingering spice and oak notes. 

Drink now or hold for the potential of further development. Drink 2017-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Bench 1775 Winery 2014 Pinot Noir - 89pts

Bench 1775 Winery 2014 Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25.90 including taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: January 4th, 2017
@Bench1775

Tasting Notes: An earthy-floral Pinot Noir with red fruit notes playing a supporting role on the subtle, feminine nose and the well-balanced, smooth'n'savoury palate. Boasts enough complexity to shine on its own or pair with beefy stews. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Oyster Bay Wines 2015 Pinot Noir - 87pts

Oyster Bay Wines 2015 Pinot Noir (Marlborough) New Zealand

Availability: Widely available in BC
Cost: $17-20
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: January 3rd, 2017

Tasting Notes: A middle-of-the-road, even-keel, Marlborough Pinot Noir with mannered acidity and tannins and a nice balance between savoury and fruit characters on its mineral-cherry scented nose and its smoky-raspberry seed and vanilla-cherry flavoured palate. Enjoy this Pinot in its youth. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca