Bench 1775 Winery 2014 Malbec (Okanagan Valley) BC
Availability: Wine club only. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25.90 including taxes
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: February 24th, 2017
@Bench1775
Tasting Notes: This Okanagan Valley-sourced wine is one of the winery's two regional Malbecs it produced for the 2014 vintage. The variety and vintage are the only characteristics the two wines share, with the Similkameen edition showcasing a robust, full-bodied profile and the Okanagan Malbec presenting a lean, masculine version of the French grape with blue fruits, smoky tannins and meaty tones. A solid pairing for rare to medium-rare steaks. Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Chateau Des Charmes 2014 St. David's Bench Vineyard Chardonnay (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.95
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 495 cases
Date Tasted: February 20th, 2017
Tasting Notes: A good vintage for the SDB Chardonnay with present, but not overwhelming, characters from malolactic fermentation and oak contact. Melons, nuts and citrus fruit dominate the flavour and aroma profile on the generous, chewy palate and the cool, more masculine nose, respectively.
Already three years old and presenting maturing characteristics. Ready to be enjoyed with seafood adorned, white sauce pasta. Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Bench 1775 Winery 2014 Malbec (Similkameen Valley) BC
Availability: Wine club only. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25.90 including taxes
Alcohol: 14.7%
Date Tasted: February 13th, 2017
@Bench1775
Tasting Notes: Bench 1775 produces two Malbecs, one sourced from the Okanagan Valley and this one, sourced from the Similkameen which offers a rich and succulent expression of the French variety. Robust, ripe dark berry fruit and supportive savoury-spicy notes grace the engaging nose while similar flavours and a kick of brambly berry acidity grace the full-bodied, silky palate. Finish has length and good balance with a touch of residual alcohol beneath the lingering spice. Ready to go now. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
SpierHead Winery 2015 Pinot Noir Cuvée (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $38
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 327 cases
Date Tasted: February 8th, 2017
Tasting Notes: A delightful Pinot Noir, one of the Province's best, produced from the select few barrels SpierHead's winemaking team deem 'the best' each vintage. Rich and engaging on the vanilla-kissed, cherry-raspberry-earth scented nose and on the similarly flavoured, medium-plus bodied palate. Well-structured with smooth, slightly-earthy tannins and fine, berry acidity and finishes long with a touch of spice and lingering Black Forest cake notes, a signature of the label. Ready to go now, though, will hold for several years. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
SpierHead Winery 2015 GFV Saddle Block Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.4%
Date Tasted: February 6th, 2017
Tasting Notes: A lovely, feminine Pinot with good length and texture. Expressive, on the memorable nose, with classic, red fruit and cedar aromas accompanied by a hint of vanilla-cola and a blanket of soft spice notes. The dry, medium-bodied palate offers a nice balance of red fruit and savoury flavours that mingle effortlessly through to the long, spice-enhanced finish. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2015 Gamay Noir (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $22.90
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 3rd, 2017
Tasting Notes: A layered Gamay with good intensity on the brambly-berry and cinnamon-spice scented nose and on the mouth-watering and fleshy-textured, dark-fruit infused palate. Very subtle oak influence is enjoyed throughout, supporting the fruit and spice characters. Tannins are light and rounded. Finish is moderate-plus, with a touch of spice and earthy notes lingering. Drink 2017-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
