Upper Bench Estate Winery 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $38
Alcohol: 14.6%
Production: 108 cases
Date Tasted: March 27th, 2017
Tasting Notes: A similarly spicy flavour profile to the 2012 edition drives the new vintage of Upper Bench's estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon. Classic, black fruit aromas are complimented by notes of toasted oak and leather and a strong current of sweet spices weaves through the developing bouquet.
The dry, full-ish palate continues the black fruit, oak and spice medley with the addition of dried herbs and sour-cherry flavours. Mid-palate the cocoa-textured tannins take over and push the dark fruit notes aside, leaving spice and charred oak notes to linger in a savoury, mouth-watering finish.
Could use another 6 months in the bottle prior to opening. Drink late-2017-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Upper Bench Estate Winery 2016 Riesling (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $23
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 672 cases
Date Tasted: March 25th, 2017
Tasting Notes: Though off-dry, with 8.9g/l of residual sugar, this lovely Riesling presents (nearly) completely dry thanks to well-proportioned green apple acidity keeping the long finish balanced and very refreshing. Look for exotic fruits and creamy citrus aromas on the nose and vibrant apple, melon, lemon/lime and stonefruit flavours on the palate. Ready to go now. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Viñedos Emiliana 2013 Coyam (Colchagua Valley) Chile
Availability: BC Liquor Stores
Cost: $27.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 20,000 cases
Date Tasted: March 25th, 2017
Tasting Notes: Emiliana's Coyam, a Mapuchen word meaning forest of oak, is a complex and earthy blend of 48% Syrah, 24% Carmenere, 11% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Mourvedre, 3% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot sourced from an organically farmed, single-vineyard in the Colchagua Valley of Central Chile. Red fruits, both sweet and tangy, and spicy-licorice characters dominate the expansive nose and the intense, oak-kissed palate. Smooth tannins and clean acidity precede a long, slightly "hot" finish. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Masi Tupungato 2014 Passo Doble (Valle De Uco) Mendoza - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $11.49-14.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 23rd, 2017
Tasting Notes: If you ever randomly daydreamed what a fruity, Argentinian Malbec crossed with a nutty, Venetian Corvina would taste like, Masi's Passo Doble would be the physical embodiment of your imagination.
A blend of Malbec and semi-dried Corvina Verenese grapes, the wine is generous and inviting on the nose with aromas of dark fruit, spices and almond skins. Juicy on the entry with black plum and huckleberry fruit flavours, finishing dry, teetering towards astringent, with lingering spice and prickly tannins. Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Michel Torino 2016 Cuma Organic Torrontés (Cafayate Valley) Salta - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: March 21st, 2017
Tasting Notes: A delightful Torrontés with a clean, aromatic nose and a crisp, dry palate. This organic wine offers fantastic value with decent complexity and good balance throughout. Pair the medley of lemon, apple and tropical fruit flavours with spicy Thai or vibrant, seafood dishes. Ready to go now. Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Michel Torino 2016 Cuma Organic Malbec (Cafayate Valley) Salta - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $11.49-12.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: March 22nd, 2017
Tasting Notes: Ripe and fruity on the nose, to be sure, but the blueberry and POM juice aromas also tend to veer towards Overdone Street during the initial quaff. The dry palate finishes watery after the plum and cherry-cola flavours fades mid-palate, though, a nice touch of spice and light, dusty tannins linger. Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Trinchero Family Estates 2012 Shatter Grenache (Vin De Pays Des Cotes Catalanes) Languedoc-Roussillon - France
Availability: Available at private wine shops
Cost: $17-25 usd
Alcohol: 15.6%
Date Tasted: March 15th, 2017
Tasting Notes: A powerhouse Grenache; full-bodied and concentrated with intense, smoky, black and red fruit and layers of savoury goodness: cocoa nibs, kirsch liqueur, garrique, toasted vanilla and charred oak. At 5 years of age, this beauty is ready to go now. Drink 2017-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Erath Winery 2013 Pinot Gris (Dundee) Oregon - USAAvailability: Available at private wine shopsCost: $12-20Alcohol: 13.5%Date Tasted: March 15th, 2017Tasting Notes: Erath's entry level Pinot Gris is blended from grapes sourced from multiple vineyard sites and produces a paired down, "raw" example of the Alsatian variety with a subtle nose of apples, honeydew and unpasteurised honey followed by punchy, orchard fruit on the mouth-watering palate. Sealed with a Stelvin cap enclosure to preserve the freshness. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Bethel Heights Vineyard 2014 Estate Pinot Noir (Eola-Amity Hills) Willamette Valley - Oregon
Availability: Limited, Costco USA
Cost: $32 usd
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 2000 cases
Date Tasted: March 14th, 2017
Tasting Notes: Often, the small lot or single block labels are the priciest and most sought-after releases from Pinot/Chardonnay houses as they are seen as the best at transmitting the unique characters of the terroir in question into the glass. However, the "estate" blends are often the most drinkable and approachable wines in the portfolio and can cost less than half the price. The Bethel Heights Estate Pinot Noir fits the bill.
A blend of the winery's different Pinot blocks from their 100 acres vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of Willamette Valley. Quite robust, for a Pinot, with a classic, earthy/red-fruit base, dialled up to "11", and a medley of surprisingly compatible sweet and austere notes. Sure to please Pinotphiles both traditional and adventurous. Ready to go now. Drink 2017-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Taken Wine Co. 2014 Complicated Chardonnay (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Costco USA
Cost: $12 usd
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: March 14th, 2017
Tasting Notes: A well-structured and balanced Chardonnay with a lifted nose of fresh, orchard fruit and Spring blossoms with light mineral and oak notes adding depth. Full-ish palate is clean and crisp with mouth-watering acidity and plenty of citrus and peach flavours. Just a kiss of oak contact lingers on the moderate finish. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Robert Hall Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) California - USA
Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $14-18 usd
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 14th, 2017
Tasting Notes: An intense, fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles with body to spare thanks to the concentrated, black fruit characters, oak maturation and (near) off-dry level of residual sugar. Thankfully, the wine finishes dry with lingering, fine tannins and spices. Ready to go now. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2015 Chardonnay (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and Private Wine Stores
Cost: $20.90
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: March 11th, 2017
Tasting Notes: Another attractive and refreshing Chardonnay from Okanagan Falls' Blue Mountain. Well balanced with both cooling and warming characters on the aromatic nose and the textured palate; minerals, citrus fruit, lees, nectarine, Spring blossoms and subtle oak.
Sourced from the winery's home vineyard and a blend of 5 Burgundian clones, this cool-climate Chardonnay receives a 50-50 split between French oak barrels and stainless-steel tanks during fermentation and élevage. Lots of lees contact along the way contributing to the effortless, full-ish mouthfeel the wine offers. Finish is moderately long and dry with a touch of lingering spice and lemon/lime. Enjoy now and over the next 3-4 years. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Upper Bench Estate Winery 2015 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26
Alcohol: 13.7%
Production: 400 cases
Date Tasted: March 10th, 2017
Tasting Notes: 50% of this Chardonnay is barrel fermented and aged in new French oak with the remainder of the fruit seeing stainless steel exclusively. The result is a full-bodied wine evenly combining characteristics of both methods, never feeling heavy or overdone. The natural, crisp acidity of the Burgundian grape is allowed to shine and is complemented by ripe orchard and melon fruit, tangy citrus, macadamia nut and mineral flavours. A touch of spice and brioche linger on the moderate, well-balanced finish.
Enjoy now or over the next 2-3 years and pair it with a wedge of lightly-smoked Gouda. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $28
Alcohol: 13.6%
Production: 305 cases
Date Tasted: March 8th, 2017
Tasting Notes: Opens with a generous, fruit-driven nose with prominent, ripe, black cherry aromas leading the way and oak, spice and vanilla notes adding depth. A dry, full-ish palate follows with decent complexity, mouth-watering berry acidity, light tannins and a medley of red fruit, herbs and toasted oak flavours. Fruit fades quickly on the finish with only rustic, astringent characters lingering. Drink 2017-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Upper Bench Estate Winery 2013 Estate Merlot (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $38
Alcohol: 14.9%
Production: 116 cases
Date Tasted: March 5th, 2017
Tasting Notes: A sensual, black fruit and vanilla-infused Merlot with a potent backbone of sweet tar, spice and toasted oak. Finishes long and cool with lingering blackberry puree and dusty, fine tannins. Sourced from Upper Bench's home vineyard along the Naramata Bench, this Merlot spends 20 months in 30% new French oak barrels prior to bottling. At nearly 4 years of age its maturing beautifully with more development to come. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Chateau Des Charmes N/V Brut Sparkling Wine (Niagara-on-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $23.95
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: March 5th, 2017
Tasting Notes: New label, same consistent execution. A traditional method Brut with fine, persistent beads, produced from Chardonnay and Pinto Noir grapes sourced from vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula by Chateau Des Charmes. Offers a nice balance between its tangy citrus and ripe fruit characters on the peaches'n'cream nose and the yeasty, brioche-infused, off-dry palate. Finish is lively and refreshing with lingering minerality and citrus rind notes.
Lacks the depth and refinement of the more revered sparkling wines of the Peninsula, yet, at $24, you won't find better value in the market. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
