JoieFarm 2015 "En Famille" Reserve Pinot Noir - 90pts

JoieFarm 2015 "En Famille" Reserve Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $39.90
Alcohol: 13.2%
Production: 437 cases
Date Tasted: October 30th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Opens with a generous nose of raspberry, potpourri and sweet spices followed by a bright, dry palate of raspberry flesh and seed flavours with savoury tidbits of smoky pepper and cocoa notes adding depth. Fine, light tannins and mouth-watering acidity make this Pinot a friend to beef stews and game dishes. Enjoy today or over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2017-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Liber Farm and Winery 2016 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon - 89pts

Liber Farm and Winery 2016 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Sold out. Details here
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 120 cases
Date Tasted: October 30th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Familial white Bordeaux varietals, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, sourced from the Okanagan Valley, are blended to produce a well-balanced, vivacious wine with both crisp and rounded characters on the melon, raw honey and seashell infused nose and the slightly off-dry, fleshy-pear and vibrant-citrus dominant palate. Quite delightful and very refreshing. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Lunessence Winery and Vineyard 2015 Crescendo - 90-91pts

Lunessence Winery and Vineyard 2015 Crescendo (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $28
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 550 cases
Date Tasted: October 29th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A well-balanced, New World Meritage-styled wine combining Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec (percentages withheld) sourced from the Southern Okanagan. Opens with refined blue fruit, vanilla and light coffee grind aromas on the nose followed by similar flavours on the smooth, fine tannin palate with an added kick of boysenberry acidity and peppery spice that leads to a long finish. Drink now or hold for some further development over the next 3-4 years. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Liber Farm and Winery 2016 Rosé - 88pts

Liber Farm and Winery 2016 Rosé (Similkameen Valley) BC

Availability: Sold out. Details here
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: October 27th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A salmon orange-hued, Provence-styled rosé produced from 100% Similkameen Merlot grapes, offering a pleasant, floral-scented nose with fresh cranberry, melon and strawberry aromas. Palate is crisp with a touch of initial, berry sweetness which is quickly flooded with citrus rind and rhubarb acidity, light herb notes and strawberry-citrus flavours. A food-friendly rosé with a dry finish. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Syrah - 87pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Syrah (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here  and VQA stores
Cost: $25.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: October 27th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Both aromatic and dark, fruity and smoky, smooth and rustic. Goddess Dichotomy! I have found thy drink! 

These contrasting, juxtaposed, sometimes competing characters won't work for everyone (personally, I'm on the fence). Those that like a challenge will take pleasure in deconstructing the floral/cassis/toasted pepper nose and the plumy/minty/Middle Eastern Bazaar palate. While others will simply marvel, as I do, that so many aromas and flavours can be crammed into one wine. This may be the most memorable wine you taste all year. But will you enjoy it? Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2015 "En Famille" Reserve Chardonnay - 90+pts

JoieFarm 2015 "En Famille" Reserve Chardonnay (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Sold out at the winery. Private wines shops. Details here
Cost: $29.90
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 229 cases
Date Tasted: October 27th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A hedonistic, barrel fermented Chardonnay sourced from Skaha Bluff and Naramata Bench vineyards with layers of melon, orchard and citrus fruit mixed with  savoury characters of nuts, vanilla bean and oak on the buttery nose and briny palate. The long finish starts plump then resolves to its lip-smacking conclusion with lingering lemon rind and spice notes. Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Pinot Noir - 87-88pts

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $23-30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 436 cases
Date Tasted: October 21st 2017

Tasting Notes: An organic,  savoury and toasty warm Pinot Noir with cedar, chickpea, prune, plum, raspberry, light spice and earth tones on the nose and palate where spicy tannins and wild berry acidity add rustic appeal. A good Pinot for game or turkey feasts. Ready to go now and should hold for another 2-3 years with some further development. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Aligoté -86pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Aligoté (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $15.95
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 1949 cases
Date Tasted: October 20th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A well-priced, citrus-scented Aligoté (Burgundy's other white grape) with food-friendly acidity and dryness. Look for pear, lemon drop, grapefruit, ginger and melon aromas and flavours. Pair with hard cheeses. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2014 The Creek - 90-91pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2014 The Creek (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $55 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 1474 cases
Date Tasted: October 20th, 2017
@TinhornCreek

Tasting Notes: Tinhorn's new, self-coined "flagship" wine, The Creek, is a well-balanced blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 9% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot offering pleasant, ripe aromas and flavours of dark and blue fruits with a warming wave of herbs and sweet spices on the nose and fine, mannered tannins and smooth, berry acidity on the rounded, refined palate. Toasted oak, light spice and black cherry notes linger on the finish through to the next sip.

When I think of Tinhorn Creek's true flagship wine, I think of the winery's pungent, character-to-spare Cabernet Franc. Perhaps this tasty, refined wine can change that Funky Franc association over time, though, since the fruit for the blend is sourced, predominantly, from the winery's Black Sage Bench vineyard, maybe The Bench would have been a better name;). Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2015 "En Famille" Reserve Riesling - 91pts

JoieFarm 2015 "En Famille" Reserve Riesling (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $27.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 430 cases
Date Tasted: October 17th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A single vineyard, single block Riesling sourced from St. Hubertus in West Kelowna, with excellent focus and balance; plenty of acidity as counter weight to the off-dry residual sugar. Look for apricots, nectarine, white peach, citrus, mineral and fresh ginger on the subtle nose and the mouth-watering palate. Finish is long with lingering citrus peel and nectarine notes. Should hold for several years comfortably. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2015 Pinot Noir - 89pts

JoieFarm 2015 Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $25.90
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 914 cases
Date Tasted: October 17th, 2017@JoieFarm

Tasting Notes: Offers a harmonious balance between its fruit and savoury characters with cherry-cola and sweet herbs'n'spice playing off one another beautifully. Rich and pleasant on the nose followed by a medium-bodied palate with medium intense, dusty tannins and fresh pomegranate acidity. Enjoy this Pinot today and anytime over the next 3 years. Drink 2016-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2014 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling - 90pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2014 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $18.95
Alcohol: 12.4%
Production: 1591 cases
Date Tasted: October 16th, 2017

Tasting Notes: The 2014 edition of the Old Vines Riesling is decidedly sweeter than previous vintages, clocking in at 10.4g/l of residual sugar, making a welcomed and beautifully balanced counter to the lime and mineral backbone always present in this wine. 

Honeycomb and honeydew aromas and flavours mingle with pear and apple notes with melon and citrus acidity keeping the finish fresh and light where a touch of lime rind lingers. Delightful and very well priced. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2014 Pinot Noir - 89pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2014 Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $21.49 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 2056 cases
Date Tasted: October 14th, 2017
@TinhornCreek

Tasting Notes: The 2014 edition of the "regular" Tinhorn Pinot Noir offers more fruit upfront than recent vintages of this, otherwise, herb'n'earthy treat. Red currant, raspberry, cola, bay leaf, forest, cedar and clove aromas grace the pleasant nose while similar flavours, gritty tannins and tomato acidity follow on the textured palate. The finish is moderate and palate lifting with lingering spice and acidity. Enjoy with red-sauce, spaghetti dishes. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2013 Corner Stone - 90pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2013 Corner Stone (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $28.50

Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: October 14th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A Merlot based, single-vineyard blend from Oliver's family-run River Stone Winery, already beautifully aged 4 years at the writing of this review. Showing shines of maturity with hints of pencil shavings and mint notes peaking through the dark berry and herby-oak aromas, this blend of 47% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot is uber food-friendly with lively berry acidity, light, dusty tannins and lingering spice on the long finish. Drink now-2020.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2015 Gamay - 88pts

JoieFarm 2015 Gamay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $25.90
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 324 cases
Date Tasted: October 13th, 2017

Tasting Notes: This is classic, full-flavoured BC Gamay (otherwise described as a pungent, spicy Pinot Noir) with plenty of sweet floral, herb and cherry aromas and a tart, robust palate of pomegranate, cherry nibs, raspberry seeds, all-spice and light oak flavours. 

Light tannins and lively acidity make this a great companion to leaner meats like Christmas turkey and pork tenderloin. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Fairview Cellars 2016 Sauvignon Blanc - 89pts

Fairview Cellars 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $20 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.6%
Date Tasted: October 9th, 2017
@FairviewCellars

Tasting Notes: The pungent nose spills out of the glass and immediately triggers memories of the Ocean and seafood with its initial wave of citrus and brine aromas and with added notes of apples, shells and stone fruit. Palate is crisp and clean with mouth-watering acidity, a plethora of citrus fruit and plenty of yeast and mineral notes. Drink now-2016. 
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Artisan Wine Co. N/V Wine O'Clock Sauvignon Blanc - 82pts

Artisan Wine Co. N/V Wine O'Clock Sauvignon Blanc (Cellared-In-Canada) 

Availability: Private wine shops
Cost: $9.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: October 9th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A multi-country, multi-vintage Sauvignon Blanc compiled and finished in BC (hence the "Cellared-In-Canada" moniker) offering a low-cost and fairly bland example of the French variety. Sadly, at "Wine O'Clock" there's no time for the grape's natural pungency or tension. What there is in abundance is flabby, green apple and melon fruit aromas and flavours with hints of citrus peel on the short finish.

Would make a good companion to a white sangria recipe. Drink now.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Calliope Wines 2016 Riesling - 85pts

Calliope Wines 2016 Riesling (Similkameen Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $14-17
Alcohol: 12.9%
Date Tasted: October 9th, 2017

Tasting Notes: This pale gold Riesling is sourced from Keremeos vineyards and delivers a pleasant mix of baked orchard fruit and zesty citrus fruit aromas on the nose with a watery, yet, acidic palate to follow with hints of stone fruit, lime margarita and spice on the dry finish. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery 2014 Reserve Pinot Noir - 88pts

Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery 2014 Reserve Pinot Noir (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $29.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14.3%
Date Tasted: October 5th, 2017

Tasting Notes: In the flavour spectrum of Pinot Noir, this reserve label from Okanagan Falls' Noble Ridge registers as more earthy than fruity, though, a nice baseline of dark cherry and plum permeates through the spicy-tobacco nose and the oaky-cocoa powder palate where food-friendly acidity and dusty tannins frame the flavours nicely. Ready to go now. Drink 2017-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2016 Pinot Noir Rosé - 87pts

Sperling Vineyards 2016 Pinot Noir Rosé (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: October 4th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A tart, hard cheese-friendly rosé made from estate-grown Pinot Noir grapes, delivering classic, BC blush characters of cranberry, strawberry and citrus fruit with herb, spice and stonefruit notes loitering in the background. Crisp acidity keeps the finish mouth watering and refreshing. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2015 PTG - 90pts

JoieFarm 2015 PTG (Naramata Bench) Okanagan - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $25.90
Alcohol: 13.7%
Production: 752 cases
Date Tasted: October 2nd, 2017

Tasting Notes: The make-up of the "PTG" changes for 2015 with the blend consisting of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Gamay Noir sourced from Naramata and Summerland vineyards. Despite the vintage-to-vintage variation, the end-result is surprisingly consistent with its feminine nose of cola and Christmas cake spice and candied fruit aromas and its vibrant palate with spiced-plum, stony earth, vanilla bean and wild berry flavours.

Pair this memorable, well-balanced, food-friendly wine with rich and spicy, Holiday fowl dishes. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca