Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery 2012 The One - 90pts

Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery 2012 The One (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $47.88
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 234 cases
Date Tasted: December 30th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A traditional method, Champagne-inspired, sparkling wine, roughly an 80/20 split of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and aged sur lees for 41 months. Now 5 years old, this Brut is ageing beautifully with savoury lees and lemon meringue aromas making for a refreshing bouquet. The dry, elegant palate shares these notes with plenty of shellfish-loving mineral and grapefruit flavours leading the way.

Ready to be enjoyed now with your special occasion celebration. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Bench 1775 Winery N/V Brut Rosé - 86pts

Bench 1775 Winery N/V Brut Rosé (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Mixed case purchase only. Direct from the winery here
Cost: TBA
Alcohol: 13.4%
Date Tasted: December 30th, 2017
@Bench1775

Tasting Notes: A 50/50 spit of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with an effervescent, light mouse, this non-vintage sparkling wine derives its brassy-orange colour from some skin contact with the Pinot Noir grapes during crush. A touch of mineral and lemon zest show on the dry finish with a pleasant, straight-forward blend of strawberry, cranberry and kiwi fruit on the nose and palate. Would make for a fine Sunday brunch aperitif. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Estate Merlot - 90-91pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Estate Merlot (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $38
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 141 cases
Date Tasted: December 29th, 2017

Tasting Notes: An excellent, masculine'yet'sensual Merlot, full of youthful exuberance and confidence. Offering, not-yet-fully-integrated layers of vanilla-spiked blueberry and cassis fruit, savoury and sweet spices, pipe tobacco, anise, tar and finely grained oak. Should mature beautifully over the next 2-3 years. Drink now-2021+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon - 89pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $34.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: December 29th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A cool-climate Cabernet with a touch of green vegetal and black olive notes grounding the blue and dark fruit characters on the spicy nose and toasted oak palate. A full-bodied wine with good length and acidity and grippy tannins. Ready to go now and should hold for a few more years. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2015 Merlot - 88pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $25.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: December 28th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A full-bodied, glycerol-rich Merlot with a blend of ripe berry and smoky oak aromas on the boisterous nose and the similarly flavoured, acid-rimmed palate. Herbs'n'spice linger on the moderate, mouth-watering, woody finish. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2014 Reserve Chardonnay - 89pts

Cassini Cellars 2014 Reserve Chardonnay (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 14.3%
Production: 229 cases
Date Tasted: December 26th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Sourced from a 22 year old vineyard along the Golden Mile Bench, this is a fully oaked (10 months in new oak), deep gold coloured Chardonnay with baked apple and vanilla cream aromas on the luxurious nose and the smoke-lined, well balanced palate. Though a touch of vanilla'n'spice lingers, the finish is a tad short. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca 

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2015 Cabernet Franc - 88pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2015 Cabernet Franc (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Contact the winery here
Cost: $30.50 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 170 cases
Date Tasted: December 19th, 2017

Tasting Notes: This Cabernet Franc spends 18 months in French oak (30% new) prior to bottling and opens with some lovely  floral and lifted berry fruit aromas on the nose. This is followed by a more masculine, bright and metallic palate with mouth-watering black currant acidity and dusty tannins framing the cool-berry fruit and spice box flavours. Drink now-2020.
-  Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2014 Cabernet Franc - 91+pts

Cassini Cellars 2014 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14.8%
Production: 295 cases
Date Tasted: December 17th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Given time to warm-up and breath in the glass, the nose of this Cabernet Franc will come to life and present a gorgeous, developing bouquet of wild blueberry and blackberry fruit, light eucalyptus-mint and cedar notes and a subtle perfume of violets and white blossoms. It tastes just as it smells with a touch of spice to accompany the elegant texture and silky-smooth tannins and bright, berry acidity.

Intensity and length doesn't quite match the outstanding 2013 vintage, but we're splitting hairs with Cabernet Franc of such high quality. Ready to go now and will hold for many years. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Chateau Rahoul 2013 Blanc - 86+pts

Chateau Rahoul 2013 Blanc (Graves) Bordeaux - France

Availability: Limited
Cost: $25-30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: December 16th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A golden-hued, pungent blend of 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc with baked lemon, white flowers, apricot, lemon grass and a touch of mint on the nose and palate. Missing an acidic kick on the long finish to balance the oily texture. Ready to go now or cellar for another 5-6 years to bring out the unctuous qualities of the Semillon further. Drink now-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars N/V Gold Label Brut - 91pts

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars N/V Gold Label Brut (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $27.90 including taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Disgorged: March 2017
Date Tasted: December 16th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Fine, persistent bubbles sparkle in the light-copper hue of the latest release of Blue Mountain's always-excellent, non-vintage brut; a blend of 58% Pinot Noir, 38% Chardonnay and 4% Pinot Gris produced in the traditional method and disgorged in March of this year. 

A lovely wine with plenty of texture and a nice balance between vibrant notes of zesty citrus, cool mineral and green apple and warm'n'cozy notes of toffee, apricot and unpasteurised honey. 

No longer an under $25 steel, but still offers exceptional value at its new price of $28. Drink now or hold for 5-7 more years.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2016 Pinot Noir Cuvée - 90pts

SpierHead Winery 2016 Pinot Noir Cuvée (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $38
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: December 13th, 2017

Tasting Notes: The Cuvée is a blend of Dijon and Pommard clones (35% Dijon 115, 25% Dijon 667, 25% Dijon 828 and 15% Pommard) from the winery's East Kelowna estate vineyard and successfully expresses the uniqueness of the terroir along with classic BC Pinot characters. Look for typical aromas and flavours of creamy raspberry and tangy cherry fruit, sweet earth and vanilla, finishing long with a touch of spice and lingering Black Forest cake notes.

This year's vintage is decidedly un-fined and unfiltered with a slight haziness in the medium ruby hue. Ready to go now and could evolve further in the cellar over the next 2-3 years. Drink 2018-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2015 Old Vines Foch Reserve - 90pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2015 Old Vines Foch Reserve (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $46.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: December 13th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Always one of the most beautifully scented wines every year, the 2015 edition of the Old Vines Foch Reserve offers a seductive, aromatic and perfumed nose of sweet, candied cherries, potpourri, Christmas cake spice, Kirsch and smoked vanilla aromas.

This year's palate is not as full-bodied as recent vintages, with more prominent, cranberry acidity and tangy berry flavours and a touch of mineral on the otherwise oak and spice-kissed finish. Ready to go now with little decanting. Will make a fun alternative to Pinot Noir for your next duck or game dish. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Cailleteau Gamay Nouveau - 87pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Cailleteau Gamay Nouveau (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 180 cases
Date Tasted: December 12th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Fans of Beaujolais Nouveau will not be disappointed in this Okanagan tribute to the quirky, quickly fermented, 100% Gamay Noir wine. Classic Kirsch and candied fruit'n'nut aromas and flavours with a susurrus of Okanagan wild sage in the background. 

This dry, low tannin wine with a lingering finish of spice and dried cherries, should make an intriguing companion to holiday party appetizers or sharing plates. Enjoy this wine in its youth and slightly chilled. Drink now.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2015 Syrah - 92-93pts

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2015 Syrah (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.9%
Date Tasted: December 10th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Though Painted Rock is best known for its ripe and complex Red Icon blend, the wine gaining ground as the flagship product is the winery's estate-grown Syrah. Mind-blowing intense, yet, without ever feeling over-extracted or jammy. This youthful Syrah displays ripe cherry and plum fruit with integrated white pepper, pepperoni and floral aromas followed on the dry, grippy-tannin palate with similar flavours and added layers of blood orange, mint and vanilla.

Finishes long with lingering spice and cigar box notes. Ready to go now, with 4+ hrs of decanting, though, the best results will come with patience and mid-term cellaring. Drink 2019-2025.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2014 Nobilus - 90pts

Cassini Cellars 2014 Nobilus (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 15%
Production: 125 cases
Date Tasted: December 9th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A massive Merlot with an uber-full palate thanks to rich'n'ripe berry fruit, a touch of residual sugar and plenty of glycerol texture from the 15% alcohol - reminiscent of Californian Primitivo. Big on the nose too, with aromas of blackberry, plum, menthol, spiced vanilla, cocoa liqueur and oak. Profile is consistent on the intense palate with similar flavours, heightened degree of spice, blueberry acidity and dusty tannins. Ready to go now, yet, should hold nicely for the next few years. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Blasted Church Vineyards 2012 OMG - 87pts

Blasted Church Vineyards 2012 OMG (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here. BCLDB stores
Cost: $27
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 800 cases
Date Tasted: December 7th, 2017

Tasting Notes: The playfully labeled OMG is a blend of 67% Pinot Noir, 22% Chardonnay and 11% Pinot Blanc and produced with the traditional, in-bottle second fermentation method. This process imparts yeasty-goodness into the bouquet and texture of the wine from the long exposure to its spent lees and the Blasted Church OMG offers these characters in spades. What it might be lacking is a touch more fruit and residual sugar with a racy profile focused more on mineral and nut flavours and plenty of raw acidity. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Lunessence Winery and Vineyard 2016 Winemaker's Cut Sauvignon Blanc - 89pts

Lunessence Winery and Vineyard 2016 Winemaker's Cut Sauvignon Blanc (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Visit website here 
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 270 cases
Date Tasted: December 7th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A beautifully crisp and pungent Sauvignon Blanc with ample exotic and citrus fruit, lemon grass and celery on the mineral-kissed nose and palate. Sourced from an Osoyoos vineyard and partially aged (20%) in Slovakian oak for 5 months prior to blending. Finish is long with citrus rind and a touch of spice lingering. Lip-smacking good! Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2015 Red Icon - 93pts

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2015 Red Icon (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $47.79 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.6%
Production: 1487 cases
Date Tasted: December 5th, 2017

@PaintedRockWine

Tasting Notes: The 2015 edition of the uber-popular Red Icon sees 45% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, 11% Malbec, 11% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon expertly combined to create the refined, yet, powerful Bordeaux-inspired wine we've all come to admire. It's a flagship product for the BC wine industry exported around the world thanks to the desire of the family owned and operated winery wishing to prove the merits of the Province's homegrown wines to the international market.

Always complex and layered, look for brambly berries, cool cassis, licorice'n'mint, fresh tobaco, spiced herbs and brooding, smokey oak notes on the glass escaping nose and the elegant, dry palate where fine, grippy tannins linger on a long, spicy finish.

This vintage is very approachable in its youth, much more so than recent vintages, though, it should hold well for 7-8 years in your cellar. Drink now-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2016 Pinot Gris - 88pts

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2016 Pinot Gris (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine shops
Cost: $20.90
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: December 4th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A partially oaked Pinot Gris (60% stainless steel and 40% in 4th fill oak) that saw 0% malolactic fermentation for the 2016 vintage which is noticeably less rich and textured, though, still well-balanced and more minerally than the 2015. Look for stone fruits, citrus and layers of herbs and light spice on the pleasant nose and long finish. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2014 Merlot - 89+pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here upon release
Cost: $34.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 15.3%
Date Tasted: December 1st, 2017

Tasting Notes: The sensory contact of the 2014 Painted Rock Merlot is dialed up to "11", especially on the palate where the sensation of acidity is higher than any previous vintage of the otherwise feminine and well balanced wine. Look for integrated blackberry, vanilla, cocoa, oak and dried herbs on both the sweet berry kissed nose and the bright, smooth tannin palate. Enjoy now or file away in your cellar for some further development. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca