Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2015 Old Vines Foch - 88pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 3750 cases
Date Tasted: January 31st, 2018

Tasting Notes: The nose of this old vines Foch is graced with smoked coffee, spiced plum, black cherry and raspberry aromas which transmit a unique, intriguing signature, not easily duplicated. The compelling ensemble continues through to the similarly flavoured, mouth-watering palate where cranberry acidity balanced the smokey notes and vanilla-toasted oak. Spice lingers on the moderate finish. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon - 95pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not Yet released.. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $TBA
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: January 27th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Likely to be limited to the wine club only, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine may be the best reason ever to join such a club with its out-of-this-world depth of flavour, rarely seen in a BC Cab. Both sensual and powerful on the nose with deep, minty dark chocolate, pure cassis liqueur, cordial cherry and nutmeg aromas. 

The ultra fine tannin palate is equally intense and layered with similar flavours of menthol, cocoa, cassis, kirsch and spice, The long, long finish offers additional notes of vanilla, toasted oak and sweet, blackberry acidity. Truly divine.

Enjoy now with plenty of decanting or hold for another 3-4 years. Drink 2018-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca 

Bench 1775 Winery 2016 Malbec Nouveau - 84pts

Bench 1775 Winery 2016 Malbec Nouveau (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Wine club only. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $TBA
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: January 26th, 2018
@Bench1775

Tasting Notes: Produced like a Beaujolais Nouveau using Okanagan Malbec grapes (a strange sentence to be writing for sure). Candied fruit and spice grace the nose while an off-dry, sweet'n'sour plum sauce palate follows with both jammy mouth-watering textures. Would make an interesting companion to dates and blue cheese. Drink 2018..
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Vin Gris Of Pinot Noir - 84pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $34.99
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 138cases
Date Tasted: January 25th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Produced from Pinot Noir grapes and crushed as a white wine with only a light, brassy hue passed along from brief skin contact. Grass and nettles dominate the nose  at first sniff with the scent of freshly crushed grapes playing a supporting role. The grape theme continues through to the fleshy palate with a medley of apple and table grape flavours and a touch of citrus acidity. Has the consistency and presence of apple juice. Finish is sharp and short. Drink 2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2016 Market Red - 85pts

Sperling Vineyards 2016 Market Red (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 12.2%
Production: 500 cases
Date Tasted: January 22nd, 2018

Tasting Notes: Produced from estate grown Pinot Noir and Marechal Foch vines averaging in age of an impressive 30 years plus. Very masculine and a tad green with briny, blue fruit and black cherry aromas on the nose and similar fruit showing on the lightly tannic palate beneath layers of minerals and tomato stock. Spice notes and cranberry acidity resolve on the short finish. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Chardonnay - 89pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $30 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.7%
Date Tasted: January 20th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Both rich and vibrant and anchored with baby bear levels of oak (just right) on the vanilla and peach cream scented nose and on the orchard'n'citrus fruit infused palate. Layers of mineral, blossom and spice add depth throughout. Clove, pear and ever-so-slightly bitter lemon zest notes linger on the long finish. Drink 2018-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - 92pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40.35
Alcohol: 14.3%
Production: 151 cases
Date Tasted: January 19th, 2018

Tasting Notes: The 2014 edition of the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunner. Sublime on the nose and palate with enchanting notes of menthol floating above layers of classic cassis, sour cherry, cocoa nibs and baked, blackberry flesh and seeds. Rich in texture and body and long on the spicy finish where toasted oak and clove linger. 

Ready to go now and through the next 3-4 years. Pair with a simply seasoned, filet mignon steak and roasted veggies. Drink 2018-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Liber Farm and Winery 2016 Everyday Chardonnay - 87pts

Liber Farm and Winery 2016 Everyday Chardonnay (Similkameen Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.7%
Date Tasted: January 17th, 2018

Tasting Notes: An unoaked Chardonnay with plenty of acidic zip but far from a one-note wine with a lovely floral layer on the otherwise orchard fruit-scented nose and plenty of acid-grounding body on the citrus'n'apple infused palate. A touch 'hot' on the moderate finish where lemon rind and spice lingers briefly. Ready to go now. Drink 2018-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2015 Roussanne - 87pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2015 Roussanne (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: TBA
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: January 13th, 2018

Tasting Notes: This (nearly) off-dry Roussanne makes an intriguing addition to the Black Hills portfolio, offering a blend of fresh, unpasteurized honey, apricot, canned peach, coconut flesh and stewed carrot aromas on the nose with a similar cacophony of flavours on the mouth-watering'yet'creamy palate where additional notes of spicy ginger and cinnamon applesauce present themselves. The finish is a little short and watering after the spice and stone fruit notes fade.

Sealed with a Stelvin cap enclosure to prolong the natural freshness of this Roussanne. Pair with undressed pork chops served with fava beans and theme-betrothed, cinnamon-infused applesauce. Ready to go now. Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2016 Pinot Noir - 88pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: January 7th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A bright and joyful Pinot Noir, a blend of multiple vineyard sites, blocks and clones, fruit-forward with raspberry characters dominant; from the sweet juice, to the tangy, fresh acidity and to the woody seeds. Grounded by earthy notes and smooth, lightly smoked tannins. Dry herbs and spice add depth on the finish where a touch of tangy cranberry lingers. Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2014 Quattro - 89pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29
Alcohol: 15%
Production: 2200 cases
Date Tasted: January 4th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A fruit forward blend of 4 grapes, as the name suggests; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot (percentages withheld). Enjoy layers of ripe, blue and red fruits, scented brush and vanilla-mocha on the feminine nose. The (mostly) dry palate follows with similar red and blue fruit on the entry and a soothing rush of spice mid-palate. The finish is dry with lingering baking spice notes and wild berry acidity.

Ready to go now of hold for another 3-4 years. Drink 2018-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Château De Myrat 2007 - 94pts

Château De Myrat 2007 Grand Cru Classe (Sauternes) Bordeaux - France

Availability: Limited
Cost: ??
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: December 31st, 2017

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. At 10 years of age this elegant Sauternes has turned a brilliant, medium amber hue and offers developed aromas of canned peaches, dried apricots and orange liqueur on the sublime, medium-plus intense nose. The finish has shortened a tad, but the grace and depth remain in bloom with flavours of nutty-honey, peach nectar, candied ginger and a touch of smoky toffee.

Has another 5 years to go in its prime. Drink now-2024.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Mission Hill Estate Winery 2014 Perpetua - 91-92pts

Mission Hill Estate Winery 2014 Perpetua (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: BCLDB stores

Cost: $55 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5
Date Tasted: December 31st, 2017

Tasting Notes: With the Perpetua shooting up in price over the past few years and its lavish presentation (the pewter, embossed label is a particularly rich touch) it's tempting to look only for faults to write about and jump to the conclusion that its not worth the hefty price tag. But 'worth' and 'value' are relative terms and this is one heck of a great Chardonnay. Damn it!

Sourced from the winery's most Southern vineyard near Osoyoos, this Chardonnay admirably showcases the flavours and aromas the grape can offer in BC. Pale gold, in colour, with a joyful blend of flowers, honey, orchard and citrus fruit aromas on the beautiful bouquet which carry through with excellent consistency to the ever-so-slightly off-dry and (nearly) full-bodied palate where added mineral and spice notes linger on the long, balanced finish.

Ready to go now or hold for further development. Drink now-2021.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Viognier - 89+pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Viognier (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: December 30th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Black Hills have dialed in their Viognier program delivering a focused wine with both plump, Tropical fruit and lean, refreshing citrus characters that make it a great pairing for rich, spicy soups and seafood dishes. Look for subtle notes of white flowers on the pleasant nose and fresh, tangy apricots on the palate. The finish is long with lingering clove and aniseed spice. Could improve with further cellaring. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Bench 1775 Winery 2016 Viognier - 90pts

Bench 1775 Winery 2016 Viognier (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Wine club only. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 900 cases
Date Tasted: December 30th, 2017
@Bench1775

Tasting Notes: A nice example of the Rhone Valley grape showcasing its unique blend of body, crisp citrus backbone, spice and exotic fruit. This year's release is blended with 5% Pinot Gris, sees no oak and is sourced from two vineyards, one along the Naramata Bench and the other near Osoyoos. Finishes long with lingering lemon/lime zest notes and a touch of spice. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca