Yealands Family Wines 2016 Peter Yealands Pinot Noir - 89pts

Yealands Family Wines 2016 Peter Yealands Pinot Noir (Marlborough) New Zealand

Availability: Costco
Cost: $16-20 USD + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 27th, 2018

Tasting Notes: As Marlborough Pinot Noir goes, the Peter Yealands ticks all the right boxes: earthiness-check, dark red berries-check, spicy plum-check, lingering smoky aftertaste-check. It's all there and it tastes good. Is it super distinctive from other Marlborough Pinot Noir? Maybe a skosh, in that this 2016 vintage integrates all the ticked boxes nicely and a hint of residual sugar adds welcomed texture lacking in other more straight-forward and more masculine Marlborough Pinots. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Marchesi Antinori 2016 Bramito Chardonnay - 91pts

Marchesi Antinori 2016 Bramito Chardonnay (Umbria IGT) Italy

Availability: Costco, Specialty stores
Cost: $16.99-19.99 USD + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: February 27th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Far from a 'showy' or bombastic Chardonnay, Antinori's Bramito, meaning the call of a deer in Italian, is subtle on the pitaya and Meyer lemon scented nose and on the well-balanced, citrus'n'spice kissed, medium-bodied palate where oak and melon flavours play only a supporting role to the leading spice and acidity layers. The finish is long with lingering spice and lemon/lime rind tingling your tongue through to the next sip. Both refreshing and food-friendly. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau Bouscasse 2012 Grand Vin - 92pts

Chateau Bouscasse 2012 Grand Vin (Madiran AOC) Occitanie - France

Availability: Costco
Cost: $18.99-23.99 + taxes USD
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: February 23rd, 2018

Tasting Notes: Hailing from the Madiran AOC in South-West France, this blend of 60% Tannat, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc makes one imagine a mash-up of a youthful, Right Bank Bordeaux with an aged, rustic Rioja; both raw and refined with floral-meaty-pruny characters and tannin to spare. Best to give this eclectic wine more time in the bottle to age and integrate further. Drink 2020-2024.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau D'Aqueria 2016 Rosé - 91pts

Chateau D'Aqueria 2016 Rosé (Tavel AOC) Rhone Valley - France

Availability: Costco
Cost: $14.99-17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: February 23rd, 2018

Tasting Notes: A 'pretty' rosé with an attractive, strawberry-orange colour and an abundance of strawberry-cola and floral aromas on the medium intense nose and a blend of similar flavours with lifted cran-watermelon notes adding freshness to the spice-infused palate. A long, citrus'n'spice kissed finish lingers. So refreshing. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Peachy Canyon 2015 Westside Zinfandel - 90pts

Peachy Canyon 2015 Westside Zinfandel (Paso Robles) California - USA

Availability: Costco
Cost: $15-18 + taxes USD
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: February 20th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Big and fruity with more American V8, straight-forward power than finesse, this blend of 77% Zinfandel, 8% Petite Syrah, 7% Primitivo and 6% Alicante Pouschet is effortless to enjoy with juicy, black cherry and pruny, spiced plum fruit supported nicely by sweet peppercorn, minerals, oak and smoky anise aromas and flavours. The finish is long and spicy with mint and licorice lingering through to the next sip. Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Saintsbury 2014 Carneros Chardonnay - 91pts

Saintsbury 2014 Carneros Chardonnay (Carneros) California - USA

Availability: Costco
Cost: $19.99 + taxes USD
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 21st, 2018

Tasting Notes: A barrel fermented and malolactic induced Chardonnay from Carneros vineyards that manages to remain fresh and vibrant with effortless acidity and a pleasant combination of ripe citrus and lean orchard fruit characters on the medium intense nose and the long, (very long) lasting palate where a lovely element of spice and lemon peel lingers. Drink 2018-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau de Camarsac 2014 Cuvée Prestige - 88pts

Chateau de Camarsac 2014 Cuvée Prestige (Bordeaux Superieur) Bordeaux - France

Availability: Costco
Cost: $15.99-19.99 USD
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 21st, 2018

Tasting Notes: A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux, the Cuvée Prestige is a mellow, refined wine with a masculine-leaning flavour profile of spices, licorice, toasted oak, iodine, graphite and a black fruit. Perfect for lean cuts of beef. Drink now-2023.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Hahn Estate 2016 S.L.H. Pinot Noir - 90pts

Hahn Estate 2016 S.L.H. Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) Monterey - California

Availability: Costco
Cost: $17.99-21.99 USD
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: February 18th, 2018
@Bench1775

Tasting Notes: Juxtaposed cool-berry and ripe cherry aromas mingle on the appealing nose with added notes of cola and vanilla spice. An easy-to-love palate follows with a touch of residual sugar adding volume and carrying the bright, raspberry and spicy plum flavours. Earth, spice and oak notes linger on the moderate-plus finish. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Renaissance Syrah - 89pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: February 16th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Feminine in style with a generous, aromatic nose of violets, cherry, strawberry chiffon, spice and a touch of cola and licorice. This Osoyoos-sourced Syrah offers a lively palate with plenty of wild berry acidity and flavours of black cherry, sun-kissed blackberry and blood orange with persistent pepper spice through to the moderate-plus finish. Ready to go now and will hold for 3-4 more years. Drink 2018-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Renaissance Merlot - 90pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Renaissance Merlot (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here, VQA stores
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: February 14th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Great concentration of ripe berry fruit opens the appealing nose of this home vineyard-sourced, reserve Merlot from the Okanagan Falls winery. The sweet fruit is followed by waves of sweet herbs, oak and mocha aromas. The dark fruit and dark chocolate mint flavoured palate is refreshingly well-balanced with lively, wild berry acidity offsetting the full-ish weight. 

Drinking well now, but to maximize your investment I recommend waiting another 2 years, if you have the patience. Drink 2020-2025.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Dames Wine 2015 White - 88pts

Dames Wine 2015 White (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $262 for a case of 12
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 327 cases
Date Tasted: February 12th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Produced in support of the BC chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier to fund scholarships provided by the organization for women in the food and beverage industries, this dry, aromatic blend of 80% Pinot Blanc, 10% Riesling and 10% Gewurztraminer was sourced from vineyards in Kelowna and Okanagan Falls.

Pale peach and light nectarine fruit is supported by layers of hay/straw and steely minerality on both the blossom-scented, subtle nose and on the light-bodied, citrus-bright palate. Ready to go now. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Liber Farm and Winery 2016 Hello Sunshine - 88pts

Liber Farm and Winery 2016 Hello Sunshine (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.8%
Date Tasted: February 9th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A cheerful, (mostly) dry, well-balanced blend of Viognier, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer with an aromatic nose of white blossoms, Asian pear, white peach and a touch of spice and lychee. The palate has similar flavours with added citrus characters which compliment and mellow the initial, oily texture. A taste of Summer? Absolutely. Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2016 Chardonnay - 88pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine stores
Cost: $20.90
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: February 7th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A refreshing Chardonnay to pair with sensual/textural seafood entrées like seared scallops or poached halibut thanks to its vibrant citrus fruit on the vanilla scone and oak scented nose and on the lees'n'mineral spiked, medium bodied palate. 

This vintage is perhaps a tad too acidic for pasta dishes, but it can happily stand on its. Finish is moderately long and dry with a touch of lingering spice and lemon/lime. Enjoy now and over the next 3 years. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2016 Market White - 87pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $15.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 10.2%
Production: 1400 cases
Date Tasted: February 2nd, 2018

Tasting Notes: Fresh and vibrant with bright acidity and lifted aromatics, this blend of Pinot Blanc and Bacchus (plus traces of Riesling, Vidal and Pinot Gris) is packed with an ensemble of classic and exotic citrus characters on the nose and on the palate where off-dry levels of residual sugar balance the tartness nicely. Pair with spicy Thai dishes or dim sum. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca