JoieFarm 2017 Pinot Blanc - 87pts

JoieFarm 2017 Pinot Blanc (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $24.90 including taxes
Alcohol: 11.7%
Production: 376 cases
Date Tasted: April 30th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A leaner and crisper edition of this East Kelowna sourced Pinot Blanc. For 2017 the emphasis is on mineral-infused orchard fruit with less aromatic notes on the Northern Italian, Grigio-esk nose with citrus zest, apple flesh and kiwi flavours on the vibrant palate. Ready to go now. Drink 2018-2020.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2017 "En Famille" Reserve Muscat - 89pts

JoieFarm 2017 "En Famille" Reserve Muscat (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $27.90 including taxes
Alcohol: 11.4%
Production: 401 cases
Date Tasted: April 28th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Sourced solely from the winery's home vineyard along the Naramata Bench and new for the 2017 vintage, this Muscat has been elevated to the firm's reserve, "En Famille" tier. Opens with an intensely perfumed and aromatic, yet, delicate nose of orange blossom, nectarine, peach skin, lemon and mineral aromas. Decidedly dryer than previous incarnations of this wine with grape skin, stone fruit, mineral and citrus flavours on the bright palate where a hint pf white pepper lingers on a moderate finish. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2017 Rosé - 88pts

JoieFarm 2017 Rosé (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $23.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 3573 cases
Date Tasted: April 26th, 2018

Tasting Notes: With its distinctive deep pink colour, the JoieFarm rosé is a consistently refreshing, Summer sipper with beautiful, savoury herb characters to compliment the classic, sweet'n'tart, red berry notes on the complex nose and the textured, tannin-kissed palate. A blend of 80% Pinot Noir from Skaha Bench and 20% Gamay Noir from East Kelowna, this blush can stand on its own or pair with a wide range of foods; from lobster to burger and fries. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Dry Riesling - 87pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Dry Riesling (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $15.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: TBA
Date Tasted: April 25th, 2018

Tasting Notes: The delicate nose of peach skin and nectarine aromas is no indication of the tart, grapefruit and green apple punch to the gut your palate is soon to experience. This (somewhat) dry Riesling is loaded with an array of citrus fruit and fresh, slightly under-ripe apple flavours and acidity. Pair with a contrasting texture of hard, white cheese to avoid palate fatigue. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Chenin Blanc - 88pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Chenin Blanc (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 3000 cases
Date Tasted: April 23rd, 2018

Tasting Notes: A consistently well-produced and refreshingly crisp Chenin Blanc, sourced from multiple vineyard sites in the Okanagan Valley, with plenty of texture and layers of stone fruit, lemon grass, minerals, lees and orchard fruit. Again we see 10% Sauvignon Blanc blended in to enhance the nose and citrus elements on the mouth-watering palate. Ready to go now. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Rosé - 88pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Rosé (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 8500 cases
Date Tasted: April 16th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Quite possibly the best valued BC rosé on offer in the market today with a kiss of residual sugar and plenty of character on the fruit'n'savoury nose and the lip-smackin', textured palate. A blend of 50% Gamay Noir, 40% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Gris, look for earthy strawberry, cranberry, citrus peel, white pepper, sage and fleshy plum notes and  grippy acidity and tannins on the finish. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Gewurztraminer - 87pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Gewurztraminer (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $15.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: TBA
Date Tasted: April 16th, 2018

Tasting Notes: The Quails' Gate Gewurztraminer offers a nice balance between 'goo-ey' and 'lean' examples of the Alsatian variety as produced in the Okanagan Valley with classic lychee, floral and apple notes on the casual nose and the upbeat palate where off-dry levels of residual sugar are nicely offset by pineapple acidity. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Mission Hill Estate Winery 2016 Five Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc - 85pts

Mission Hill Estate Winery 2016 Five Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: BCLDB stores

Cost: $13-15 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5
Date Tasted: April 14th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Soured from vineyards in Oliver and Osoyoos, this entry-level Sauvignon Blanc offers some variety typicity in the form of bright, green apple acidity and mineral-infused citrus notes on the nose and (mostly) dry palate, Beyond that, the dominant characteristics are 'lean, tart, white'. 

Could you add 'tasty' to the list? Yes, but classic Sauvignon Blanc it is not. Drink now-2019.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Dames Wine 2013 Red - 86pts

Dames Wine 2013 Red (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $262 for a case of 12
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 173 cases
Date Tasted: April 14th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A dry, medium-bodied blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Syrah from the Southern Okanagan and 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. Opens with a pleasant, berry and vanilla-infused nose with similar berry flavours on the low-tannin palate. Finish is short.

Though still fruity, this wine is close to its peak and should be consumed within the next 1-2 years, tops. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Chasselas Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris - 87pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Chasselas Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB Stores and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: TBA
Date Tasted: April 13th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A refreshing, textured blend of Chasselas, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris (percentages TBA) with a lifted, floral'n'citrus scented nose and a dry palate with a mouth-watering medley of stonefruit, honeydew melon, minerals, grapefruit, green apple and light spice flavours. Less Tropical than recent vintages; leaner, meaner and tart in the most positively, sun-quenching way. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Icewine Vidal - 91+pts

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Icewine Vidal (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $60 + taxes
Alcohol: 10.2%
Production: 190 cases (375m)
Date Tasted: April 10th, 2018

Tasting Notes: This brassy-gold hued ice wine is made from biodynamically farmed Vidal grapes harvested at -8ºC creating an unctuous, textural dessert wine loaded with ripe, orchard and Tropical fruit on the developing nose and the fully off-dry, long palate. Look for mango, peach, papaya and orange aromas and flavours.

Pair with a not-as-sweet dessert or try something different like a hard, white cheese like Swiss Gruyere. Drink now-2025.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Riesling Late Harvest - 90pts

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Riesling Late Harvest (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $30 + taxes
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 368 cases (375m)
Date Tasted: April 10th, 2018

Tasting Notes: This late harvest Riesling opens with the appealing aromas of honey-soaked apricots and honeycrisp apples and with a hint of lime in the background. The sweet, apricot and honeydew-infused palate has a solid, acidic backbone to keep this lovely dessert wine balanced. A touch of tangy apple notes linger on the moderate finish. Pair with a not-so-sweet dessert like a fresh fruit tart with no added sugar. Drink now-2023.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Liber Farm and Winery 2015 Let Me Be Frank - 87pts

Liber Farm and Winery 2015 Let Me Be Frank (Similkameen Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: April 9th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A continuation of the smokey-floral profile of the winery's Signature Red, though, this 100% Cabernet Franc release, sourced from organic, Similkameen-grown grapes, offers a little more fineness and length. Look for violet, cherry-cola and potpourri aromas on the nose with the dry, medium-bodied palate offering similar flavours and more pronounced, earth'n'spice savoury notes. A touch of sweetened, vape-smoke lingers on the moderate-plus finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Liber Farm and Winery 2015 Signature Red - 86pts

Liber Farm and Winery 2015 Signature Red (Similkameen Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $23 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.3%
Date Tasted: April 8th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A medium-bodied blend of organic Cabernet and Merlot grapes from the Similkameen Valley (specifics withheld). More floral than fruity, on the nose, with blossom and herb aromas and the distinct note of a dusty bar of potpourri-scented soap. Palate is dry and slightly bitter on the finish with a veil of smoke over the black cherry, spice, herbs and oak flavours. Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca