KWV Winery 2016 Big Bill Cabernet Sauvignon - 85pts

KWV Winery 2016 Big Bill Cabernet Sauvignon (Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 31st, 2018

Tasting Notes: Essentially, the 'Big Bill' Cabernet Sauvignon is a less-intense version of its cousin, KWV's over-achieving Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, also from the Western Cape and within reach of the same price range. Now, nothing is really out-of-place with the Bill; there's concentrated dark berry fruit and a touch of smoke on the nose and the palate is full(ish) and fairly well balanced, but there's no length and most of the body comes from the 4g/l of residual sugar.

As the Cathedral routinely goes on-sale for the matching price of $13.99, keep an eye out and stock-up. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2017 White Pinot Noir - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2017 White Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores

Cost: $24 + taxes

Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 500 cases

Date Tasted: May 28th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A what? A Pinot Noir harvested for its white wine potential from multiple sights in the central Okanagan Valley, carefully pressed to minimize any skin contact producing a brilliant, near-colourless, ultra-aromatic Summer sipper. Full(ish) and rich in texture and depth, yet, very well balanced by fresh apricot acidity. Look for a medley of orchard fruit aromas and flavours and serve confidently on its own or pair it with Halibut. Citrus peel notes and a hint spice linger on the long finish. Drink now-2019.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Estate Bottled Sauvignon Blanc - 87pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Estate Bottled Sauvignon Blanc (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and LCBO stores
Cost: $15.95
Alcohol: 12.7%
Production: 7000 cases
Date Tasted: May 25th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Pleasantly stinky on the nose with a touch of asparagus and ammonia notes contributing some zing to the Asian pear, grass and stony, gooseberry aromas. Palate is well balanced with a touch of residual sugar contrasting the crisp apple and tangy citrus acidity and flavours. This platinum blond Sauvignon Blanc should make for a delicious sun quencher during the hotter months of the year (also known as 'Summer'). Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Boekenhoutskloof 2017 The Wolftrap - 86pts

Boekenhoutskloof 2017 The Wolftrap (W.O Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $13.49 +taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: May 24, 2018

Tasting Notes: Predominantly savoury and spicy on the nose, though, not without a perceptible layer of ripe blackberry nicely integrated amongst the peppercorn, new leather and cured meat aromas. The full bodied and RS-kissed palate is packed with sweet and savoury spice with red and dark fruit flavours complimenting the dusty tannins. Finish is short but satisfying. Pair with sweet'n'spicy BBQ ribs (heavy on the sauce). Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Anthonij Rupert Wyne 2017 Protea Chenin Blanc - 86pts

Anthonij Rupert Wyne 2017 Protea Chenin Blanc (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 23rd, 2018

Tasting Notes: A flash of candied ginger opens the nose of the Western Cape Chenin Blanc with aromas of melon and citrus fruit following swiftly. The mouth-watering and fleshy palate is lightly off-dry offering candied, citrus acidity like the sweet'n'tangy fruit slice confections of old, to balance the profile of apricot, melon, peach and tangerine flavours. Finish is a bit short, though, a touch of spice lingers briefly. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca 

JoieFarm 2017 Chic Fille Pinot Meunier Rosé - 86pts

JoieFarm 2017 Chic Fille Pinot Meunier Rosé (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $30.35 + taxes
Alcohol: 10.5%
Date Tasted: May 19th, 2018

Tasting Notes: 'Chic Fille' is a new side label from JoieFarm's proprietor and winemaker, Heidi Noble, and this first release, a rosé, falls into the 'for better, for worse' category of ultra-natural wines which showcase the raw, un-manipulated characters of their fermented variety, in this case, the seldom non-sparkling, Champagne workhorse, Pinot Meunier; and 'raw' it is.

This deep pink hued, dry, low-alcohol, high acid rosé tastes of Pinot Meunier grapes right off the vine complete with the tannin and savoury notes of the crushed seeds and skins. Look for a touch of spice on the bitter, citrus-rind flavoured finish after the confected fruit and smoky grapefruit characters fade. 

Shares only a little DNA with the more polished and approachable, "Think Pink" flagship rosé under the house label, therefore, consider the Chic Fille blush the unkempt, slightly smelly, distant hippy cousin of the family. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

KWV Winery 2015 Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - 88pts

KWV Winery 2015 Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.99-16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 18th, 2018

Tasting Notes: If you don't like a bit of smoke in your wine then you'll want to steer clear of this Cabernet Sauvignon from KWV whose plummy-chocolate-herbal nose is practically smoldering. The combination carries through to the full-bodied, slightly off-dry palate (to this reviewer's delight). Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Bodegas Catena 2015 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon - 92pts

Bodegas Catena 2015 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) Argentina

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $48.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc sourced from 3 of the winery's high elevation vineyards in different sub-regions of Mendoza: each lot selected for what it can bring out in the finished wine. In terms of relatability, think the concentration of California (sans the over-extraction) meets the finesse of the Haut-Médoc. Nice balance between familiar cassis and black fruit characters and layers of savoury notes on the nose and palate; cocoa, herbs and smooth oak. Ready to go now with a long decant, though, best in another 1-2 years. Drink 2020-2025.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Flat Roof Manor 2017 Pinot Grigio - 85pts

Flat Roof Manor 2017 Pinot Grigio (W.O Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.29 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: May 17th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A pleasant, well-priced Pinot Grigio from South Africa's West Cape region with a clean, crisp profile of white peach, lemon/lime and green apple aromas and flavours. No oak in sight with a touch of RS upfront, then finishing dry with some lemon zest lingering briefly. Pair with vinaigrette-dressed salads. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Two Oceans Wines 2017 Sauvignon Blanc - 85pts

Two Oceans Wines 2017 Sauvignon Blanc (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $10.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Cleaner, on the nose, than recent vintages which suffered from an overabundance of pungency. The 2017 edition of this budget Sauv Blanc is clean and crisp with light, tropical and pear fruit aromas followed by a tart, lip-smacking palate of citrus and tropical fruit flavours and acidity. A one-dimensional, yet, effective sun-quencher. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Bodegas Catena 2015 Catena Alta Chardonnay - 92-93pts

Bodegas Catena 2015 Catena Alta Chardonnay (Mendoza) Argentina

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $38.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Produced from select lots from two of Catena's high altitude vineyards with a combination of gravelly and limestone soils. This is an enchanting and elegant Chardonnay with gentle oak influence throughout the gorgeous, easy-to-love nose of vanilla cream, apple, melon and stonefruit aromas and the mango, mineral and grapefruit flavoured, slightly off-dry palate. 

Balance is spot-on with a delicate weight and texture and lively acidity. Finish is long and refined. Very Niagara Peninsula in its structure. Should improve over the next two to three years. Drink 2020-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Boschendal Wines 2016 '1685' Chardonnay - 86pts

Boschendal Wines 2016 '1685' Chardonnay (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $18.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 15th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A lightly oaked and tangy Chardonnay with a nice combination of orchard, citrus and exotic fruit complimented by a layer of leesy notes and a touch of minerals: good complexity for this price-point. The short finish skews towards bitterness on the balance spectrum, but this is masked when paired with hard white cheeses which elevate the wine and moderate its punchy qualities. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

KWV Winery 2017 The Vinecrafter Chardonnay - 85pts

KWV Winery 2017 The Vinecrafter Chardonnay (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $8.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 9th, 2018

Tasting Notes: To make this ultra low-budget Chardonnay, KWV made one excellent decision: no trace of oak. Far too many budget Chardonnay are produced with cheap oak alternatives like chips, staves or even chemically simulated extract to either mask the poor quality of the grapes with a blanket of oak or to try and fool us into thinking that the winery actually spent the money to age the wine in barrel despite this being financial impossible at this price-point. This offering is honest and straight forward.

Ok, yes, the finish is short and the depth rather thin, but the balance between the orchard fruit flavours and acidity works nicely and is unsullied by the taste of cheap oak, making this >$10 Chard very drinkable. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2017 Riesling - 89-90pts

SpearHead Winery 2017 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores

Cost: $20 + taxes

Alcohol: 12%

Production: 500 cases

Date Tasted: May 7th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A crisp and raw Riesling with a youthful and masculine bouquet of citrus fruit rinds, peach stones, stainless steel and light, unpasteurized honey aromas. The tart palate offers similar notes showing great consistency from the nose with plenty of tense, lemon/lime and green apple acidity and finishing dry despite the 8g/l of residual sugar. Lingering, lemon thyme and lime zest flavours last through to the next sip.

Could use another 6-12 months in bottle to settle down and integrate further. Drink late-2018-2025+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2017 Pinot Noir Rosé - 89pts

SpearHead Winery 2017 Pinot Noir Rosé (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $21 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 500 cases
Date Tasted: May 6th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A lovely, nectarine and rose water scented blush made of 100% Pinot Noir grapes using the traditional saignée method which 'bleeds' juice from the must after brief skin contact - hence the light pink hue and the kiss of tannin on the strawberry and nectarine flavoured, textured palate. Delicious! Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2017 Un-Oaked Chardonnay - 88pts

JoieFarm 2017 Un-Oaked Chardonnay (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $24.90 including taxes
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 655 cases
Date Tasted: May 2nd, 2018

Tasting Notes: Sourced from vineyards along the Skaha and Naramata benches, this un-manipulated Chardonnay offers plenty of Tropical fruit  aromas on the nose with baked lemon notes and a touch of kerosene in the background. The palate has a nice weight to it without any oak influence; just pure orchard and citrus fruit flavours with good acidity and a bit of lingering spice and lemon zest on the moderate-plus finish. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2017 A Noble Blend - 89pts

JoieFarm 2017 A Noble Blend (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB stores and VQA stores
Cost: $25.90 including taxes
Alcohol: 12.6%
Production: 5779 cases
Date Tasted: May 1st, 2018
@JoieFarm

Tasting Notes: JoieFarm's flagship blend of 49% Gewurztraminer, 32% Riesling, 9% Pinot Auxerrois and 4% Muscat sourced from Naramata Bench, Summerland and East Kelowna vineyards is decidedly dryer for the 2017 vintage with a refreshing and aromatic nose giving way to citrus-infused, mouth-watering palate. 

There is good complexity and texture on offer with layers of spices and herbs and exotic fruits beyond the upfront grapefruit and stonefruit aromas and flavours. Further development is possible, though, the lack of residual sugar may limit its potential (and its effectiveness at taming sun-drenched decks). Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca