River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Sauvignon Blanc - 89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Sauvignon Blanc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $21.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 250 cases
Date Tasted: August 29th, 2018
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: A pleasantly pungent, small-batch Sauvignon Blanc from Oliver-based River Stone Estate Winery, bursting with zesty, citrus'n'steel characters on the herbaceous, punchy nose and the textural, mouth-watering palate that explodes with bracing acidity (in the most appealing of ways).

Though in limited supply, the Sauv Blanc is always a stand-out of the River Stone portfolio. Ready to go now. Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Fairview Cellars 2017 Sauvignon Blanc - 88pts

Fairview Cellars 2017 Sauvignon Blanc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $20 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: August 30th, 2018
@FairviewCellars

Tasting Notes: BC Sauvignon Blanc range from bland to bracing and from pungent to pretty - and everywhere in-between. Fairview's 2017 edition of the ancient grape falls somewhere in the 'in-between'/'just right' area; not too acidic, not too stinky... and far from bland.

A mellow and balanced, orchard'n'tropical fruit flavoured Sauv Blanc witha pleasant, crispy edge of lemon peel and grapefruit that offsets the touch of palate rounding, residual sugar. This is the handsome, 40-year-old-man-with-his-shit-together of BC Sauvignon Blanc - not as flashy as the 20 or 30 somethings and not as flabby as the 60+ set.... 'just right'. Drink now-2020. 
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2015 Merlot - 90pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2015 Merlot (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $23.90

Alcohol: 15%

Date Tasted: August 25th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A full-bodied, ripe, berry-infused Merlot with a beautiful, feminine profile of spice and incense. Handles its 15% alcohol nicely thanks to the intensity of the fruit and the structure of fine tannins and effortless, blueberry acidity. Ready to go now with many years of life ahead. Drink now-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2017 Rosé - 88pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2017 Rosé (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $22 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.7%
Date Tasted: August 23rd, 2018

Tasting Notes: With the popularity of BC blush at an all-time high, one can't help but wonder if the genesis for this wine was the question "what are we going to do with all this Zweigelt?" Answer: try it as a rosé, (what do you have to lose?).

Turns out, it makes a pretty darn good rosé, with a nice juxtaposition of off-dry residual sugar, fresh, red berry fruit, light aromatics, bright, cran-apple acidity and a nice kick of minerals and bitter spices on the finish to balance it out. A fine BBQ blush for the dog days of summer. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca 

Chateau Des Charmes 2015 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling - 89pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2015 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $18.95
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: August 21st, 2018

Tasting Notes: A touch more mellow and less intense than the excellent 2014 vintage, yet, very similar in profile with some front-loaded residual sugar and sweet melon notes floating above the familiar lime'n'mineral backbone. A touch of pear and citrus fruit flavours linger on the balanced, moderate finish. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Nota Bene - 91-92pts

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

Availability: Sold out at the winery, though, private wine shops have it in stock
Cost: $59.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 21st, 2018

Tasting Notes: The 2016 vintage of the iconic, single-vineyard Nota Bene sticks with the recent Cab Sauv leading recipe, though, this year the final blend is nearly an even partnership with Merlot with Cabernet Franc playing a supporting, aroma-lifting role (43.5% CS, 40% M and 14.5% CF). 

Ready earlier than recent releases, this beautiful, fruit-forward wine boasts layers of dark fruit, licorice, sage, incense, vanilla, mocha, mint, toasted oak and earthiness on the developing bouquet and the well-integrated, berry-sweetened, long-lasting palate.

Further development is coming, but you can dive into this complex wine this year and over the following decade. Drink 2019-2026+
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2017 Semillon - 86pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2017 Semillon (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $18 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: August 19th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A rounded and full-ish version of the Bordeaux variety with ripe orchard fruit on the gentle nose and an RS-kissed palate with sweet nectarine, peach and citrus flavours. Finish is balanced but rather short with only a faint hint of mineral. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca 

Finca Decero 2014 Remolinos Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - 89pts

Finca Decero 2014 Remolinos Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Agrelo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: Special order, private wine stores
Cost: $23.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: August 20th, 2018

Tasting Notes: This dry, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has intense dark fruit and silky tannins with a touch of added depth from savoury, spice'n'cocoa powder notes and clean, wild berry acidity. Finishes a bit 'hot', not fully incorporating the 14.5% alcohol into the medium-plus bodied palate. Ready to go now. Drink 2018-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 St. David's Bench Vineyard Gewurztraminer - 90pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 St. David's Bench Vineyard Gewurztraminer (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $21.95
Alcohol: 12.6%
Production: 495 cases
Date Tasted: August 17th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A delicate, mineral-kissed Gewurztraminer from the winery's St. David's Bench Vineyard. Crisp and focused with classic exotic fruit and spice beautifully balanced by bright, citrus and orchard fruit characters. Moderate finish is nearly dry, so we're far from gooey Gewurz territory with this elegant release. Enjoy it in its youth. Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Pascual Toso 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon - 85pts

Pascual Toso 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipú District) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $15.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 16th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A competent Cabernet Sauvignon handled like a Malbec focusing mostly on the juicy, black fruit characters of the Bordeaux variety, though, not without some depth thanks to a smoky, coffee grind edge and leathery tannins on the finish. Ready to go now. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2017 Gewurztraminer - 86pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2017 Gewurztraminer - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $18 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.6%
Date Tasted: August 15th, 2018

Tasting Notes: This off-dry, fruit'n'spice Gewurztraminer is sourced from vineyards on the Golden Mile Bench in the Okanagan Valley and from vineyards near Cawston in the neighbouring Similkameen Valley (a 72/28 percent split respectively). Asian pear, lychee and pear notes lead the way on the easy-going nose and well-balanced palate where a touch of exotic spice lingers while apple and pear acidity help keep the gooey mouthfeel, mostly in-check and fluid. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Doña Paula 2017 Los Cardos Malbec - 87pts

Doña Paula 2017 Los Cardos Malbec  (Luján de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: Private stores like Everything Wine
Cost: $12.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 14th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Produced from high altitude vineyards in the Luján de Cuyo region of Mendoza, this 100% Malbec wine blends (somewhat) off-dry, ripe berry flavours with plenty of bright, pomegranate acidity and fine, lightly-smoked tannins to keep the overall balance dry and making it a great pairing for BBQ chicken or pork dishes. Look for light spice notes on the tasty, moderate finish. Excellent value. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Masi Tupungato 2015 Passo Doble - 87pts

Masi Tupungato 2015 Passo Doble (Valle De Uco) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12-15 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: August 9th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Opens with an appealing combination of smoked and spiced dark berries and Christmas cake candied fruit on the nose. This blend of Malbec and semi-dried Corvina Verenese grapes is generous and inviting with good consistency from the nose to the dry palate where a similar, smoky/spicy profile awaits with black plum and huckleberry fruit replacing the candied fruit notes. A nice alternative to over-extracted, over-sweet Malbecs in the same price-range. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Bodegas Luis Segundo Correas 2013 Valle Las Acequias Malbec - 86pts

Bodegas Luis Segundo Correas 2013 Valle Las Acequias Malbec (Mendoza) Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores and Everything Wine
Cost: $22.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 2nd, 2018

Tasting Notes: A dense wine, sourced from 85-year-old vines, this single-vineyard Malbec offers a maturing nose and palate with a profile of pruny-blackberries, sweet dates, black cherries, spiced vanilla and smoky, toasted oak. Overall balance sways a tad too far to the off-dry spectrum of fine Malbecs, yet, there is opulence here that will appeal to many. Pair with BBQued, fatty cuts of beef or pork. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca