Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2016 Fortified Vintage Foch - 88pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2016 Fortified Vintage Foch (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $25.99 + taxes (375ml)
Alcohol: 18%
Production: 507 cases
Date Tasted: December 20th, 2018

Tasting Notes: On the spectrum of Port-style wines, the Quails' Gate Vintage Foch, made from select Marechal Foch grapes and then fortified with grape brandy, falls towards the fruity end of the spectrum, away from the nutty, aged Tawny Ports. Raisin-y cherries and Fig Newton cookies dominate the nose while the full-bodied, yet, fluid palate follows with flavours reminiscent of the bouquet and with added cocoa powder and blood orange notes.

Pair with a semi-sweet desert or simply a plate of dark chocolate pieces. Ready to go now or hold for another 3-4 years. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2015 Vidal Icewine - 91pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2015 Vidal Icewine (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Sold out
Cost: $27.95 (200ml)
Alcohol: 9.5%
Date Tasted: December 20th, 2018

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. An extra year of bottle age has enhanced the golden-brassy hue of this unctuous beauty from Chateau Des Charmes. This low-alcohol, Vidal ice wine is bursting with honey-drenched, apricot and nectarine aromas and flavours. Fresh peach acidity tames the sweetness on the finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2018-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Tempranillo - 89pts

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

Availability: Wine club only. Visit winery website here
Cost: $59.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: December 14th, 2018

Tasting Notes: The Spanish variety Tempranillo is the third most planted grape in the world but is not widely grown in BC. In some of the warmer, dryer pockets of the Southern Okanagan it is popping up a little more frequently as wineries experiment with purchased grapes from the few established Tempranillo vineyards or with their own plantings.

The Black Hills example is a medium-everything wine with mannered tannins, acidity and intensity - well balanced, to be sure, and never showy. The nose and palate play host to a sensual ballet of blue fruit and spice aromas and flavours playing off one another, enhancing the experience. Pepper and a touch of charred oak linger in the long finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Ipso Facto - 89pts

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

Availability: Sold out
Cost: $49.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: December 11th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A new addition to the Black Hills portfolio, the Ipso Facto is a aromatic, feminine and hedonistic, Syrah dominant blend with 25% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon contributing some mid-palate body, mixed-berry notes and a touch of texture to an otherwise, low-tannin, ultra-smooth wine. Look for some sun-warmed, super-ripe, black cherry fruit throughout, with white pepper spice and roasted capsicum notes lingering on the moderate, plump finish. Structured to be enjoyed now with lean, rare cuts of beef. Drink 2019-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2016 Collector's Series Cabernet Sauvignon - 90pts

Cassini Cellars 2016 Collector's Series Cabernet Sauvignon (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Not yet released. Winery site here
Cost: $TBD
Alcohol: 14.7%
Date Tasted: December 5th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A ripe and perfumed Cabernet Sauvignon. Mellow and feminine with some lush, blue and dark fruit aromas mingling, gently, with aromatic high notes and a kiss of toasty oak on the nose. Tannins are fairly mellow on the dry, yet, juicy palate with good continuity of flavours from the nose and with nicely integrated alcohol. Cocoa nibs and a touch of flat spice linger on the long finish. 

Ready to go now and should make a fine pairing for leaner cuts of beef or venison. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Cailleteau Gamay Nouveau - 88pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Cailleteau Gamay Nouveau (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $19.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 180 cases
Date Tasted: December 2nd, 2018

Tasting Notes: With a little more perceptible fruit on the nose and palate, this year's Cailleteau is a delightful, well-balanced ode to Beaujolaise Nouveau with a profile of herbs, loose leaf tea and both dried and candied red fruits. 

A fine pairing for most of your holiday season comestibles, from meaty appetizers to roasted birds and even deserts like Christmas cake. Drink now.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca