Rust Wine Co. 2018 Rosé - 86pts

Rust Wine Co. 2018 Rosé (Cawston) Similkameen Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $22 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 224 cases (750ml), 120 cases (Magnums)
Date Tasted: June 27th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A blush of Cawston-sourced Merlot producing classic, Summer berry aromas and flavours with cran-apple acidity and texture and a touch of tannin from the skin contact during the crush. Nothing too complex and nothing out-of-place. A fine, versatile rosé for hot decks or a spicy bag of chips. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca 

Rust Wine Co. 2018 Gewurztraminer - 87pts

Rust Wine Co. 2018 Gewurztraminer (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $23 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: June 27th, 2019
@rustwine

Tasting Notes: A rich, off-dry, unctuous Gewurztraminer with hints of both orchard and tropical fruit notes throughout and the mouthfeel of ripe, mouthwatering, fleshy peaches. A touch of spice shows on the slightly short finish. Pair with spicy, Thai or Indian cuisine and enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

On a side note: Rust Wine Co is owned and operated by the Mt. Boucherie winery and shares many of the same vineyards for its wines. Pick-up a bottle of the Mt. Boucheries Gewurztraminer from the same vintage and open both for a fun comparison of how winemaking choices can produce distinct style differences with similarly farmed fruit.

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Gewurztraminer - 87pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Gewurztraminer - BC VQA

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.4%
Date Tasted: June 27th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Produced with fruit sourced from both the winery's Cawston and Golden Mile Bench vineyards, this Gewurztraminer presents a crisper, dryer and leaner expression of the Alsatian grape (especially in contrast with its sister-winery release from Rust Wine Co). Here the near off-dry balance is lively and mineral-y with a slightly effervescent mouthfeel and a focus more on orchard fruits; apples, pears, apricots and peaches. 

Namesake spice (gewurz) is also more present on the floral nose and the mouthwatering, citrus peel-kissed finish. Pair with a spicy fish curry or try a hard cheese platter. Ready to go now. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Rust Wine Co. 2018 Gamay - 89pts

Rust Wine Co. 2018 Gamay (Cawston) Similkameen Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $23 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 1250 cases
Date Tasted: June 26th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A beautifully balanced Gamay with both playful and substantive characters; candied fruits, tangy citrus peel, smoky violets, velvety red fruit, caramelized onions, Christmas cake spices, mild licorice and plenty of body and texture. Should make an excellent companion to Summer social fare, especially sweet'n'smoky ribs or BBQ chicken. Enjoy this beauty in its youth. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 St. David's Bench Vineyard Cabernet Franc - 88pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34.95
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 486 cases
Date Tasted: June 25th, 2019

Tasting Notes: An old school, old world Cabernet Franc, somewhat austere, though not void of fruit on its potpourri and oak-scented nose and its dry, dusty tannin and iodine-kissed palate. Pair with a lean'n'mean, rare tenderloin steak to match the wine's minerality  and showcase the charred, dark berry notes. Ready to go now or hold for 2-3 more years. Drink 2019-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Rust Wine Co. 2018 Chardonnay - 88pts

Rust Wine Co. 2018 Chardonnay (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $21 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 625 cases
Date Tasted: June 22nd, 2019

Tasting Notes: An un-oaked, yet, rounded, well-balanced Chardonnay sourced from the winery's Okanagan Falls vineyard showing solid orchard and citrus fruit throughout with a susurrus of aromatics and offering nice tension on the palate through to a crisp finish. Ready to go now and sealed with aStelvin cap to lock-in the freshness of the fruit and acidity. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2017 Tragically Vidal - 89pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2017 Tragically Vidal (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $17 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: June 13th, 2019
@Stagshollow

Tasting Notes: An off-dry, delicate, delight of a Summer Sipper, Stag's Hollow's Tragically Vidal is as playful and joyous as its colourful label suggests. Look for subtle, aromatic notes of blossoms and pitted fruits; nectarines, peaches and apricots supported by a touch of herbs and some light citrus notes.

Recent vintages of this wine have included Muscat but for the 2017 edition the winery has experimented, adding Rhone varietals with a final blend of 85.2% Vidal, 11.8% Orange Muscat, 2.6% Viognier and 0.5% Marsanne heightening the lusciousness of the lychee-kissed palate. Finish is moderately long and well balanced with tingling, citrus peel and spice flavours lingering briefly. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Sterling Vineyards 2016 Vintner's Collection Merlot - 85pts

Sterling Vineyards 2016 Vintner's Collection Merlot - California State

Availability: Direct from winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $19.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 12th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A juicy, ripe Merlot with blackberry, black plum and sweet cassis aromas and flavours with nothing really out-of-sorts, yet, disappointingly structured rather Apothic-y with too much RS and too little depth and length. There are better budget Merlots out there. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Charles Smith Wines 2016 The Velvet Devil - 86pts

Charles Smith Wines 2016 The Velvet Devil - Washington State

Availability: Direct from winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 11th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Opens with a warm embrace of uber-ripe blackberry and red currant fruit on the sensual nose and the slightly off-dry, slightly bright palate. Toasted oak notes support the juicy mid-palate, but disappear on the short finish. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Monte Creek Ranch 2018 Riesling - 88pts

Monte Creek Ranch 2018 Riesling (Kamloops) - BC VQA

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from winery here
Cost: $18.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.7%
Date Tasted: May 11th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A white gold coloured Riesling bursting with intense citrus and green apple flavours and acidity whilst off-dry levels of residual sugar (8.9 g/l) mount an counter offensive to bring balance to The Force, though, somewhat failing short... this is not a Riesling for the faint of heart. It's an adventure, one best attempted on a hot Summer's day.

Look for layered aromas and plenty of texture from the spent yeast and an overall effervescent-ness, making one think of slightly under-ripe peaches, torn from the vine, split apart and hurriedly munched as the juice spills down your arm. 

Consider pairing with a hadr white cheese like Le Gruyere. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

On a side note: The winery's website lists the 2016 vintage of this Riesling as a new release still, so it's not clear when this new vintage will become available.

Chateau Des Charmes 2018 Cuvée D'Andrée Rosé - 86pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2018 Cuvée D'Andrée Rosé (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $16.95
Alcohol: 12.7%
Production: 508 cases
Date Tasted:  June 10th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A refreshing, Pinot Noir-based rosé with a crisp, citrus-y bitterness to the palate with mouth-watering acidity and both the flavour and texture of ripe, fleshy plums. Look for additional red berry and rhubarb aromas and flavours with a touch of herbs and honeycomb notes supporting. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca