Stoneleigh Vineyards 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) New Zealand
Availability: Widely available at BCLDB and private stores
Cost: $16-18 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: November 28th, 2019
Tasting Notes: A citrus fruit and Asian pear dominant nose with a supporting layer of mineral and pungent aromatic notes. Palate opens with some residual sugar and plump orchard fruit upfront, then finishes crisp and refreshing with a touch of spice and citrus peel lingering. ready to go now. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Stoneleigh Vineyards 2017 Pinot Noir (Marlborough) New Zealand
Availability: Widely available at BCLDB and private stores
Cost: $17-20 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: November 28th, 2019
Tasting Notes: A straight-forward Pinot Noir with a classic Marlborough nose of funk-meets-fragrance. Look for vibrant, raspberry seed and cherry aromas supported by earthy notes and a touch of cedar sap and green olive. Palate is a bit thin on complexity, depth and texture, though, the lively acid does provide some lift on the moderate finish. Simple, entry-level New Zealand Pinot for a Tuesday night. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Old Vines Foch Reserve (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $46.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 361 cases
Date Tasted: November 25th, 2019
Tasting Notes: Opens with a nose to dive deep into and stay awhile to explore around a little. You'll discover a seductive blend of Kirsch liqueur, cocoa nibs, sweet salami and the pleasing, familiar notes of Christmas cake with its dried, candied fruit. The dry palate is uber food-friendly with well-balanced acidity, mannered tobacco-leaf tannins and similar notes as the nose. Pair with braised venison or other gamey meats at your next special holiday dinner.
Now sealed with a Stelvin cap which will prolong the ageing process, but not completely stifle it. Ready to go now or hold for some development. Drink 2019-2025.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Stoneleigh Vineyards 2018 Pinot Noir Rosé (Marlborough) New Zealand
Availability: Widely available at BCLDB and private stores
Cost: $14-18 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: November 22nd, 2019
Tasting Notes: Subtle on the nose, this rosé,
produced from Pinot Noir grapes sourced from the Marlborough region, comes alive on the (slightly) effervescent and (mostly) dry palate which offers refreshing, food-friendly acidity and flavours of tart berries, citrus peel, minerals and juicy Asian pear. Ready to be enjoyed now with your favourite snack foods. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Old Vines Foch (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $25.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 2800 cases
Date Tasted: November 22nd, 2019
Tasting Notes: Be sure to take your time to appreciate the beautiful, feminine nose of this Marechal Foch and look for a harmonious blend of ripe, dark cherry fruit and savoury characters of vanilla mocha, anise, smoky spices, sweet prune and poppy seeds. A mouth-watering and dry palate follows offering a similar blend of flavours enhanced by tart red fruit, dried fruit notes and finished with dusty tannins. Ready to go now. Drink now-2023.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Pinot Noir (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 3400 cases
Date Tasted: November 18th, 2019
Tasting Notes: The quintessential BC Pinot Noir with hints of caramelized, BBQ Salmon skin notes supporting its classic pairing of ripe, brambly berries and savoury, cedar'n'herbs. Fresh, balanced and well structured with food-friendly acidity and medium body and tannins. Blended with 7% Gamay Noir contributing a little added dimension via a touch of dried fruit on the nose and palate. Drink now-2023.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 The Allison (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $24.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 1700 cases
Date Tasted: November 7th, 2019
Tasting Notes: A new addition to the Quails' Gate portfolio named for the restored heritage house on the winery's estate. This approachable, easy-to-like blend of 61% Syrah and 39% Cabernet Franc is warm and aromatic on the floral and spice-infused nose which is followed by a well-balanced, fruit-forward palate with dusty tannins and loads of feminine spice. Ready to go now. Drink now-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (Okanagan Valley) BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $34.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 1237 cases
Date Tasted: November 7th, 2019
Tasting Notes: Beautiful, deep aromas of dark fruit and warm oak greet you on the nose of this tasty Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from vineyards in the South Okanagan (a third) and the winery's estate in West Kelowna (two thirds). A grippy, slightly green and 'hot' palate follows with uber-dry, dusty tannins, familiar dark fruit and oak flavours with additional, savoury notes of licorice, dried herbs and a touch of mint.
Best served after another 1-2 years. Drink 2020-2025.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Merlot (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 15%
Production: 3785 cases
Date Tasted: November 5th, 2019
Tasting Notes: A dramatic, toasty-warm Merlot thanks to grippy, charred-oak tannins and a palate-coating level of alcohol (15%). A combination of savoury and fruit notes collide on the nose and palate. Look for black currant, wild berry and black cherry aromas and flavours contrasted by coffee grinds, licorice and tobacco. Ready to go now or hold for another 2-3 years with some mellowing of the tannins to be expected. Drink now-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
