KWV Winery 2017 Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - 87pts

KWV Winery 2017 Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $15.99-18.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: December 10th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Dusty, smoky and very well priced, this is a savoury Cabernet Sauvignon with plenty of herbs and spices, but not completely void of fruit thanks to a vein of toasted black fruit running through the feminine nose and dry palate. Pair with smoky'n'sweet dried meats or a charcuterie plate. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Fairview Cellars 2009 The Wrath - 93pts

Fairview Cellars 2009 The Wrath (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here. Private wine shops
Cost: $65
Alcohol: 14.6%
Production: 250 cases
Date Tasted: November 23rd, 2011
Re-Tasted: December 8th, 2019

Tasting Notes: This single vineyard, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine comes from a Golden Mile Bench property separate from the Fairview Cellars home vineyard. Intense, brooding and fantastically complex, this wonderful wine offers loads of dark fruit and French oak at the core of its flavour profile. Big tannins, big mouth feel, big nose, big presence... big everything! Yet, amazingly the wine remains refined and very smooth. Well balanced and beautifully long. For fun story behind the name and label is covered here.

Enjoy this wine after a couple of years of bottle aging. Drink late-2013-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Re-Tasting Notes: At tens years of age this beautiful, one-off release is still going strong with several years of peak drinking ahead. Today, seductive aromas and flavours of menthol and eucalyptus have developed adding more complexity to the already brooding profile. Anyone who thinks Cabernet Sauvignon can't be ripened or built to age in BC must be poured a taste of this special wine. But just a small pour - save the rest for us. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Anciano 2015 Old Vines Garnacha - 89pts

Anciano 2015 Old Vines Garnacha (Calatayud DO) Aragon - Spain

Availability: Private wine shops and BCLDB stores
Cost: $23.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 15%
Date Tasted: December 8th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A modern-ish bottling of Garnacha sourced from 35 year old vines and spending far less time in oak when compared to the winery's other wines which are aged for 7 and 10 years. Though textured and moderately intense, this Garnacha sits beautifully in the mouth with just a touch of 'hot' alcohol notes. Look for a pleasant combination of dusty red fruit, subtle prunes and plenty of spicy, sweet earth aromas and flavours. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2022
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes N/V Brut Sparkling Wine - 89pts

Chateau Des Charmes N/V Brut Sparkling Wine (Niagara-on-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25.95 (750ml) or $15.95 (375ml)
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: December 7th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A traditional method Brut with fine, persistent beads, produced from Chardonnay and Pinto Noir grapes sourced from vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula by Chateau Des Charmes. Offers a nice balance between its tangy citrus and ripe, orchard fruit characters on the peaches'n'cream nose and the yeasty, biscuit-infused, slightly off-dry palate. Finish is lively and refreshing with lingering, steely minerality and crisp citrus. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca