Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah - 90pts

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah (Cawston) Similkameen Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: November 21st, 2020

Tasting Notes: Sourced from the winery's Cawston vineyard in the Similkameen Valley, this is one of three Syrahs the winery makes and it's their most playful with uber-ripe, cherry, raspberry and plum fruit, Christmas Cake spices and candied fruits showing throughout. Palate's balance is just a tad sweet with the medium tannins and acidity unable to fully off-set the super-concentrated berry flavours. A touch of toasted oak and wild spice add depth and more food pairing options like game served with a fruit sauce. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2024.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah - 91pts

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: November 20th, 2020

Tasting Notes: One of three Syrahs that Rust Wine Co. produces, this one, sourced from the Golden Mile Bench, is the most masculine of the group with a nice balance between its dark fruit and savoury characters. 'Medium-plus' on all fronts; body, tannins, length and mouthfeel. Yet, there's amble generosity without weighting down your palate. Plenty of complexity on offer with aromas and flavours of baking spices, cured meats, dried rocks and salty tapenade. Ready to go now or hold for several more years. Drink 2020-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah - 92pts

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: November 20th, 2020

Tasting Notes: This Syrah, sourced from the Black Sage Bench, is the most well-rounded and impressive of the three Rust Wine Co. produce. A little more intense than its Golden Mile Bench cousin and more refined than its Similkameen Valley kin. It all seems to come together in this beautiful Syrah with excellent concentration on the ripe berry and potpourri scented nose and the long-lived, elegant, yet, bold palate. Classic Syrah characters are on offer here: dark and red fruits, white pepper and hints of mint and cola. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2024.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2017 Maximus - 91+pts

Cassini Cellars 2017 Maximus (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $44 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 15.3%
Production: 550 cases
Date Tasted: November 18th, 2020

Tasting Notes: The 2017 edition of the Maximus is a compilation of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 8% Malbec. As a wine built to last, at only 3 years of age its showing a youthful, brooding nose today which needs plenty of time to open up. Look for concentrated, ripe dark fruit like cassis, black cherry and sun-soaked blackberry aromas to be supported by subtle, toasted oak and blackened vanilla notes. Spices and oak show more prominently on the, otherwise, similarly-flavoured palate where youthful, grippy tannins and fresh acidity add plenty of structure and texture. Best to wait another year or two. Drink 2022-2027.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2016 Maximus - 91-92pts

Cassini Cellars 2016 Maximus (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Sold out. Look for the 2017 vintage direct from winery here 
Cost: $44 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 15.4%
Production: 550 cases
Date Tasted: November 15th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Both beautiful and brooding, the 2016 Maximus is now a year on from its release and still showing youthful vitality. Robust, minty Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead here, with supporting roles played by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec which add juicy, ripe, dark berry flavours and aromatic notes of incense, spa spice and a hint of cola. 14 months in 2 year old barrels (both French and American) have nicely fused the fruit and savoury elements while refining the tannins and mouthfeel to silky levels. This blend should last for many years in your cellar with some further refinement to come. Or, enjoy now with a long decant. Drink 2021-2026.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Bodegas Luzon 2018 Finca Luzon - 88pts

Bodegas Luzon 2018 Finca Luzon (Jumilla D.O.) Spain

Availability: Private stores like Everything Wine
Cost: $22-25
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: November 9th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Structured as an Old World, dry, savoury-first, wine made from Monastrell (Mourvedre) grapes sourced from vineyards in the Jumilla region of Spain, the overall profile, happily, isn't desolate of fruit, offering nice blue fruits on the pruny nose and the plum sauce-flavoured palate. Yet, it is the savoury, earthy notes of leather, oak, spice and sun-drenched rocks which linger and feature most prominently. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2016 Collector's Series Cabernet Franc - 93pts

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

Availability: Sold out at the winery. Winery site here
Cost: $40 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.7%
Date Tasted: November 9th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Cassini Cellars makes a number of wonderful, 'big, full-bodied reds from memorable Merlots to award-winning blends. Yet, the true star of the portfolio is this consistently exquisite, single-vineyard Cabernet Franc. The depth of flavour and refinement speaks to the vineyard practices and the spare-no-expense barrel program Cassini employs to near-perfection. 

Its trademark menthol and eucalyptus aromas and flavours are on show, in spades, supported by a plethora of blue fruit, toasted oak, spices and savoury notes on the generous, seductive nose and the well-balanced, elegant palate. Ready to go now, with some decanting. Drink 2021-2026.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2017 Cabernet Merlot - 88pts

Gold Hill Winery 2017 Cabernet Merlot (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.9%
Date Tasted: November 8th, 2020

Tasting Notes: This Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend offers a lively nose and palate of bright, blackberry, cherry and plum fruit with some dark, broody characters and light, floral notes adding some depth to the fruit-forward profile. Light tannins and lip-smacking acidity keeps the mouthfeel fresh and fluid, though, the finish looses its intensity quickly. Pair with a range of BBQ fare, but nothing too fatty or smoky. Drink now-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2017 Collector's Series Cabernet Sauvignon - 91pts

Cassini Cellars 2017 Collector's Series Cabernet Sauvignon (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Directly from the winery's site here
Cost: $36 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.7%
Date Tasted: November 6th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Seductive, dark and sexy, this is a Femme Fatale of a Cabernet with a developing bouquet of ripe cassis fruit, minty cocoa, sweet pipe smoke and light, perfume notes. A smooth palate follows with refined, elegant tannins, lingering spice and similar flavours - truly, quite impressive continuity from the nose. Ready to go now and should make a fine pairing for leaner cuts of beef or venison. Drink now-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Casa Santos Lima 2017 Red Blend - 88pts

Casa Santos Lima 2017 Red Blend Portugal (Lisboa) Portugal

Availability: Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $17-21
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: November 5th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Exceptional value on offer in this blend of multiple, native and international grapes - even with the crazy import taxes imposed in the BC market which can push this wine above $20. Easy-drinking thanks to its fruit-to-acid balance, subtle complexity and just enough tannic structure. Enjoy on its own or with cheaper cuts of beef. Drink now-2016.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Pascual Toso 2019 Toso Estate Malbec - 87pts

Pascual Toso 2019 Toso Estate Malbec  (Mendoza) Argentina

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB store
Cost: $11.99-14.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: October 30th, 2020

Tasting Notes: An extremely well-price, rustic Malbec with pruny berries, licorice, subtle oak and light savoury notes. Full-ish in body with lingering barrel smoke and joyful spices on the moderate-plus finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Blasted Church Vineyards 2018 Hatfield's Fuse - 86pts

Blasted Church Vineyards 2018 Hatfield's Fuse (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here. BCLDB stores
Cost: $16-20 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 7025 cases
Date Tasted: October 28th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A white blend of Germanic and French aromatic varietals (a whopping 11 grape varieties in total) with a pleasant, bright offering of orchard and citrus fruit supported by layers of spice and fleshy, grapiness. Very snack-food friendly. Drink now-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2016 The Aristocrat - 92pts

Cassini Cellars 2016 The Aristocrat (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 15.2%
Production: 300 cases
Date Tasted: December 4th, 2018

Re-Tasted: November 4th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Another stellar vintage of the complex, long-lasting, single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon known as The Aristocrat. Balanced and ripe, the 2016 shows excellent typicity for the label with telltale notes of mint and Fig Newton nicely integrated into the dark fruit and oak influence layers on the masculine, invigorating nose and the full-bodied, beautifully structured palate.

Would benefit from another 1-2 years in bottle to mature further. With more prominent tannins than its Collector's Series cousin, this Cab is ready to take on more marbled cuts of beef like a fine, charred, rib eye steak. Drink 2020-2026.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Re-Tasting Notes: Coming into its own just as its drinking window opens. Tannins have mellowed and integrated beautifully. Mint notes are still deliciously prominent with a touch of licorice and charcoal now showing on the finish.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2014 Grand Vin - 90pts

Gold Hill Winery 2014 Grand Vin (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $64.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 15.9%
Date Tasted: November 3rd, 2020

Tasting Notes: An intense, mature, Meritage blend featuring fully integrated, black and blue fruits, pretty aromatics and smooth, savoury notes. There is impressive, long-lived, lively acid on the lightly tannic palate which offers similar flavours as the nose. At already 6 years old and sealed with a synthetic cork, this wine won't likely develop further and should be enjoyed over the next 12-18 months. Drink now-2021.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2017 Quattro - 90+pts

Cassini Cellars 2017 Quattro (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34
Alcohol: 14.7%
Production: 500 cases
Date Tasted: November 2nd, 2020

Tasting Notes: What was once an entry-level blend for the Cassini portfolio, the Quattro has evolved into a robust, powerhouse of a wine; full-bodied, intense and dense. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot opens with concentrated dark fruit and berry liqueur aromas with a susurrus of licorice and anise notes. The seductive nose precedes an equally dense and food-friendly palate which showcases similar flavours and additional layers of savoury goodness; charred oak, black cherry and dark spices. Ready to go now or hold for further development. Drink 2021-2026+

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2016 Altitude - 90pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2016 Altitude (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%

Production: 320 cases
Date Tasted: October 4th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, Upper Bench's Altitude open with an elegant, refined nose of well-integrated, blue and dark fruits, sweet vanilla, oak spice and a hint of blood orange peel. The palate is bright and alert with prominent, blackberry acidity, medium tannins and, again, nicely integrated, ripe, dark fruits and savoury oak characters. Ready to go now and pair with a lean cut of beef of a vegetarian lasagna. Drink 2020-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Stones Throw - 89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Stones Throw (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $29.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14.4%
Date Tasted: September 23rd, 2020

@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: A masculine counterpart to the winery's more feminine Corner Stone, the Stones Throw is meaty and mineral blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot with layers of dark fruit, prickly pepper, capsecum, chewing tobacco, blackened vanilla and elegant oak. Pair with leaner cuts of meat to match the vein of iron that runs through this tasty, long-lasting wine. Drink now-2023. 

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Corner Stone - 90-91pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $38.90

Alcohol: 14.1%

Date Tasted: September 22nd, 2020

@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: A sensual, rounded and generous, Right Bank inspired blend (Merlot leading with lesser amounts of the remaining 4 Bordeaux reds) oozing with ripe, red and dark fruit, lightly toasted oak, warm vanilla mocha and aromatic spices on the feminine nose and maturing, toasty-tannin palate. Already approachable at 3 years of age, has the bones to age gracefully with some further development, if you're patient. Drink 2021-2026.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Cabernet Franc - 88-89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Cabernet Franc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $31.90

Alcohol: 13.1%

Date Tasted: September 19th, 2020

@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: The 2018 vintage of River Stone's Cabernet Franc has vegetal notes intertwined with lovely, floral and red currant aromas on its nose and its spice and wild berry textured palate. A touch of iodine and toasted oak lingers on the longe finish. Pair with a juicy, rare tenderloin and look for further integration down the road. Drink 2022-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2019 Pinot Gris - 88pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2019 Pinot Gris (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $20.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 258 cases
Date Tasted: September 17th, 2020
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: River Stone is a charming, family-owned and run Estate Winery just North of Oliver and produces amazingly consistent wines each vintage, no matter what Mother Nature throws their way. The house style of their Pinot Gris release is defined by a straightforward approach in the vineyard and cellar; good fruit, no oak, texture and body from lees contact and their choice of yeast. Nothing flashy, nothing trashy. Good, honest Gris just like the family that produced it. 

Ready to go now and sealed with a Stelvin cap to help lock in its refreshing, orchard-to-citrus fruit ratio. Drink now-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2018 Pinot Noir Cuvée - 91pts

SpearHead Winery 2018 Pinot Noir Cuvée (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 450 cases
Date Tasted: September 17th, 2020

Tasting Notes: SpearHead's flagship Pinot Noir is a barrel select blend of multiple clones and vineyard sites and checks all the right boxes for an outstanding BC Pinot Noir; brooding cherry notes, earth and forest tones, smoky tannins and wildberry acidity. Put this beauty down for 2 more years to further integrate and mature. Drink 2022-2028.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2019 Sauvignon Blanc - 89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $21.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.7%
Production: 555 cases
Date Tasted: September 16th, 2020
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: Having tasted this consistently well-produced Sauvignon Blanc since its inception, the two words that always pop up as notes are, 'pleasantly pungent' and the 2019 is no different, continuing the house style of punchy herbs, citrus zest, ripe melons and exotic, tropical fruit. Finishes dry with a tangy and crisp medley of lemon-lime, green apple, tin and honeydew melon flavours. Very refreshing and palate cleansing. Pair with sweet crab meat or something salty. Drink 2020-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2015 Cabernet Franc - 91pts

Gold Hill Winery 2015 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $34.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 15.9%
Date Tasted: September 14th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A supremely intense, hedonistic Cabernet Franc with loads of floral, spice and sweet earth notes on the nose and densely layered, concentrated red and blue fruit on the tobacco-flavoured, full-bodied palate. Slight, California Primitivo vibe without all the sweetness; just the right amount of extreme extraction to off-set the whopping, 15.9% alcohol. Smoky, cigar box and toasted spice notes linger on the long finish.

Unlike any other BC Cabernet Franc you're likely to find. Despite the bottle shot attached, the wine is sealed with a Stelvin cap enclosure. Ready to go now, but should hold for a few more years. Drink 2020-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2018 Chardonnay "Clone 95" - 89pts

SpearHead Winery 2018 Chardonnay "Clone 95" (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 

Cost: $30 + taxes

Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 576 cases

Date Tasted: September 14th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A blend of clone 95 Chardonnay grapes sourced from the Naramata Bench and the winery's home vineyard in East Kelowna, fermented and aged in oak (40% new) and allowed (or encouraged) to go through a secondary, malolactic fermentation. The resulting wine is crisp (as all Chardonnay should be), well-balanced, smooth and rich without ever feeling over-done or heavy. Look for both refreshing notes of acidic, orchard fruit and savoury, flavours of macadamia nuts and vanilla-kissed scones. 

Ready to go now, though, it should hold for 2-3 more years. Sealed with a Stelvin cap to lock-in freshness. Drink now-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2014 Syrah - 90pts

Gold Hill Winery 2014 Syrah (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $34.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 15.6%
Date Tasted: September 12th, 2020

Tasting Notes: This 2014 vintage Syrah from Gold Hill has aged nicely, still showing some years of service ahead with some potential for further development. Using a Stelvin enclosure on this robust, masculine wine has proven to be a wise decision. Look for spices, cured meats, olives and cherry cola aromas on the intense, dense nose. The equally dense palate that follows offers similar flavours with additional layers of vanilla, toasted oak and more prominent fruit; black raspberries, black cherries and red currant. Finish is long and uber spicy. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Merlot - 89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Merlot (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $25.90

Alcohol: 13.9%

Date Tasted: September 11th, 2020

Tasting Notes: This Oliver sourced Merlot opens with a lovely, expressive, spice'n'everything nice nose. These feminine characteristics are followed by a more masculine palate, not one void of fruit, but decidedly more firm and edgy with earthy tones, a touch of mineral and meaty, toasted oak tannins. Perfect for late Summer BBQs. Drink now-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2019 Rosé - 84pts

Gold Hill Winery 2019 Rosé (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.1%
Date Tasted: September 10th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A rosé produced using the traditional, saignée method from Cabernet Franc grapes which has produced a red fruit scented nose and similarly flavoured palate. Off-dry with orchard fruit acidity and a hint of minerals balancing the sweetness, but the overall profile is dominated by the lingering taste of alcohol. Pair with something spicy to cut the residual alcohol. Ready to go now. Drink now-2021.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2019 Pinot Gris - 88pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Pinot Gris (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $18.99-19.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 1362 cases
Date Tasted: August 27th, 2020

Tasting Notes: An aromatic, partially oaked (10% in 2 year old barrels) Pinot Gris with white blossom notes prettying-up the white peach-scented nose. Crisp and refreshing on the nearly-dry, medium bodied palate with citrus and orchard fruit flavours. To be enjoyed in its youth. Drink now-2022.

  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Riesling - 88pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Riesling (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $21.74 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 398 cases
Date Tasted: August 25th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Not as sweet as recent vintages (2019 has 7.9 g/l), yet, still a fully, off-dry Riesling and, as always, cheese-friendly. Well balanced with a touch of minerality throughout and a profile of crisp citrus and exotic fruits. Ready to go now. Drink now-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2019 Chardonnay - 85pts

Gold Hill Winery 2019 Chardonnay (Peachland) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: August 26th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Sourced from very young vines in Peachland, this light-weight Chardonnay presents a tangy-peach profile on the muted nose and on the mouth-watering palate where light mineral and a hint of bitter lemon rind notes linger briefly. An un-oaked Chardonnay for a hot deck and fresh salads. Drink now-2022.

  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2018 Merlot Cabernet Franc - 88pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2018 Merlot Cabernet Franc (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $18-20 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.1%
Date Tasted: August 24th, 2020

Tasting Notes: An impressively well-priced blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc offering a fruity, perfumed nose of ripe, blueberry and red currant fruit, pencil shavings and sweet incense. Medium-bodied palate is a tad 'hot' with 14.1% residual alcohol and a slightly, rustic feel, but absolutely packs a flavourful punch of spices, dark fruits and black licorice. Ready to go now, so enjoy this wine as you wait for your cellar stars to develop. Drink 2020-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Viognier - 88pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Viognier (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.57-21.74 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.6%
Production: 120 cases
Date Tasted: August 13th, 2020

Tasting Notes: The first Viognier release for Upper Bench which follows the playbook used for most of their white wines; a long, cool, stainless steel ferment with a focus on a crisp, vibrant expression of the varietal, which, in the case of this Northern Rhone variety, comes with some natural richness, a touch of minerality and a lovely profile of Tropical and Melon fruit on the nose and palate. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Pinot Blanc - 88pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Pinot Blanc (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $18 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 430 cases
Date Tasted: August 11th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A dry, crisp Pinot Blanc blended with 5% Muscat which shows on the nose as a touch of sweet, grapiness on the, otherwise, pear, apple and citrus dominated nose. Palate is vibrant and mouth-watering with racy, peach and green apple acidity and a hint of mineral flavours. Finishes long with lingering citrus zest and a light spice. Think lemony chicken dishes or hearty, vegetarian stews. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca