Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Syrah - 88pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Syrah - BC VQA

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $27.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.1%
Date Tasted: June 29th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A 'Bristol Cream' Syrah; smooth and complex with aromas and flavours of milky black cherry, tangy black raspberry, green peppercorn, spicy tannins and light, cola-licorice notes. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2023.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca 

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Pinot Noir - 88pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Pinot Noir (Cawston) Similkameen Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $24.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: June 29th, 2020

Tasting Notes: The 2018 edition of Mt. Boucherie's Pinot Noir is a mouthful! Showcases a classic, BC Pinot profile of nicely integrated, spiced fruit and earth characters on the pretty, expressive nose and the robust, slightly 'hot' palate. Sourced from a single vineyard near Cawston in the Similkameen Valley, this is a BBQ-friendly Pinot that will match West Coast cuisine, especially, smoked salmon dishes. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2023.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca 

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2019 Riesling - 87pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2019 Riesling (Cawston) Similkameen Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.8%
Date Tasted: June 25th, 2020

Tasting Notes: An off-dry Riesling sourced from the winery's Lazy River vineyard near Cawston. It opens with a subtle nose of white peach, Bosc pear, raw honey and candied lime aromas followed by a light-ish bodied, yet, lengthy palate of mineral-y orchard fruit and sweetened citrus flavours. Pair with roasted chicken or pork. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2016 Meritage - 92pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2016 Meritage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $50 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: June 24th, 2020
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: Burrowing Owl's Meritage is a blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec sourced from the winery's Oliver and Osoyoos vineyards. Once each component is hand-harvested they ferment in barrel and spend 14 months ageing in oak separately prior to the assemblage whereupon the wine is then aged a further 4 months in oak before bottling. Its a patient, ever-adapting process to deliver the best expression of the vintage whilst keeping with the house style of big, yet, supremely approachable, rounded red wines bursting with New World, bold fruit characters, supporting, savoury notes and feminine, sweet spices.

A pretty and elegant wine to open now or to put away for a rainy day within the next 3-4 years. Enjoy with nicely salted, leaner cuts of beef. Drink 2020-2024.

- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2017 Summit - 92pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2017 Summit - BC VQA

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $59.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.6%
Date Tasted: June 21st, 2020

Tasting Notes: The Summit is a proprietary blend of 43% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah and 2% Malbec sourced from what the winery considers its best blocks in its Okanagan and Similkameen Valley vineyards. Both generous and layered on the developing bouquet with a sensual, feminine profile of ripe berries, violets, baking spices and sweet, pipe tobacco. The approachable palate that follows showcases a lot of the same flavours as the nose, framing them with seamless, taste-bud activating, berry acidity and refined tannins. Finishes long and well-balanced. Ready to go now or hold for another 3-4 years. Drink 2020-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca 

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2019 Pinot Gris - 88pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2019 Pinot Gris (Cawston) Similkameen Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $19.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.3%
Date Tasted: June 18th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Despite being one of the Province's oldest wineries, Mt. Boucherie is still looking at new ways of producing old favourites and striving to deliver better and better wines. This 2019 edition does just that and thanks to an evolved Pinot Gris program which includes more skin contact after the crush imparting a light, pinky-brass hue and, more importantly, adding texture and tension that was missing from the 2018 vintage. There is also added depth and length to the new release which widens its food pairing option beyond salads and snacks. Roasted turkey and pork are on the table

Look for approachable, orchard fruit and a hint of cherry on the nose with pear, peach, stainless steel and spice flavours following on the mouth-watering, tangerine-acidity palate. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2019 Rosé - 88pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2019 Rosé (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $21.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.6%
Date Tasted: June 16th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Produced as a field blend of Pinot Noir and Zweigelt grapes sourced from the winery's West Kelowna estate vineyard, this blush offers a tasty story arc starting with a delicate, aromatic nose of rose water, red fruit and citrus followed by a palate of up-front, sweet strawberry and mineral-y grapefruit flavours, finishing dry in a satisfying climax of mouth-watering, citrus and white peach acidity with a touch of spice lingering like a foreshadowed sequel until the next sip. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca 

Calliope Wines 2018 Figure 8 Red - 87pts

Calliope Wines 2018 Figure 8 Red - BC VQA

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $19.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 7th, 2020

Tasting Notes: For an entry-level red blend, the Figure 8 Red offers impressive density on the dark fruit, spice and black licorice scented nose. The medium-plus bodied, slightly smoky palate is food-friendly with bright, mixed-berry acidity which cleanses the mouth between bites and should pair nicely with BBQ favourites. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Calliope Wines 2018 Figure 8 White - 88pts

Calliope Wines 2018 Figure 8 White - BC VQA

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 1st, 2020

Tasting Notes: A well-balanced and well-priced blend of aromatic varieties sourced from the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys, offering a harmonious mix of floral and orchard fruit aromas on the pleasant nose and complimentary flavours of melons, citrus and stonefruit on the (slightly) off-dry palate. That kiss of sugar helps counterbalance the kiwi and lemon acidity on the moderate finish where a touch of spice, steel and peach linger. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Calliope Wines 2019 Rosé - 85pts

Calliope Wines 2019 Rosé - BC VQA

Availability: Not yet released
Cost: $17-18 + taxes (est)
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: June 1st, 2020

Tasting Notes: A pleasant, easy-going blush with no element out-of-place, nor terribly memorable either. Typical, medley of red fruit notes throughout with a refreshing, kick of green apple acidity on the well-mannered, medium-ish bodied palate. Ready to go now and should pair nicely with a wide range of BBQ favourites. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Calliope Wines 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - 87pts

Calliope Wines 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - BC VQA

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 31st, 2020

Tasting Notes: This well-priced Sauvignon Blanc offers just the right amount of 'stink' on its expressive nose layered with green apple, raw honey and lemongrass aromas. Refreshing with racy acidity and crisp, Tropical and citrus fruit flavours. Bitter lemon zest notes and a touch of spice linger on the finish. A great pairing for oysters and other shellfish. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca