IconScores.ca: August 2020

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Pinot Gris - 87pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $20 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.1%
Production: 293 cases
Date Tasted: August 10th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A clean and crisp, unoaked Pinot Gris with a focus on mouth-watering, orchard fruit flavours and aromas. Look for a medley of green and golden apples, citris fruit and plump, fleshy peache on the yeasty nose and the mineral-kissed palate. Refreshing for a hot Summer's day. Drink now-2022.

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2017 Merlot - 88-89pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2017 Merlot (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $28 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 451 cases
Date Tasted: August 10th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A masculine Merlot with an earthy, iron base and layers of cocoa nibs, black currant, vanilla, licorice and spices on the youthful nose and the uber-dry, dusty-tannin palate. Not quite ready, but nearly. If you can't wait another 1-2 years, then be sure to decant for several hours before enjoying with your lean beef or game dinner. Drink 2022-2025+.

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