IconScores.ca: 2022

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Cabernet Sauvignon - 88pts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Cabernet Sauvignon (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: November 11th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A dark and broody Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the highest altitude vineyard in Oliver, Quails Wayside. This inky wine is dark in every way from the colour to the black fruit and charred oak on the nose and through to the similarly-flavoured palate enhanced with more darkness; blackened spices and charcoal tannins. There's a Lars von Trier, relentlessly dark quality at work here that won't appeal to those who want more of an approachable, robust-yet-refined approach to Cabernet Sauvignon, but, that style is hard to consistently produce in BC. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2025.

JoieFarm 2020 A Noble Blend - 89pts

JoieFarm 2020 A Noble Blend (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB stores and VQA stores
Cost: $24 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.6%
Date Tasted: August 24th, 2022
@JoieFarm

Tasting Notes: Though best served chilled to highlight its crispness and texture, this is a wine that can sit in your glass and evolve. The pleasant aromatics work at any temperature but the palate grows more exotic as it warms, mixing stone fruit and citrus characters with lush, Tropical fruit. Spice lingers on the lemon peel-kissed finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2024.

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Syrah - 91pts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Syrah (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: October 21st, 2022

Tasting Notes: A beautifully scented, bright'n'bold Syrah from Oliver and Penticton sourced fruit offering a gorgeous, feminine nose of sweet spices, incense, cherry cola, cherry nibs and violet aromas followed by a textured palate of dark berries, cola, anise, cracked pepper and iron flavours. A blend of 92% Syrah and 8% Viognier, this is a wine to pair with leaner meets like beef tenderloin or seared tuna. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2025.

Gold Hill Winery 2020 Charisma Cabernet Merlot - 84pts

Gold Hill Winery 2020 Charisma Cabernet Merlot (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: October 11th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A bold and bright, red blend (specifics withheld) with intense, yet, shallow aromas of dark fruit and oak followed by a mouth-watering palate of similar intensity and depth. There are better options in the plentiful Cab-Merlot, entry red blend market. Or, try one of the winery's signature red wines: Gold Hill Winery 2018 Merlot or Gold Hill Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc. Drink now-2023.

Gold Hill Winery 2016 Grand Vin - 89pts

Gold Hill Winery 2016 Grand Vin (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $65 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.4%
Date Tasted: October 6th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Marketed as the winery's 'flagship wine', the Grand Vin is meant to represent Gold Hill's highest achievement in winemaking but sometimes the individual parts shine brighter than the whole and that is the case with this Meritage blend when compared to some of their single-varietal bottlings of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Overall, there's lots to like from the layers of red and dark berry fruit on the nose and palate to the lovely, smokey notes that show throughout. Palate sweetness is mostly balanced by the plentiful, wild berry acidity and the dusty, fine tannins, but not entirely. Lacking complexity and longevity for the price point, this wine has already peaked and should be consumed by 2023. Drink now.

Gold Hill Winery 2018 TerreLab Tempranillo - 89pts

Gold Hill Winery 2018 TerreLab Tempranillo (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $35.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.3%

Production: 50 cases
Date Tasted: October 4th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Tempranillo will never become a signature grape of the Okanagan Valley, there's just too little of it and the name recognition is low but it does do well in certain areas and can produce some memorable, small-batch releases like this tasty example from Gold Hill. Both juicy and savoury with plenty of ripe cherry and plum notes pairing nicely with sweet tobacco, tomato and spices. Lots of sweet fruit and spice flavours linger on the low-tannin finish making this a nice pairing for anything drenched in sweet'n'spicy, BBQ sauce. Drink now-2023.

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Cabernet Franc - 89pts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Cabernet Franc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: October 3rd, 2022

Tasting Notes: An aromatic, food-friendly Cabernet Franc whose grapes were sourced from two distinctly different vineyards outside Oliver; the elevated Quails' Wayside vineyard West of the city and the winery's own Deadman Lake vineyard towards Osoyoos Lake in the South. Lots to like here as a pleasant, feminine nose of violet, blossom and ripe, wild berry aromas is followed by a vibrant palate where the wild berry theme continues in the form of lively acidity and flavours of herb-infused fruit. Oak treatment seems spot-on for the medium-bodied weight, light tannins and the lip-smacking finish. Drink 2022-2024.

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Pinot Noir - 88pts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Pinot Noir (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: October 1st, 2022

Tasting Notes: An unrefined, opaque Pinot Noir with subtle layers of cherry, wild sage and sweet herbs on the compelling, earthy nose. The juicy palate offers more prominent fruit with flavours of black raspberries, plums and black cherries supported nicely by the presence of lightly toasted oak. A touch more acid would do wonders to the overall balance, but there's plenty to enjoy, on its own or paired with Thanksgiving turkey. Drink 2022-2024.

Gold Hill Winery 2020 Charisma Malbec - 85pts

Gold Hill Winery 2020 Charisma Malbec (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: September 30th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Opens with a cheerful, fruit-forward nose of mixed berries and cherry aromas. This is followed by an under-ripe, medium-bodied palate of green-ish, dusty tannins and flavours of tart blueberries, tomato stock, herbs and oak chips. Pair with tomato-based stews. Drink now-2023.

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Riesling - 89pts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Riesling (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26 + taxes
Alcohol: 11%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: September 27th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A vibrant and well-balanced Riesling with an expressive nose of pineapple, nectarine and unpasteurized honey aromas followed by an off-dry, yet, dry-finishing palate with similar fruit flavours and additional notes of tangy peach, lemon-lime and a hint of ginger. A refreshing wine to be served on its own or as a nice counter-balance to hard, white cheeses like Gruyère. Drink 2022-2024+.

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Charisma Pinot Gris - 86pts

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Charisma Pinot Gris (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $21.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12%

Date Tasted: September 26th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A straight-forward, pleasantly crisp, Pinot Gris with no oak influence and citrus and stonefruit characters throughout. There's a hint of gripiness on the moderate finish due to citrus rind flavours or a touch of grape skin tannins. Should pair nicely with salads and a hot deck. Drink now-2023.

Gold Hill Winery 2018 Syrah - 89pts

Gold Hill Winery 2018 Syrah (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $42.99

Alcohol: 15%

Date Tasted: September 26th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Intensely aromatic and dense on the nose with concentrated, black cherry, violet, lavender and blackened spice aromas. Equally intense and concentrated on the dry, full palate where high levels of blood orange acidity and bold, blackened tannins make this Syrah less of an elegant, standalone sipper and more of a fancy, accompagnement to your favourite BBQ meats. Still tasting youthful and fresh at 4 years of age due to the Stelvin enclosure. Should hold for 3-4 more years but don't expect much development. Drink 2022-2026.

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Charisma Pinot Noir Rosé - 86pts

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Charisma Pinot Noir Rosé (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $21.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12%

Date Tasted: September 8th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A vibrant and refreshing rosé made from Pinot Noir grapes. Classic red fruit aromas grace the herb-encrusted nose while the watery, mouth-watering palate offers subtle flavours of cran-apple, steel and white peaches. A nice, Summer drink. Drink now-2023.

SpearHead Winery 2020 Golden Retreat Vineyard Pinot Noir - 89pts

SpearHead Winery 2020 Golden Retreat Vineyard Pinot Noir (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $38 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 506 cases
Date Tasted: September 23rd, 2022

Tasting Notes: Sourced from a vineyard in Summerland, the Golden Retreat Pinot Noir is the art-school attending cousin to the classically training Saddle Block label. More quirky and outspoken but perhaps with a little less depth for this 2020 release. Sour plum and cherry notes throughout with brambly acidity, dusty tannins and earthy chocolate and spices in supporting rolls on the feminine nose and boisterous palate. Ready to go now or hold for 2-3 years. Drink 2022-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2020 Saddle Block Pinot Noir - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2020 Saddle Block Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $38 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 443 cases
Date Tasted: September 23rd, 2022

Tasting Notes: Keeps with the label's style of being the earthiest Pinot Noir in the winery's portfolio of single-vineyard bottlings. The 2020 Saddle Block offers the comfort of earth and forest notes beautifully supported by rich, pruny fruit and incense on the pleasant, elegant nose. A dry, medium-everything palate follows bringing similar flavours and layers of textures from dark chocolate tannins to Christmas spices to tangy, dried-cranberries. Vanilla and spice linger on the finish. Ready to go now or hold for 3-4 more years. Drink 2023-2026.

Wild Goose Vineyards 2020 Riesling - 87pts

Wild Goose Vineyards 2020 Riesling (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $23 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.6%
Date Tasted: September 14th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Sourced from winery's 37-year-old Riesling vines on their Okanagan Falls vineyard, this wine offers a subtle expression of the variety on the nose with a combination of peach pit and other stone fruit aromas and light, joyful aromatic notes. The star here is the slightly, off-dry palate with lots to enjoy from tangy, fresh peach acidity to playful, lemony-spices and a touch of herbs. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2024.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Athene - 89-91pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Athene (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: September 11th, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: A blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon (52/48) sourced from the winery's Black Sage Bench vineyard, the Athene is an uber-dark and brooding wine with lovely eucalyptus notes adding levity the dark fruit, black pepper and toasted oak scented nose.

The palate delivers great continuity, offering a similar flavour profile with plenty of mouth-watering, balsamic acidity and temperamental tannins in need of a nap (cellar time). Ready to go now (with a pairing of dark chocolate) if you want something fairly raw and gnarly, but best to wait another 2+ years for added development and integration. Drink 2025-2028.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 20219 Viognier - 89pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Viognier (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here (new vintage available)
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 31st, 2022

@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: A pleasantly aromatic and vibrant Viognier with a nose that offers blossom, melon, Asian pear and a medley of orchard fruit followed by a mouth-watering, full-ish palate with similar flavours and an impressive wave of spice and citrus on the bright finish. Ready to go now thanks to 3 years of ageing. Drink 2022-2023.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Syrah - 90pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery and private wine shops
Cost: $35 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: August 31st, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: A cherry Coke-scented, youthful Syrah with black cherry, cola, black plum and black pepper notes leading the way while aromas of toasted oak and charred meat play a supporting role. Sourced from the winery's vineyards in Oliver and Osoyoos, the 2020 Syrah is dense and meaty with a rustic, iron and charred-oak edge to its cherry cola'n'spice flavoured, dry palate. Should be used to dress-up cheaper cuts of meat with nicely charred fat and big, bold sauces. Ready to go now or hold for 2-3 years. Drink 2022-2026.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Chardonnay - 89pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here upon release
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 25th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A peaches'n'cream styled Chardonnay with a lovely nose delivering, fresh stonefruit, ripe melon, Golden apple and warm bread aromas. Stonefruit and melon are most prominent on the well-balanced, full-ish palate made pleasantly tangy thanks to copious amounts of citrus acidity. Oak influence is deliciously employed throughout this food-friendly, full-yet-refreshing Chardonnay which should be enjoyed in its youth. Drink now-2024.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Merlot - 90pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Merlot (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $32 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 23rd, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: The Burrowing Owl Merlot is back to its intense, yet, elegant self with the newly released 2020 vintage which elevates the label's rich'n'racy style to more familiar heights. Always a beautiful blend of blackened berries, licorice-spiced oak and punchy acidity, the 2020 offers more depth and length on the palate and finish with added notes of eucalyptus, cooking spice and iron. Ready to go now thanks to fine, supportive tannins and a well-integrated flavours. Drink 2022-2026.

Gold Hill Winery 2021 TerreLab Tempranillo Rosé - 86pts

Gold Hill Winery 2021 TerreLab Tempranillo Rosé (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.4%

Production: 40 cases
Date Tasted: August 8th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A mellow and mineraly blush made from Tempranillo grapes sourced from the winery's Golden Mile Slope home vineyard. Subtle, red fruit notes grace the floral and steel scented nose. The dry palate offers nice, food-friendly acidity and continues the reserved, subtle presentation of light, red fruit and mineral characters. Drink now-2023.

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Cabernet Franc Rosé - 88pts

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Cabernet Franc Rosé (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: August 16th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A big, high-glycerol blush with a touch of pruny notes on the notes. Not the typical opening line of a review for a successful rosé, yet, that's exactly what this Cabernet Franc based wine is. The balance skews towards refreshing with a nice amount of fresh, cranberry acidity keeping the residual sugar and alcohol in check. There's also a touch of spice and tannin on the finish which should help this wine pair with BBQ meats and side dishes. Drink now-2024.

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Sauvignon Blanc - 88pts

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 15th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A ripe Sauvignon Blanc with plenty of subtle layers of passionfruit, citrus rind, bell pepper and stainless steel on the otherwise stonefruit-leading nose. Crisp and mouth-watering on the similarly stonefruit-flavoured palate with a touch of refreshing tartness and grape skin notes on the medium-plus finish. Ready to go now with your favourite seafood dishes like shrimp alfredo pasta. Drink now-2024.

Gold Hill Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc - 90pts

Gold Hill Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from winery here
Cost: $42.99
Alcohol: 14.1%
Date Tasted: August 12th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Already peaking at 5 years of age, this is a refined, yet, intense Cabernet Franc with an expressive nose of crushed blossoms, violets, vanilla and lots of brambly fruit. Smooth on the palate, this medium-tannin wine from the newly designated Golden Mile Slope region of the Southern Okanagan offers layers of ripe, verging-on-pruny fruit and elegant, savoury flavours without ever feeling heavy or over extracted. Ready to go now as the aging has been done for you by the winery. Drink 2022-2025.

Gold Hill Winery 2018 Merlot - 92pts

Gold Hill Winery 2018 Merlot (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from winery here
Cost: $42.99
Alcohol: 15.3%
Date Tasted: August 12th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A big Merlot with a beautiful, intense nose of ripe, mixed-berries and rich, savoury notes offering impressive depth and opulence. The intensity continues on the plump, high-alcohol palate, though, the luscious layers of plum, black cherry, mocha, toasted oak and cigar box keep the balance in check and the finish tasting smooth where refined tannins and a touch of spice linger. Ready to go now as your high-tannin reds mellow in the cellar. Drink 2022-2028.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2021 Rosé - 92pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2021 Rosé (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 26th, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: A sublime, deceptively simple blush carefully constructed by a combination of fruit sourced from multiple Southern Okanagan sites and with the use of multiple rosé techniques. A blend of 93% Cabernet France and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, the majority of the Franc is purpose picked for this wine and spends 6 hours on the skins before pressing leaving a delicate, gentle pink hue and a romantic, aromatic nose.

The palate offers everything you would hope to get out of a blush wine with excellent balance of delicious red fruit, vibrant citrus rind, light tannin and effortless acidity. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2023.

Chateau Haut-Bergey 2012 Grand Vin - 89pts

Chateau Haut-Bergey 2012 Grand Vin (Pessac-Leognan) Bordeaux - France

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $40-50
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: July 24th, 2022

Tasting Notes: At 10 years of age, the 2012 Haut-Bergey has developed lovely, dense, prune and eucalyptus notes on the dark fruit nose which carry through to the peaking palate. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot with, predictably, mellowed tannins and acid. A well-balanced, albeit, shorted finish completes the sip down memory lane. Drink now-2023.

Bodegas Luzon 2020 Las Hermanas Monastrell - 88pts

Bodegas Luzon 2020 Las Hermanas Monastrell (Jumilla DO) Spain

Availability: BCLDB stores and private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $13-16
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: July 24th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Ripe and fruity on the nose with characters of dried, candied fruit, spicy, toasted oak and intense florals. Palate is a little rough in the tannin department, but overall, absolutely incredible value with excellent balance and intensity. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2023.

SpearHead Winery 2020 Saddle Block Chardonnay - 88pts

SpearHead Winery 2020 Saddle Block Chardonnay (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 14%

Production: 188 cases
Date Tasted: July 19th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Fresh and tropical on the nose with a layer of candied fruit, the Saddle Block is one of two Chardonnay the East Kelowna winery produces using the same, Burgundian clone and, presumably, the same, general techniques. Sourced from their home vineyards, this is an uber-expressive, operatic wine with over-the-top intensity and lots of tangy acidity on the tropical'n'melon flavoured palate. It won't be for everyone, especially those expecting the predictable comfort of a partially-oaked, refined Chardonnay. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2022 Duncan Vineyard Chardonnay - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2022 Duncan Vineyard Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $30 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%

Production: 490 cases (750ml) + 48 magnums
Date Tasted: July 19th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Offers some of the tropical fruit notes of its East Kelowna-sourced, portfolio cousin, the Saddle Block Chardonnay, but otherwise stands on its own with a unique blend of elegant and party-boat characters. Fruit cup and a medley of ripe and tangy orchard aromas and flavours pair nicely with a touch of minerality, subtle savoury elements and a gentle kiss of oak. Finish is long and well balanced. Drink 2022-2025.

Rainmaker Wines 2018 Malbec - 91pts

Rainmaker Wines 2018 Malbec (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.8%
Date Tasted: June 25th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A Malbec with something to say. At 4 years of age, the Rainmaker Malbec is both intense and elegant with a densely layered nose and an extracted, supremely well-balanced palate. Classic Malbec, blackened berries are supported by savoury notes of earth, sweet tar and plenty of spice. Intensely flavourful and tannic on the ripe palate with plenty of refreshing, berry acidity on the long finish. Ready to go now or hold for the potential of further development. Drink 2022-2027.

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