IconScores.ca: March 2022

Fairview Cellars 2016 Premier Series Cabernet Sauvignon - 92pts

Fairview Cellars 2016 Premier Series Cabernet Sauvignon (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Contact winery directly here
Cost: $55 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.8%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: March 10th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Uber-smooth and gaining femininity as it ages, the 2016 Premier Series Cabernet Sauvignon from Fairview is coming into its own at 6-years-old, showing both delicate and powerful aromas on the elegant nose and integrated flavours on the refined, long-lasting palate. Look for a profile of mellowed, ripe dark fruit infused with sagebrush, supportive oak and sensual notes of menthol and cola. Drink now-2025.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Cabernet Franc - 91pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $36
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: March 8th, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: The unsung hero of the current Burrowing Owl portfolio. The 2019 Cabernet Franc is a beautiful, feminine wine with a lovely expression of fragrant, floral aromas and ripe, red fruit notes. The balance between pretty and elegant elements on the palate is spot on with excellent structure coming from refined tannins, playful, wild berry acidity and supporting, savoury flavours. Ready to go now, on its own or as a sophisticated companion to a simple meal like pizza or spaghetti. Drink 2022-2026.

Calliope Wines 2019 Figure Eight Red - 87pts

Calliope Wines 2019 Figure Eight Red (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $19-21 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: March 4th, 2022

Tasting Notes:

Juicy and approachable with food-friendly, brisk acidity, the Figure Eight is a straight-forward, entry-level, red blend of 73% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah and 1% Petit Verdot.

A flavourful blast of berries opens both the otherwise, nicely savoury nose and palate where the intense fruit is balanced with notes of licorice, tobacco and toasted oak and herbs. Pair with all-things BBQ'd or appies. Drink now-2024.

La Frenz Winery 2019 Reserve Pinot Noir - 91-pts

La Frenz Winery 2019 Reserve Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34.70 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.7%
Date Tasted: January 30th, 2022

Tasting Notes:

Opens with a luxurious nose of big, California-ripe, red fruit aromas which instantly grab your attention. Yet, this is a BC Pinot Noir, through and through, with layers of both savoury and fruit notes like dried spices, spiced plum, French vanilla cream, dark chocolate, black cherry and black plum.

The medium-weighted palate offers a similar fruit-to-savoury ratio with prominent, plum'n'cherry flavours leading the way. Fine tannins and effortless, wild berry acidity add structure and frame the long finish leaving your mouth watering and in-anticipation of the next sip. Ready to go now, though, holding for a further 2 years may yield additional development. Drink 2022-2025.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Syrah - 89pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery and private wine shops
Cost: $35 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: February 28th, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: Sourced from the winery's vineyards in Oliver and Osoyoos, the 2019 Syrah is complex and dense with a rough, charred edge to its black plum and black cherry scented nose and on the full-bodied, textured palate that follows.

Not as versatile in the food-pairing department as recent vintages. Look to this Syrah to balance out cheaper cuts of meet with nicely charred fat and big, bold sauces. Ready to go now or hold for 2-3 years. Drink 2022-2025.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2018 Meritage - 90-91pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2018 Meritage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $50 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 4th, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: Burrowing Owl's 2018 Meritage is a blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec sourced from the winery's Oliver and Osoyoos vineyards. Hand-harvested and barrel aged for 15 months prior to the assemblage whereupon the wine is then aged a further 3 and a half months in oak before bottling. The resulting wine is big, yet, supremely approachable, with a rounded nose and palate offering bold, red and dark fruit characters, supported by savoury, spicy notes of wild herbs, dried earth, anise and toasty, aromatic wood.

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 or with your best dark chocolate for an after-dinner treat. Drink 2022-2026.

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