IconScores.ca: June 2022

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.

Moon Curser Vineyards 2020 Malbec - 88-90pts

Moon Curser Vineyards 2020 Malbec (Osoyoos East Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 513 cases
Date Tasted: June 24th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Big, bold and boisterous, though, perhaps not with a lot to say, yet. In its youth this Osoyoos East Bench Malbec satisfies the red wine lover's quench for robustness and intensity with a charred nose of blackened berries, toasted oak, tar, black cherry, molasses and kerosene tea which is followed by an equally intense and dense palate with similar flavours, added spice and a tart finish of black fruit puree and tannins.

There's lots to like, but no additional depth or refined, elegant elements, yet. With more time in the bottle, the depth should come and the raw intensity should mellow nicely. Drink 2024-2026.

Averill Creek Vineyard 2017 Pinot Noir - 91pts

Averill Creek Vineyard 2017 Pinot Noir (Cowichan Valley) Vancouver Island - BC

Availability: Select VQA stores
Cost: $27-30 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: June 20th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Cowichan Valley's Averill Creek has become a leader in producing consistently excellent Island Pinot Noir. Strike that. Cowichan Valley's Averill Creek has become a leader in producing consistently excellent BC Pinot Noir! Both rich and intense, yet, utterly typical and true to the aloof, earthy qualities of the grape as grown in BC's (relatively) cool climate.

Look for black raspberry and ripe cherry fruit supported by forest floor and warm rock notes on the gorgeous nose with a wild berry medley of fruits, herbs, spice and cedar on the smooth, layered palate. Tasting beautifully now at 5 years of age. Drink now-2024.

Uko Select Vineyards 2018 Riserva Cabernet Sauvignon - 90pts

Uko Select Vineyards 2018 Riserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $14.99-17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 19th, 2022

Tasting Notes: An under $20 Cabernet Sauvignon with this much depth and balance should not be possible, but the Uko Select Vineyards brand makes it happen, year-to-year. What the wine lacks in refinement, it makes up for in character and intensity without resorting to tons of added sugar for a faux-richness like too many Cabernet of the same price range from California. The Uko is dense and intense without feeling over-extracted or heavy.

Look for classic dark fruit, throughout, with rustic, crushed-violets and savoury, tobacco and spices on the nose. Finishes dry with a delicious wave of lingering, wild berry acidity making this a very food-friendly Cabernet. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2023.

Kris 2020 Pinot Grigio - 87pts

Kris 2020 Pinot Grigio (Delle Venezie IGT) Italy

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $15-19 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: June 20th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A consistently well-produced, easy-drinking Pinot Grigio with a joyful nose packed with beautiful floral aromas supported by Bosc pear and citrus. Palate is both crisp and a little creamy with some leesy notes beneath the tangy, lemon/lime and apple flavours. Pair with hard, white cheeses or your favourite salads. Drink now-2023.

Averill Creek Vineyard 2017 Dry Gewurztraminer - 88pts

Averill Creek Vineyard 2017 Dry Gewurztraminer (Cowichan Valley) Vancouver Island - BC

Availability: Select VQA stores
Cost: $19-20 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: June 19th, 2022

Tasting Notes: An altogether different take on the traditional, gooey Gewurztraminer which usually gets produced in BC. The Averill Creek Dry Gewurztraminer is an explosion of aroma with fragrant blossoms and exotic fruits leading the way and a pleasant undercurrent of minerals playing supportive role.

The subtle palate offers more in the way of texture than flavour with delicate notes of stone fruit and citrus amongst waves of refreshing acidity and cool steel. An atypical Gewurztraminer to be sure, but a memorable one. At five years of age, drink this interesting wine right away. Drink 2022.

River Stone Estate Winery 2021 Sauvignon Blanc - 90pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $22.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: June 4th, 2022
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: One of the qualities that sets the River Stone Sauvignon Blanc apart is the presence of the grape's natural pleasantly pungent aromas which are, sadly, all too often missing from other BC-born editions of the Bordeaux variety. The 2021 vintage continues the winery's house style of punchy herbs, citrus zest, ripe melons and exotic, tropical fruit and finishes dry with a refreshing and crisp medley of lemon-lime, green apple, tin and honeydew flavours. Pair with your favourite seafood dinners or salty snacks. Drink now-2024.

La Frenz Winery 2021 Viognier - 86pts

La Frenz Winery 2021 Viognier (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $23 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: June 4th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Ripe, candied fruit open the beautiful nose of this melon-scented, off-dry blend of 85% Viognier and 15% Chardonnay. Though the honeydew acidity shows through, the 12g/l of residual sugar and creamy glycerin creates a slightly, unbalanced finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2024.

La Frenz Winery 2021 Sémillon - 89pts

La Frenz Winery 2021 Sémillon (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $23 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.6%
Date Tasted: May 31st, 2022

Tasting Notes: Look for aromas and flavours of grapefruit, honeydew, kiwi, mango skin, lemongrass, and Asian pear on the fragrant nose and the mouth-watering, yet, oily palate of this Naramata Bench sourced Sémillon. Ready to go now of hold for the potential of further evolution. Drink 2022-2026.

La Frenz Winery 2021 Alexandria - 88pts

La Frenz Winery 2021 Alexandria (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $23 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.6%
Date Tasted: May 31st, 2022

Tasting Notes: An off-dry, rich blend of 50% Muscat and 50% Schonburger sourced from the winery's Naramata Bench vineyards. Uber-ripe and creamy on the exotic fruit and melon scented nose with a touch of candied fruit on the well balanced palate which offers relief from the residual sugar by way of a refreshing wave of fresh peach acidity. Enjoy on a sunny patio with friends (and be prepared to open a 2nd bottle). Drink now-2024.

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