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.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

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.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

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.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

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.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

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.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca