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.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca 

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.

  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Calliope Wines 2019 Rosé - 85pts

Calliope Wines 2019 Rosé - BC VQA

Availability: Not yet released
Cost: $17-18 + taxes (est)
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: June 1st, 2020

Tasting Notes: A pleasant, easy-going blush with no element out-of-place, nor terribly memorable either. Typical, medley of red fruit notes throughout with a refreshing, kick of green apple acidity on the well-mannered, medium-ish bodied palate. Ready to go now and should pair nicely with a wide range of BBQ favourites. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Sterling Vineyards 2016 Vintner's Collection Merlot - 85pts

Sterling Vineyards 2016 Vintner's Collection Merlot - California State

Availability: Direct from winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $19.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 12th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A juicy, ripe Merlot with blackberry, black plum and sweet cassis aromas and flavours with nothing really out-of-sorts, yet, disappointingly structured rather Apothic-y with too much RS and too little depth and length. There are better budget Merlots out there. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Trivento 2017 Reserve Malbec - 85pts

Trivento 2017 Reserve Malbec (Mendoza) Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $14.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: May 2nd, 2019

Tasting Notes: Has a touch of candied fruit and fruit cake notes, a la Beaujolais, on the otherwise, perfume-y, spiced nose. More feminine in style for the 2017 vintage and, overall, better balanced between its spice, blue fruit and lightly smoked tannin characters. Ready to go now. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Poplar Grove Winery 2017 Pinot Gris - 85pts

Poplar Grove Winery 2017 Pinot Gris (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $18.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.2%
Date Tasted: March 12th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A refreshing and crisp, though, somewhat light-weight Pinot Gris with a concentrated, Sauvignon Blanc-ish nose followed by a thin, short-lived palate with some nice pear and citrus fruit flavours and acidity, but not quite enough. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Pierre Lamolte 2014 Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes De Beaune - 85pts

Pierre Lamolte 2014 Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes De Beaune (Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes De Beaune AOC) Burgundy - France

Availability: Private wine shops
Cost: $25 est
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: January 13th, 2019

Tasting Notes: An effervescent, youthful Pinot Noir, despite its 5 years of age, with a rustic, earth'n'herbs nose and palate. A touch of tangy raspberry flavour and acidity lingers on the moderate, spice laden finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Pascual Toso 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon - 85pts

Pascual Toso 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipú District) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $15.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 16th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A competent Cabernet Sauvignon handled like a Malbec focusing mostly on the juicy, black fruit characters of the Bordeaux variety, though, not without some depth thanks to a smoky, coffee grind edge and leathery tannins on the finish. Ready to go now. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca