La Frenz Winery 2018 Malbec - 88-89pts

La Frenz Winery 2018 Malbec (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $26 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.8%
Date Tasted: May 20th, 2021

Tasting Notes: This Malbec (blended with 12% Syrah) is a full-bodied, juicy feast of lovely spice, black plum, sun-ripe blackberry and sweet earth characters on both the approachable nose and well-balanced palate whose ratio of fruit-to-savoury notes is spot on. Give this one a rest until the Summer of 2022, if you can wait, to allow for further integration. Drink 2022-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Cabernet Franc - 88-89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Cabernet Franc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $31.90

Alcohol: 13.1%

Date Tasted: September 19th, 2020

@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: The 2018 vintage of River Stone's Cabernet Franc has vegetal notes intertwined with lovely, floral and red currant aromas on its nose and its spice and wild berry textured palate. A touch of iodine and toasted oak lingers on the longe finish. Pair with a juicy, rare tenderloin and look for further integration down the road. Drink 2022-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2017 Merlot - 88-89pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2017 Merlot (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $28 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 451 cases
Date Tasted: August 10th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A masculine Merlot with an earthy, iron base and layers of cocoa nibs, black currant, vanilla, licorice and spices on the youthful nose and the uber-dry, dusty-tannin palate. Not quite ready, but nearly. If you can't wait another 1-2 years, then be sure to decant for several hours before enjoying with your lean beef or game dinner. Drink 2022-2025+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2017 Malbec - 88-89pts

La Frenz Winery 2017 Malbec (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.26 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.4%
Date Tasted: May 7th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Blended with 14% Syrah, this is a full bodied Malbec with a lovely run of spice through the black plum, sun-ripe blackberry and sweet earth scented nose and the similarly flavoured palate. Finish is a touch hot and short, but the overall balance of fruit-to-savoury characters is spot on. Give this one a rest until the Summer of 2021 to allow for further integration. Drink 2021-2024.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2019 Riesling - 88-89pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 

Cost: $21 + taxes

Alcohol: 12%

Production: 500 cases

Date Tasted: March 20th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Clean, crisp and vibrant, this lip-smackin', off-dry Riesling shows lively, green apple, stonefruit and citrus aromas and flavours with homey notes of blossoms and unpasteurized honey adding depth on the nose and palate. Ready to go now or hold for another 3-4 years for further development. Drink 2020-2023+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca