Wild Goose Vineyards 2022 Autumn Gold - 88pts

Wild Goose Vineyards 2022 Autumn Gold (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: VQA stores and direct from winery here
Cost: $19.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: June 8th, 2023

Tasting Notes: Wild Goose's Autumn Gold is an off-dry blend of Gewurztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Blanc which, despite the name, makes you think of hot, Summer nights thanks to its juicy and chewy notes of Tropical fruit and orchard favourites like ripe peach, Asian pear and apricot. A nice wave of citrus acidity keeps the palate fresh and lively. Ready to go now. Pair with your favourite appies or late-night snack foods. Drink 2023-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2023 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2022 Malbec Rosé - 88pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2022 Malbec Rosé (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.90 (including tax)
Alcohol: 12.2%
Date Tasted: June 1st, 2023

Tasting Notes: For rosé connoisseurs, you'll find this likeable Malbec blush high on both the crispness and body indexes. Dry and well balanced, this is an aromatic and textured wine with real substance and plenty of red fruit, blossoms and rhubarb characters throughout. Think refreshing and refined, rather than delicate and demure for this pink beauty. Drink now-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2023 IconWines.ca

Wild Goose Vineyards 2022 Pinot Gris - 88pts

Wild Goose Vineyards 2022 Pinot Gris (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: May 26th, 2023

Tasting Notes: An off-dry, refreshing Pinot Gris with plenty of crisp, orchard fruit acidity to keep the palate nicely balanced. Classic white peach and nectarine aromas are enhanced with malolactic fermentation notes of buttery, candied fruit. There is also a nice vein of minerals throughout, but most prominently showing on the mouth-watering palate where similar flavours mingle with citrus notes. Ready to go now. Drink now-2025.

  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2023 IconWines.ca

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Cabernet Sauvignon - 88pts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Cabernet Sauvignon (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: November 11th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A dark and broody Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the highest altitude vineyard in Oliver, Quails Wayside. This inky wine is dark in every way from the colour to the black fruit and charred oak on the nose and through to the similarly-flavoured palate enhanced with more darkness; blackened spices and charcoal tannins. There's a Lars von Trier, relentlessly dark quality at work here that won't appeal to those who want more of an approachable, robust-yet-refined approach to Cabernet Sauvignon, but, that style is hard to consistently produce in BC. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Pinot Noir - 88pts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Pinot Noir (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: October 1st, 2022

Tasting Notes: An unrefined, opaque Pinot Noir with subtle layers of cherry, wild sage and sweet herbs on the compelling, earthy nose. The juicy palate offers more prominent fruit with flavours of black raspberries, plums and black cherries supported nicely by the presence of  lightly toasted oak. A touch more acid would do wonders to the overall balance, but there's plenty to enjoy, on its own or paired with Thanksgiving turkey. Drink 2022-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Cabernet Franc Rosé - 88pts

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Cabernet Franc Rosé (Okanagan Valley) BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: August 16th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A big, high-glycerol blush with a touch of pruny notes on the notes. Not the typical opening line of a review for a successful rosé, yet, that's exactly what this Cabernet Franc based wine is. The balance skews towards refreshing with a nice amount of fresh, cranberry acidity keeping the residual sugar and alcohol in check. There's also a touch of spice and tannin on the finish which should help this wine pair with BBQ meats and side dishes. Drink now-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca 

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Sauvignon Blanc - 88pts

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Valley) BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 15th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A ripe Sauvignon Blanc with plenty of subtle layers of  passionfruit, citrus rind, bell pepper and stainless steel on the otherwise stonefruit-leading nose. Crisp and mouth-watering on the similarly stonefruit-flavoured palate with a touch of refreshing tartness and grape skin notes on the medium-plus finish. Ready to go now with your favourite seafood dishes like shrimp alfredo pasta. Drink now-2024.

 - 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

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.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

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.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2021 Chardonnay - 88pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine shops

Cost: $23.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.6%
Date Tasted: May 22nd, 2022
@LAFRENZWINERY

Tasting Notes: Always a crowd-pleaser, except for only the most fervent of the ABC militia, the 2021 La Frenz Chardonnay holds to the winery's "Peaches and Cream" style delivery comfort food in-a-glass. There's a bit more (and very welcomed) stone fruit acidity on the well balanced and approachable palate with juicy, fruit-cup characters throughout and a nice combination of bright, orchard fruit and creamy, baked pear flavours on the satisfying finish. Drink now-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Lake Breeze Vineyards 2019 Alizé Roussanne - 88pts

Lake Breeze Vineyards 2019 Alizé Roussanne (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $25 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 22nd, 2022

Tasting Notes: Very little Roussanne is grown in the Okanagan Valley and even less is bottled as a standalone varietal. Lake Breeze, with their Alizé release, gives us the rare opportunity to experience how the Rhone grape fares away from its traditional home. This Naramata grown version might be missing the unctuousness of its French brethren, but it succeeds in delivering a complex nose of stone fruit, floral tea and unpasteurized honey with similar flavours on the relatively full-ish and refreshing palate.

The current vintage is already 3 years old and ready to go. Drink now-2024.

- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Terravista Vineyards 2020 Viognier - 88pts

Terravista Vineyards 2020 Viognier (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: BC VQA Stores
Cost: $24 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: April 26th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A nice Viognier with a touch of lushness on the nose thanks to subtle honeydew, dried apricot and blossom notes. Palate excites the senses with prominent, yet, gentle acidity that rolls over the tongue rather than attacks it. An oily, unctuousness lingers on the spicy and citrus-kissed finish. No sign of new or even newish oak. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2021 Riesling - 88pts

SpearHead Winery 2021 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 

Cost: $21 + taxes

Alcohol: 13%

Date Tasted: April 25th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A (very) off-dry, yet, well-balanced Riesling with a pleasing mix of ripe apple, pear and peach notes on the mineral-scented nose. The palate has solid, fresh peach acidity to contrast the plumpy melon and kiwi-passion fruit flavours and is far less racy than the mouth-smacking, leaner 2020 vintage (and still available at the writing of this review). Pair the sweater 2021 edition with rich, hard cheeses or your favourite salty snack. Ready to go now. Drink now-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Merlot - 88pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $32 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 17th, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: Elegant on the dark fruit and charred, licorice-oak scented nose which precedes a rich'n'racy palate with good continuity of flavours framed by punchy acid, blackened tannins and a finish loaded with spice and iron. This is a Merlot to pair with dark chocolate or raw tenderloin, rather than with BBQ'd meats. Ready to go now or hold for 2-3 years. Drink 2022-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2019 Chardonnay - 88pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $42
Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 485 cases
Date Tasted: August 29th, 2021

Tasting Notes: Produced with fruit sourced from a vineyard on the Naramata Bench planted exclusively with the Burgundian, Clone 95, similar to its portfolio cousin, the Saddle Block Chardonnay. This Naramata version is full and generous with both melon and orchard fruit throughout. Balance is attained through the existence of fresh and tangy citrus fruit present on the expressive nose and refreshing palate. Oak treatment is a bit heavy with with lingering wood bitters on the lime rind'n'spice-infused finish. Drink 2021-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2016 Cabernet Franc - 88pts

Gold Hill Winery 2016 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from winery here
Cost: $TBD
Alcohol: 14.9%
Date Tasted: June 21st, 2021

Tasting Notes: At five years of age, this dense, aromatic Cabernet Franc is showing signs of peaking. The developed bouquet is offers prominent brandy aromas which envelope the more delicate floral and spice notes. Less robust on the berry'n'spice flavoured palate than the hedonistic 2015 vintage with more viscosity and a shorter finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2021-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2020 Sauvignon Blanc - 88pts

Gold Hill Winery 2020 Sauvignon Blanc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 10th, 2021

Tasting Notes: Opens with a nice nose of blossoms, white currant berries and a little of that attractive, Sauvignon Blanc stink. Palate is light, mineraly and refreshing with good acidity and a medley of apple, citrus and peach flavours. Overall, a subtle, delicate expression of the Loire Valley grape that might be best suited as a companion to a hot deck. Ready to go now. Drink now-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2020 Chardonnay - 88pts

La Frenz Winery 2020 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine shops

Cost: $20.78 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.6%
Date Tasted: May 22nd, 2021
@LAFRENZWINERY

Tasting Notes: The La Frenz, Peaches'n'Cream Chardonnay is comfort food in-a-glass, delivering a likability score of... Yum! Well balanced and approachable with juicy, fruit-cup aromas and flavours and a clean backbone of nectarine acidity to keep the finish crisp. You will finish the bottle after you open it, be warned, and don't age this Chardonnay more than 1-2 years, enjoy it in its youth. Drink now-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca