River Stone Estate Winery 2021 Cabernet Franc - 90-91pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2021 Cabernet Franc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $38.90

Alcohol: 13.7%

Date Tasted: June 3rd, 2023

@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: An earthy and brambly Cabernet Franc with wild berry, wild sage and aromatic, sweet cedar notes. Long, complex and layered with lots to explore as it evolves in your glass and in your cellar over the next few years. Drink 2023-2027.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2023 IconWines.ca

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2018 Meritage - 90-91pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2018 Meritage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $50 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 4th, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: Burrowing Owl's 2018 Meritage is a blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec sourced from the winery's Oliver and Osoyoos vineyards. Hand-harvested and barrel aged for 15 months prior to the assemblage whereupon the wine is then aged a further 3 and a half months in oak before bottling. The resulting wine is big, yet, supremely approachable, with a rounded nose and palate offering bold, red and dark fruit characters, supported by savoury, spicy notes of wild herbs, dried earth, anise and toasty, aromatic wood.

A pretty and elegant wine to open now or to put away for a rainy day within the next 3-4 years. Enjoy with nicely salted, leaner cuts of beef or with your best dark chocolate for an after-dinner treat. Drink 2022-2026.

- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Corner Stone - 90-91pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Corner Stone (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $38.90

Alcohol: 14.1%

Date Tasted: September 22nd, 2020

@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: A sensual, rounded and generous, Right Bank inspired blend (Merlot leading with lesser amounts of the remaining 4 Bordeaux reds) oozing with ripe, red and dark fruit, lightly toasted oak, warm vanilla mocha and aromatic spices on the feminine nose and maturing, toasty-tannin palate. Already approachable at 3 years of age, has the bones to age gracefully with some further development, if you're patient. Drink 2021-2026.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2017 "En Famille" Reserve Chardonnay - 90-91pts

JoieFarm 2017 "En Famille" Reserve Chardonnay (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $30.35 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 387 cases
Date Tasted: July 7th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A fully oaked (30% new, 15% 2nd fill and 55% neutral), melon and citrus fruit flavoured Chardonnay sourced from two central Okanagan vineyards that went through a spontaneous, secondary, or 'malolactic' fermentation during élevage, softening the naturally high level of acid and constructing a balanced wine with omnipresent, yet, subtle oak structure and complimentary buttered scone notes.

Length is a bit short, today, though should lengthen with more time in the cellar which will also allow the background, savoury notes time to blossom and integrate with the fruit. Come back in 2 years. Drink 2021-2024.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca