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SpearHead Winery 2021 Saddle Block Pinot Noir - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2021 Saddle Block Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $38 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 410 cases
Date Tasted: June 23rd, 2023

Tasting Notes: A beautifully earthy Pinot Noir from Pinot specialists, SpearHead Winery in East Kelowna. Look for savoury and forest notes to be well supported by vibrant red fruit and sour cherry skins on both the boisterous nose and the dry palate. Lots of texture to enjoy with both supple and energetic elements in the mouth and through to the long finish which offers lingering vanilla and spice. Ready to go now or hold for 3-4 more years. Drink 2023-2026.

SpearHead Winery 2021 Chardonnay Clone 95 - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2021 Chardonnay Clone 95 (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 14%

Production: 450 cases
Date Tasted: May 7th, 2023

Tasting Notes: A rich and robust Chardonnay sourced from the Naramata Bench which offers a boisterous nose of both Tropical and orchard fruit with zesty lemon notes, a touch of minerality and malolactic, buttery goodness, . Lots of texture on the equally intense, leesy palate thanks to time in oak and to its mouth-watering acidity from crisp apple and citrus flavours. A peaches'n'cream, wrap-you-in-a-warm-blanket-but-keep-you-awake-with-a shot-of-lemon Chardonnay to be sure. Drink now-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2020 Saddle Block Pinot Noir - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2020 Saddle Block Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $38 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 443 cases
Date Tasted: September 23rd, 2022

Tasting Notes: Keeps with the label's style of being the earthiest Pinot Noir in the winery's portfolio of single-vineyard bottlings. The 2020 Saddle Block offers the comfort of earth and forest notes beautifully supported by rich, pruny fruit and incense on the pleasant, elegant nose. A dry, medium-everything palate follows bringing similar flavours and layers of textures from dark chocolate tannins to Christmas spices to tangy, dried-cranberries. Vanilla and spice linger on the finish. Ready to go now or hold for 3-4 more years. Drink 2023-2026.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Syrah - 90pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery and private wine shops
Cost: $35 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: August 31st, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: A cherry Coke-scented, youthful Syrah with black cherry, cola, black plum and black pepper notes leading the way while aromas of toasted oak and charred meat play a supporting role. Sourced from the winery's vineyards in Oliver and Osoyoos, the 2020 Syrah is dense and meaty with a rustic, iron and charred-oak edge to its cherry cola'n'spice flavoured, dry palate. Should be used to dress-up cheaper cuts of meat with nicely charred fat and big, bold sauces. Ready to go now or hold for 2-3 years. Drink 2022-2026.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Merlot - 90pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Merlot (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $32 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 23rd, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: The Burrowing Owl Merlot is back to its intense, yet, elegant self with the newly released 2020 vintage which elevates the label's rich'n'racy style to more familiar heights. Always a beautiful blend of blackened berries, licorice-spiced oak and punchy acidity, the 2020 offers more depth and length on the palate and finish with added notes of eucalyptus, cooking spice and iron. Ready to go now thanks to fine, supportive tannins and a well-integrated flavours. Drink 2022-2026.

Gold Hill Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc - 90pts

Gold Hill Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from winery here
Cost: $42.99
Alcohol: 14.1%
Date Tasted: August 12th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Already peaking at 5 years of age, this is a refined, yet, intense Cabernet Franc with an expressive nose of crushed blossoms, violets, vanilla and lots of brambly fruit. Smooth on the palate, this medium-tannin wine from the newly designated Golden Mile Slope region of the Southern Okanagan offers layers of ripe, verging-on-pruny fruit and elegant, savoury flavours without ever feeling heavy or over extracted. Ready to go now as the aging has been done for you by the winery. Drink 2022-2025.

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.

Uko Select Vineyards 2018 Riserva Cabernet Sauvignon - 90pts

Uko Select Vineyards 2018 Riserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $14.99-17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 19th, 2022

Tasting Notes: An under $20 Cabernet Sauvignon with this much depth and balance should not be possible, but the Uko Select Vineyards brand makes it happen, year-to-year. What the wine lacks in refinement, it makes up for in character and intensity without resorting to tons of added sugar for a faux-richness like too many Cabernet of the same price range from California. The Uko is dense and intense without feeling over-extracted or heavy.

Look for classic dark fruit, throughout, with rustic, crushed-violets and savoury, tobacco and spices on the nose. Finishes dry with a delicious wave of lingering, wild berry acidity making this a very food-friendly Cabernet. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2023.

River Stone Estate Winery 2021 Sauvignon Blanc - 90pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $22.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: June 4th, 2022
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: One of the qualities that sets the River Stone Sauvignon Blanc apart is the presence of the grape's natural pleasantly pungent aromas which are, sadly, all too often missing from other BC-born editions of the Bordeaux variety. The 2021 vintage continues the winery's house style of punchy herbs, citrus zest, ripe melons and exotic, tropical fruit and finishes dry with a refreshing and crisp medley of lemon-lime, green apple, tin and honeydew flavours. Pair with your favourite seafood dinners or salty snacks. Drink now-2024.

SpearHead Winery 2021 Pinot Noir Rosé - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2021 Pinot Noir Rosé (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $25 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 500 cases
Date Tasted: April 15th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A rich and opulent rosé made from Pinot Noir grapes, opening with a peachy-strawberry scented nose followed by a refreshing, yet, plump palate of similar flavours, additional mineraly, grapefruit notes and enough cranberry acidity to keep the finish light and crisp. Just about everything you want from a BC blush. Drink now-2024.

Cassini Cellars 2018 Quattro - 90pts

Cassini Cellars 2018 Quattro (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 1300 cases
Date Tasted: October 21st, 2021

Tasting Notes: This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah opens with a sexy nose of dark fruit and berry liqueur aromas and a supporting cast of licorice, vanilla and spice notes. The seductive nose is followed by a dense palate with a similar, dark fruit-leading flavour profile and a good amount of savoury goodness in its toasted oak, spicebox and peppery characters. Ready to go now or hold for further development. Drink 2021-2025+

SpearHead Winery 2019 Saddle Block Chardonnay - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Saddle Block Chardonnay (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 169 cases
Date Tasted: August 29th, 2021

Tasting Notes: This Chardonnay, using the same Burgundian clone 95 as its portfolio cousin from the Naramata Bench, is sourced from the winery's home vineyard in East Kelowna and offers a similar flavour profile but with a more elegant and balanced result. Here the oak treatment is subtle and lovingly structures the happy marriage of ripe orchard and melon fruit to the lively, tanginess of the citrus fruit. The finish is long and balanced. Drink 2021-2024.

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Merlot - 90pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Merlot - BC VQA

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: May 25th, 2021

Tasting Notes: A sexy Merlot, sourced from multiple sites in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys, balancing smoky, savoury characters with concentrated black and blue fruits. Dry and toasty on the spicy, oak-kissed palate with moderate, ever-so-green tannins and a bright, yet, lingering finish. Pair with charred meats to match the smokiness throughout the profile. Ready to go now. Drink now-2023.

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2020 Modest Wines La Graves Robber - 90pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2020 Modest Wines La Graves Robber (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $26.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.9%
Date Tasted: May 11th, 2021

Tasting Notes: A beautifully balanced and textured, Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blend (81/19 split) which spent some time in oak barrels, rounding the edges of the racy profile of crisp orchard fruit, honeysuckle, stone fruit and tangy citrus aromas and flavours. The mouth-watering, long finish offers lingering mineral and spices making this Graves-inspired blend a nice match for shellfish and sushi dinners. Ready to go now. Drink now-2022.

SpearHead Winery 2020 Pinot Gris - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2020 Pinot Gris (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $20 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: April 14th, 2021

Tasting Notes: The balance of the 2020 edition of Spearhead's popular Pinot Gris is spot on with a touch more residual sugar than recent vintages contrasting beautifully with the zesty, citrus and white peach flavours and acidity. Though, don't jump to the refreshing palate before taking time to appreciate the racy and vibrant peach-fest nose.

This is the ultimate Summer sipper for its ratio of quality to refreshingness to affordability. Buy it by the case and drink it with friends, 6 feet apart:). Drink now-2023.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2018 Merlot - 90pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $32 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 27th, 2021
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: Both elegant and approachable, this Merlot captures the hot Okanagan sun and effortlessly combines its savoury, terroir and barrel flavours into a supremely enjoyable wine which can stand on its own as a juicy, refined sipper or as beautiful pairing for roasted or BBQ'd meats. Look for ripe berry, semi-dark chocolate, vanilla and licorice on the nose and palate and with a plethora of herbs'n'spice on the mouth-watering finish. Ready to go now or hold for 3-4 years. Drink 2021-2024.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2018 Syrah - 90pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery and private wine shops
Cost: $35 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 27th, 2021
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: A layered Syrah that opens with a developing bouquet of black cherry, light cola and sweetened peppercorn aromas followed by a mouth-watering, red and dark fruit flavoured palate whose depth of spice is revealed in the delayed, long-lasting finish. Extremely food-friendly with no overwhelming elements and the right amount of oak and tannin to pair with Striploin or Ribeye steaks (peppercorn encrusted, of course). Ready to go now or hold for 2-3 years. Drink 2021-2024.

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah - 90pts

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah (Cawston) Similkameen Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: November 21st, 2020

Tasting Notes: Sourced from the winery's Cawston vineyard in the Similkameen Valley, this is one of three Syrahs the winery makes and it's their most playful with uber-ripe, cherry, raspberry and plum fruit, Christmas Cake spices and candied fruits showing throughout. Palate's balance is just a tad sweet with the medium tannins and acidity unable to fully off-set the super-concentrated berry flavours. A touch of toasted oak and wild spice add depth and more food pairing options like game served with a fruit sauce. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2024.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2014 Grand Vin - 90pts

Gold Hill Winery 2014 Grand Vin (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $64.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 15.9%
Date Tasted: November 3rd, 2020

Tasting Notes: An intense, mature, Meritage blend featuring fully integrated, black and blue fruits, pretty aromatics and smooth, savoury notes. There is impressive, long-lived, lively acid on the lightly tannic palate which offers similar flavours as the nose. At already 6 years old and sealed with a synthetic cork, this wine won't likely develop further and should be enjoyed over the next 12-18 months. Drink now-2021.

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2016 Altitude - 90pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2016 Altitude (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%

Production: 320 cases
Date Tasted: October 4th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, Upper Bench's Altitude open with an elegant, refined nose of well-integrated, blue and dark fruits, sweet vanilla, oak spice and a hint of blood orange peel. The palate is bright and alert with prominent, blackberry acidity, medium tannins and, again, nicely integrated, ripe, dark fruits and savoury oak characters. Ready to go now and pair with a lean cut of beef of a vegetarian lasagna. Drink 2020-2024.

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