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SpearHead Winery 2022 Pinot Gris - 91pts

SpearHead Winery 2022 Pinot Gris (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and BC Liquor Stores
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: May 7th, 2023

Tasting Notes: Another stellar vintage for East Kelowna's SpearHead Winery of the often underappreciated Pinot Gris grape. When executed with precision and care as SpearHead consistently does, Pinot Gris can yield a crisp, yet, generous wine with aromas and flavours of white peach, mellon, pears, citrus and gravel. The result is a wine which drinks - simply - beautifully.

You can find this underappreciated and overlooked white in most BC Liquor stores these days. Sure, you might get two, cheap bottles of Italian Pinot Grigio for the same price, but they will be plain and forgettable. You will remember yourself enjoying this wine and you will find yourself buying more. Drink now-2025.

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Syrah - 91pts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Syrah (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: October 21st, 2022

Tasting Notes: A beautifully scented, bright'n'bold Syrah from Oliver and Penticton sourced fruit offering a gorgeous, feminine nose of sweet spices, incense, cherry cola, cherry nibs and violet aromas followed by a textured palate of dark berries, cola, anise, cracked pepper and iron flavours. A blend of 92% Syrah and 8% Viognier, this is a wine to pair with leaner meets like beef tenderloin or seared tuna. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2025.

Rainmaker Wines 2018 Malbec - 91pts

Rainmaker Wines 2018 Malbec (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.8%
Date Tasted: June 25th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A Malbec with something to say. At 4 years of age, the Rainmaker Malbec is both intense and elegant with a densely layered nose and an extracted, supremely well-balanced palate. Classic Malbec, blackened berries are supported by savoury notes of earth, sweet tar and plenty of spice. Intensely flavourful and tannic on the ripe palate with plenty of refreshing, berry acidity on the long finish. Ready to go now or hold for the potential of further development. Drink 2022-2027.

Averill Creek Vineyard 2017 Pinot Noir - 91pts

Averill Creek Vineyard 2017 Pinot Noir (Cowichan Valley) Vancouver Island - BC

Availability: Select VQA stores
Cost: $27-30 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: June 20th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Cowichan Valley's Averill Creek has become a leader in producing consistently excellent Island Pinot Noir. Strike that. Cowichan Valley's Averill Creek has become a leader in producing consistently excellent BC Pinot Noir! Both rich and intense, yet, utterly typical and true to the aloof, earthy qualities of the grape as grown in BC's (relatively) cool climate.

Look for black raspberry and ripe cherry fruit supported by forest floor and warm rock notes on the gorgeous nose with a wild berry medley of fruits, herbs, spice and cedar on the smooth, layered palate. Tasting beautifully now at 5 years of age. Drink now-2024.

SpearHead Winery 2021 White Pinot Noir - 91pts

SpearHead Winery 2021 White Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores

Cost: $28 + taxes

Alcohol: 13%

Date Tasted: April 23rd, 2022

Tasting Notes: This white is an absolute gem; rich, refreshing and unique. Made from the winery's signature grape, Pinot Noir, this beautiful, fleshy, Blanc de Noirs can attribute its lack of colour to the limiting of skin contract during the crush. Both full bodied and vibrant with white peach acidity and unctuous fruit characters of honeydew melon and papaya. Pair with a white fish dish or try it at a Mother's Day brunch with your eggs Benedict. Drink now-2022.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Cabernet Franc - 91pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $36
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: March 8th, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: The unsung hero of the current Burrowing Owl portfolio. The 2019 Cabernet Franc is a beautiful, feminine wine with a lovely expression of fragrant, floral aromas and ripe, red fruit notes. The balance between pretty and elegant elements on the palate is spot on with excellent structure coming from refined tannins, playful, wild berry acidity and supporting, savoury flavours. Ready to go now, on its own or as a sophisticated companion to a simple meal like pizza or spaghetti. Drink 2022-2026.

La Frenz Winery 2019 Reserve Pinot Noir - 91-pts

La Frenz Winery 2019 Reserve Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34.70 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.7%
Date Tasted: January 30th, 2022

Tasting Notes:

Opens with a luxurious nose of big, California-ripe, red fruit aromas which instantly grab your attention. Yet, this is a BC Pinot Noir, through and through, with layers of both savoury and fruit notes like dried spices, spiced plum, French vanilla cream, dark chocolate, black cherry and black plum.

The medium-weighted palate offers a similar fruit-to-savoury ratio with prominent, plum'n'cherry flavours leading the way. Fine tannins and effortless, wild berry acidity add structure and frame the long finish leaving your mouth watering and in-anticipation of the next sip. Ready to go now, though, holding for a further 2 years may yield additional development. Drink 2022-2025.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2018 Malbec - 91pts

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

Availability: Direct from the winery here upon release
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 14.8%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: November 20th, 2021

Tasting Notes: An impressive, textured Malbec with a nice blend of ripe, dark berry fruit and meaty, savoury notes of spicy tobacco, sweet tar and leather. Look for flavours of menthol and pencil shavings on the kirsch-kissed, uber-long finish where robust, refined tannins linger to the next sip.

Best to let this beautiful beast sit for another year prior to opening. Drink early-2022-2026.

Cassini Cellars 2018 Cabernet Franc - 91pts

Cassini Cellars 2018 Cabernet Franc (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Sold out at the winery. Winery site here
Cost: $40 + taxes
Alcohol: 15.3%

Production: 275 cases
Date Tasted: November 12th, 2021

Tasting Notes: Cabernet Franc is always a stand-out variety in Cassini's portfolio of 'big reds'. This single-vineyard release shows off the winery's touch with the Bordeaux grape allowing its innate funkiness and seductive aromatics to shine. Look for trademark menthol and eucalyptus aromas and flavours to be supported by a plethora of blue fruit, tobacco, toasted oak, spices and savoury characters on the generous, expressive nose and the well-balanced, pleasantly textured palate. Ready to go now, with decanting. Drink 2022-2027.

Cassini Cellars 2018 Merlot - 91pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $TBD
Alcohol: 15.4%
Date Tasted: November 8th, 2021

Tasting Notes: A dark and brooding Merlot with a masculine, film noir profile of dark fruit, black menthol smoke, kirsch, sweet tar and subtle, seductive spice - a nose to appreciate, patiently. The palate is dry with good balance thanks to uber-refined, yet, grippy tannins and a long, long finish with lingering smoky-goodness.

Ready to go now, enjoy this sexy beast with your special someone as an after-dinner treat, paired with fine, dark chocolate. Drink 2021-2028.

SpearHead Winery 2019 Saddle Block Pinot Noir - 91pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $36 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 450 cases
Date Tasted: July 21st, 2021

Tasting Notes: SpearHead's earthiest Pinot from their line-up of single-vineyard releases is the Old World-ish, Saddle Block, named for the contours of the original planting of Pinot Noir clones in their home vineyard. Earth and forest notes are supported by rich aromatics and cherry skin aromas. The dry, medium-everything palate that follows feels both supple and energetic in the mouth and delivers a touch more fruit than the restrained nose. Vanilla and spice linger on the satisfying finish. Ready to go now or hold for 3-4 more years. Drink 2021-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2019 Coyote Vineyard Pinot Noir - 91pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Coyote Vineyard Pinot Noir (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $36 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 350 cases
Date Tasted: July 18th, 2021

Tasting Notes: A nicely textured Pinot Noir with lively acidity, warmth from spices and alcohol, and well-integrated, complex aromas. Opaque and unfiltered the grapes for this wine were sourced from a single-vineyard near West Kelowna with volcanic soils and showcase a medley of scents and flavours from smokey herbs'n'spice and black raspberries on the nose to savoury'n'sweet earth and succulent wild berries on the palate. Ready to go now or hold for 3+ years. Drink 2021-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2019 Golden Retreat Vineyard Pinot Noir - 91pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Golden Retreat Vineyard Pinot Noir (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $36 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 440 cases
Date Tasted: July 15th, 2021

Tasting Notes: SpearHead's Golden Retreat Vineyard is located in Summerland and produces the most feminine of their three site-specific bottlings of Pinot Noir. Elegant and complex on the nose with aromas of ripe plum, sour cherry, crème de cassis and a variety of warm, dusty spices. Opulent on the equally complex palate where there is a lovely balance between bright, brambly acid, savoury flavours and round, juicy fruit. Ready to go now or hold for 4-5 years. Sealed with a Stelvin cap enclosure. Drink 2021-2025.

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah - 91pts

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: November 20th, 2020

Tasting Notes: One of three Syrahs that Rust Wine Co. produces, this one, sourced from the Golden Mile Bench, is the most masculine of the group with a nice balance between its dark fruit and savoury characters. 'Medium-plus' on all fronts; body, tannins, length and mouthfeel. Yet, there's amble generosity without weighting down your palate. Plenty of complexity on offer with aromas and flavours of baking spices, cured meats, dried rocks and salty tapenade. Ready to go now or hold for several more years. Drink 2020-2024.

Cassini Cellars 2017 Collector's Series Cabernet Sauvignon - 91pts

Cassini Cellars 2017 Collector's Series Cabernet Sauvignon (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Directly from the winery's site here
Cost: $36 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.7%
Date Tasted: November 6th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Seductive, dark and sexy, this is a Femme Fatale of a Cabernet with a developing bouquet of ripe cassis fruit, minty cocoa, sweet pipe smoke and light, perfume notes. A smooth palate follows with refined, elegant tannins, lingering spice and similar flavours - truly, quite impressive continuity from the nose. Ready to go now and should make a fine pairing for leaner cuts of beef or venison. Drink now-2025.

SpearHead Winery 2018 Pinot Noir Cuvée - 91pts

SpearHead Winery 2018 Pinot Noir Cuvée (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 450 cases
Date Tasted: September 17th, 2020

Tasting Notes: SpearHead's flagship Pinot Noir is a barrel select blend of multiple clones and vineyard sites and checks all the right boxes for an outstanding BC Pinot Noir; brooding cherry notes, earth and forest tones, smoky tannins and wildberry acidity. Put this beauty down for 2 more years to further integrate and mature. Drink 2022-2028.

Gold Hill Winery 2015 Cabernet Franc - 91pts

Gold Hill Winery 2015 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $34.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 15.9%
Date Tasted: September 14th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A supremely intense, hedonistic Cabernet Franc with loads of floral, spice and sweet earth notes on the nose and densely layered, concentrated red and blue fruit on the tobacco-flavoured, full-bodied palate. Slight, California Primitivo vibe without all the sweetness; just the right amount of extreme extraction to off-set the whopping, 15.9% alcohol. Smoky, cigar box and toasted spice notes linger on the long finish.

Unlike any other BC Cabernet Franc you're likely to find. Despite the bottle shot attached, the wine is sealed with a Stelvin cap enclosure. Ready to go now, but should hold for a few more years. Drink 2020-2023.

Winemaker's Cut 2018 Syrah - 91pts

Winemaker's Cut 2018 Syrah (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 600 cases
Date Tasted: May 30th, 2020

Tasting Notes: An uber-spicy, masculine Syrah offering a dense nose pairing white and black pepper with black plum, vanilla, licorice and beef jerky aromas. A meaty, raw palate follow with layers of spice intertwining bright black cherry, cool iron, black and green peppercorn and toasted oak flavours. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2023.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2014 Grand Total Reserve - 91pts

La Frenz Winery 2014 Grand Total Reserve (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40-45 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.8%
Date Tasted: July 16th, 2017
Re-tasted: December 31st, 2019

Tasting Notes: Built for the long-haul, with excellent concentration and refined, youthful tannins, this blend of 42% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc delivers an intense and powerful nose of dark fruits, menthol, Christmas spices, toasted oak with a hint of sweetness emanating from the ripe fruit aromas. The palate keeps to the robust-meets-restraint formula for this label with similar characters as the nose and additional, charming notes of mocha, leather and tangy, brambly berries. Excellent length in the finish where spices linger through to the next sip.

Put this one away for another 2-3 years to make the most of your investment. Drink 2019-2024+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Re-tasting Notes: Has aged well to this point, but the development ceiling feels as though it has been reached. Youthful tannins have mellowed, as expected, and thankfully, the menthol notes have not faded away and still add depth and intrigue. Overall fruit profile has shifted a bit towards candied from its more brambly beginings. Drink now-2022.

- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Viña Montes 2014 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon - 91pts

Viña Montes 2014 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon (D.O. Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB Signature and private wine stores
Cost: $20-25 +tax
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: December 31st, 2019

Tasting Notes: Actually a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, this dry-farmed, high-altitude beauty offers exceptional value, delivering classic, Cabernet-Merlot aromas and flavours of minty-cassis and smoky-anise. Dry, balanced and food-friendly with impressive depth for the under $25 price tag. Drink now-2022+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

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