JoieFarm 2020 A Noble Blend - 89pts

JoieFarm 2020 A Noble Blend (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB stores and VQA stores
Cost: $24 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.6%
Date Tasted: August 24th, 2022
@JoieFarm

Tasting Notes: Though best served chilled to highlight its crispness and texture, this is a wine that can sit in your glass and evolve. The pleasant aromatics work at any temperature but the palate grows more exotic as it warms, mixing stone fruit and citrus characters with lush, Tropical fruit. Spice lingers on the lemon peel-kissed finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2018 A Noble Blend - 90pts

JoieFarm 2018 A Noble Blend (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB stores and VQA stores
Cost: $22.52 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.6%
Production: 4780 cases
Date Tasted: August 13th, 2019
@JoieFarm

Tasting Notes: The 2018 edition of A Noble Blend stays pretty consistent with recent vintages of the (lightly) off-dry, food-friendly wine, though, last year Pinot Blanc was missing and it has now been returned to the fold. The final blend is 47% Gewurztraminer, 31% Riesling, 9% Pinot Auxerrois, 8% Pinot Blanc and 4% Muscat sourced from Naramata Bench, Summerland and East Kelowna vineyards, as per usual.

Though best served chilled to highlight its crispness and texture, this is a wine that can sit in your glass and evolve. The pleasant aromatics work at any temperature but the palate grows more exotic as it warms, mixing stone fruit and citrus characters with lush, Tropical fruit. Spice lingers on the lemon peel-kissed finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2017 A Noble Blend - 89pts

JoieFarm 2017 A Noble Blend (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB stores and VQA stores
Cost: $25.90 including taxes
Alcohol: 12.6%
Production: 5779 cases
Date Tasted: May 1st, 2018
@JoieFarm

Tasting Notes: JoieFarm's flagship blend of 49% Gewurztraminer, 32% Riesling, 9% Pinot Auxerrois and 4% Muscat sourced from Naramata Bench, Summerland and East Kelowna vineyards is decidedly dryer for the 2017 vintage with a refreshing and aromatic nose giving way to citrus-infused, mouth-watering palate. 

There is good complexity and texture on offer with layers of spices and herbs and exotic fruits beyond the upfront grapefruit and stonefruit aromas and flavours. Further development is possible, though, the lack of residual sugar may limit its potential (and its effectiveness at taming sun-drenched decks). Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2016 A Noble Blend - 90pts

JoieFarm 2016 A Noble Blend (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB stores and VQA stores
Cost: $23.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.6%
Production: 6341 cases
Date Tasted: April 8th, 2017
@JoieFarm

Tasting Notes: Opens with a delectable nose of Tropical, citrus and orchard fruit aromas with a touch of clove and stonefruit supporting. This well-balanced, off-dry blend of 38% Gewurztraminer, 37% Riesling , 11% Pinot Blanc, 8% Pinot Auxerrois and 5% Muscat delivers an irresistible combination of tangy citrus and ripe exotic fruit, minerals and herbs. Light, spicy notes linger on the moderate-plus finish with traces of citrus peel and hay.

Further development is possible. Hold for another 2-3 years but not much longer than that. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2015 A Noble Blend - 91pts

JoieFarm 2015 A Noble Blend (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB stores and VQA stores
Cost: $23.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 6000 cases
Date Tasted: April 27th, 2016
@JoieFarm

Tasting Notes: Primarily a Gewurztraminer-Riesling blend (47%-32% respectively) with smaller portions of Pinot Auzerrois, Pinot Blanc and a splash of Muscat and Schoenberger; an artful assemblage seeking balance and joy. JoieFarm's flagship wine fulfils its purpose and will put a smile on the face of even the most serious of curmudgeons thanks to its irresistible combination of off-dry Tropical-exotic fruit, tangy citrus acidity, cool mineral and savoury herb notes.

Less unctuous than previous vintages from warmer seasons, the 2014 is all about balance and sits effortlessly, though not anonymously, on the palate. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2014 A Noble Blend - 91pts

JoieFarm 2014 A Noble Blend (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $23.90
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 5328 cases
Date Tasted: August 16th, 2015
@JoieFarm

Tasting Notes: A complex, layered, Tropical and citrus fruit infused blend of 38% Gewurztraminer, 30% Riesling, 16% Pinot Auxerrois, 8% Pinot Blanc, 7% Muscat and 1% Schoenberger. Mineral, herb and light spice notes follow the fruit on both the charming nose and the unctuous'yet'crisp finishing palate. This wine is consistently exceptional and the 2014 vintage is no different. Truly a joy to drink. Enjoy it on its own or with a succulent, crab or lobster salad. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2013 A Noble Blend - 91pts

JoieFarm 2013 A Noble Blend (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $23.90
Alcohol: 12.9%
Production: 6236 cases, 486 magnums, 90 double magnums
Date Tasted: May 12th, 2014

Tasting Notes: JoieFarm's A Noble Blend draws inspiration from the Gentil blends of Alsace, France, which, for the most part, combine the region's traditional Germanic varieties into easily-accessible, entry-level, uncomplicated table wines. JoieFarm takes the concept of this humble wine and turns it on its head to produce a premium blend that has become the Naramata Bench winery's flagship label.

The 2013 edition is predominately a Gewurztraminer-Riesling blend (at 45% and 38%, respectively) with the balance being 8% Pinot Auxerrois, 4% Pinot Blanc, 3% Muscat and 1% Schoenberger. Tropical, citrus and pear fruit hit you first in the form of vibrant aromas and intensely sweet flavours. Then, the wine's secondary and tertiary layers appear as waves of crisp acidity and lingering spice; adding balance and complexity. This wine is a joy to drink. Enjoy it on its own or with a succulent, crab salad. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2012 A Noble Blend - 92pts

JoieFarm 2012 A Noble Blend (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $23.90
Alcohol: 12.7%
Production: 4236 cases, 486 magnums, 90 double magnums
Date Tasted: April 12th, 2013

Tasting Notes: After two cooler vintages JoieFarm's flagship wine returns to its opulent roots with the release of the 2012 edition. Delivering rich, complex flavours of tropical fruit, apples, lime rind and clove spice on the off-dry, vibrant palate and delicate aromas of kiwi fruit, lychee and peaches on the delightful nose. The art of assemblage is on display with this blend of 35% Gewurztraminer, 29% Riesling, 17% Pinot Blanc, 12% Pinot Auxerrois, 4% Schoenberger and 3% Muscat with each component contributing its own coloured tile to the larger mosaic, creating a complete and rewarding experience. This may be a vintage to hold on to for further development, but not for too long. Another 2-3 years tops. Drink now-2016.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2011 A Noble Blend - 91pts

JoieFarm 2011 A Noble Blend (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $23.90
Alcohol: 12.7%
Production: 3467 cases, 486 magnums
Date Tasted: April 8th, 2012

Tasting Notes: For the second year in a row the blend for the JoieFarm flagship wine remains a Riesling-Gewurztraminer leading concoction of exotic fruit characters and well-balanced, refreshing acidity. The final blend is 38% Riesling, 33% Gewurztraminer, 14% Pinot Blanc, 11% Pinot Auxerrois and 4% Schoenberger, yet the key ingredient is the balance of acid to residual sugar that JoieFarm pulls-off consistently each year no matter which varieties are used or from where they are sourced. A winemaker's wine that, yes, starts with good fruit in the vineyard, but really comes together in the winery during assemblage. Enjoy this wine in its youth as it is drinking beautifully today. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca