Backyard Vineyards N/V Blanc De Noir Brut - 87pts

Backyard Vineyards N/V Blanc De Noir Brut (Okanagan Valley) - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $22.99
Alcohol: 11.2%
Date Tasted: December 5th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Backyard Vineyards' Blanc De Noir is a traditional example of a sparkling wine made from 100% Pinot Noir offering a light, yellow-gold hue and fat, persistent bubbles. On the nose you'll find an array of aromas ranging from sweet citrus fruit to fresh brioche with light nutty notes and a touch of brine.

The palate offers good continuity with a creamy, mousse mouth feel and crisp acidity which leaves the finish dry and mineral-y - true to the Brut designation. A solid, no-nonsense bubbly for Holiday entertaining or as a cool refreshment in the height of Summer's heat. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Backyard Vineyards 2012 Riesling - 87pts

Backyard Vineyards 2012 Riesling (Okanagan Valley) - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 12.8%
Date Tasted: October 8th, 2013

Tasting Notes: There's a concentration on the nose and palate of this Riesling from Langley producer Backyard Vineyards that harkens to the intensity of partially botrytis infected fruit producing rich apple, papaya and lime aromas and flavours. The off-dry palate also boasts a full-ish texture balanced nicely by citrus acidity, that carries through to the moderate finish with hints of lingering spice. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Backyard Vineyards 2012 Gewurztraminer - 86pts

Backyard Vineyards 2012 Gewurztraminer (Okanagan Valley) - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $14.99
Alcohol: 13.3%
Date Tasted: September 24th, 2013

Tasting Notes: A near colourless, easy-going Gewurztraminer with a light, candied and perfumed nose of sweet lychee, orange blossom and white peach aromas. Palate offers a nice, creamy texture with some bright orchard fruit acidity and flavours popping through. Simple, pleasing patio and lunchtime wine. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Backyard Vineyards 2012 Nosey Neighbour White - 86pts

Backyard Vineyards 2012 Nosey Neighbour White (Okanagan Valley) - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $14.99
Alcohol: 13.4%
Date Tasted: September 18th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Nosey Neighbour, Backyard Vineyards' easy-going blend of Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sigerrebe and Gewurztraminer, has benefited from the warm 2012 growing season resulting in heightened aromatics on the nose and ripe, tropical fruit on the dry, mouth watering palate. Not overly complex, though, a nice vein of citrus fruit adds texture and freshness. Finish is moderate, but well-balanced. Drink now-2014.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Backyard Vineyards 2011 Syrah - 88pts

Backyard Vineyards 2011 Syrah (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $21.99
Alcohol: 13.2%
Date Tasted: September 17th, 2013

Tasting Notes: An all-round pleaser, from the masculine, peppery and black cherry-infused nose enhanced with toasted oak notes, through to the well balanced, dry palate offering good continuity of flavours with added ripe plum and spice box notes. Finish is a tad short and the tannins are of the easy-going, drink now variety, but the relaxed style works in its favour. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2013

Backyard Vineyards 2012 Sauvignon Blanc - 85pts

Backyard Vineyards 2012 Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Valley) - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $16.99
Alcohol: 13.6%
Date Tasted: September 10th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Grapefruit, grass and light tropical fruit greet you on the nose of this easy-going, food-friendly dinner companion for fish dishes. Not an overtly intense or tangy Sauvignon Blanc, but offers some good typicity for the variety. Finishes pleasantly dry with some residual sugar balanced nicely by the citrus acidity, though, the palate suffers a bit from out-of-skew ratio of alcohol to weight - just a tad "hot". Drink 2013-2014.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Neck of the Woods Winery 2011 Backyard Vineyards Nosey Neighbour White - 85pts

Neck of the Woods Winery 2011 Backyard Vineyards Nosey Neighbour White - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $14.99
Alcohol: 12.1%
Date Tasted: July 11th, 2012

Tasting Notes: An easy-going, well-priced blend of 61% Pinot Gris, 17% Riesling, 17% Sigerrebe and 5% Gewurztraminer from both the Okanagan and Fraser Valleys with the Pinot Gris providing the main flavour characteristics while the other grapes help enhance the overall presentation. Green apples, pears and a healthy dose of citrus fruit make the nose cheerful and pleasant. The palate is a little thin and bit acidic, needing a solid food pairing like a rich and lemony seafood salad to improve the short finish. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Neck of the Woods Winery 2010 Backyard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - 87pts

Neck of the Woods Winery 2010 Backyard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: July 11th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The Backyard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is a happy surprise with decent varietal expression - especially for a cool vintage, and with pleasant drinkability -especially for the price. Striking a good balance between sweet dark fruit and savoury oak and vegetal characters resulting in a wine that delivers the structure you want from a Cabernet Sauvignon without the lofty price point and without resorting to added sugar to boost-up the body. This wine is fairly lean and focused and would make a great partner for a plate of hard cheeses and dark chocolate. Drink now-2014.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Neck of the Woods Winery 2011 Backyard Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc - 85pts

Neck of the Woods Winery 2011 Backyard Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Valley) - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: July 6th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This Sauvignon Blanc opens with a fresh nose of grass, unripe mango, cantaloupe and light grapefruit aromas. The crisp, tangy yet watery palate follows with pear, lemon/lime and grapefruit flavours. The finish ends a bit abruptly and "hot" as the concentration of the flavours doesn't completely balance the alcohol. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Neck of the Woods Winery 2010 Backyard Vineyards Syrah - 87pts

Neck of the Woods Winery 2010 Backyard Vineyards Syrah (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 14.7%
Date Tasted: July 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: This is a Rhone style Syrah, hence the French version of the name, that offers a masculine, cool-climate expression of the peppery grape. The appealing nose boasts layers of spice and oak with black cherry fruit supporting. The dry, chalky palate follows with good continuity of flavours from the nose yet with a balance that finishes a tad tart. Has the tannins and flavour profile to pair with a Sunday roast or a juicy, peppercorn encrusted steak - definitely a red meat wine. Tasting a bit tight and closed today: nothing a further 6 months in bottle wouldn't cure nicely. Drink 2013-2015.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Neck of the Woods Winery 2010 Backyard Vineyards Merlot - 85pts

Neck of the Woods Winery 2010 Backyard Vineyards Merlot (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $16.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: June 26th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The sweet, juicy, fruit-puree nose of this Merlot offers aromas of blackberry and blueberry with a hint of licorise and dry herbs. A great start. The dry palate follows with similar dark berry fruit flavours and decent tannin structure but finishes with lingering bitterness. Reasonable complexity for the price but not enough to warrant being consumed by itself - serve with a hearty roast or sweet BBQ ribs and its best qualities with stand out. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Neck of the Woods Winery 2011 Backyard Vineyards Pinot Gris - 85pts

Neck of the Woods Winery 2011 Backyard Vineyards Pinot Gris - BC VQA

Availability: VQA stores and here
Cost: $15.99
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: June 21st, 2012

Tasting Notes: As a blend of fruit from multiple regions this Pinot Gris aims for varietal typicity more than regional identity and succeeds moderately well for the price. Bosc pear, lemon rind and cashew nut aromas greet you on the friendly, subtle nose. The fruit-forward, dry palate follows with apple and pear flavours and a watery texture that's mostly saved with a generous amount of acid. The finish is moderate with lingering citrus fruit and light spice. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012