Bartier Bros. 2021 Rosé - 86pts

Bartier Bros. 2021 Rosé (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: BCLDB stores and direct from the winery here
Cost: $18.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 3402 cases
Date Tasted: May 4th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A dry, refreshing, blended blush produced by combining Gewurztraminer (41%), Chardonnay (30%) and Pinot Gris (25%) with a touch of Syrah (4%) to contribute the needed colour and tannins. Clean and crisp with only 12.5% alcohol, this rosé offers excellent value and plenty of food-pairing possibilities for your Summer, patio parties. Drink now-2014.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Bartier Bros. 2011 Syrah - 89pts

Bartier Bros. 2011 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26.90
Alcohol: 13.2%
Production: 320 cases
Date Tasted: February 5th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A cool, lean, savoury themed Syrah, sourced from the Black Sage Bench, with a masculine profile of blue fruit, peppercorn, mineral, cola, vanilla and light menthol aromas and flavours. A blend of 87% Syrah and 13% Cabernet Franc, this medium bodied wine has a spicy, fluid texture. Tannins are a tad lean, but, well-matched to the liquidity of the dry palate. The finish is mouth-watering with lingering spice-box and smoky tobacco notes. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Bartier Bros. 2011 Merlot - 89pts

Bartier Bros. 2011 Merlot (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26.90
Alcohol: 14.7%
Production: 350 cases
Date Tasted: February 4th, 2015

Tasting Notes: Impressively ripe and juicy for the 2011 vintage, especially for a Merlot under $30. It's expensive to ripen fruit in cooler years due to crop thinning; the practice of leaving fewer grapes on the vine to have a better chance of developing enough sugar in the berries (the measure of brix) to ferment into wine and of reaching full phenolic ripeness in the berry's seeds (counters any greenness in the tannins). The Bartier Bros. Merlot, sourced from a Black Sage Bench vineyard, managed both feats in 2011, though, not entirely on its own, as it were.

This tasty, blackberry pie-infused wine is actually a blend of 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc, the later of which, is mostly perceptible on the nose where floral notes are a welcomed addition to the otherwise, berry and wild herb bouquet. The palate is quite full and smooth, with medium tannins and a gentle roundness to its texture. The berry and herb theme continues through to the finish, though, its licorice, charred oak and spice that linger. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Bartier Bros. 2013 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay - 89pts

Bartier Bros. 2013 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26.90
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 182 cases
Date Tasted: January 11th, 2015

Tasting Notes: Though only "a portion" of this Chardonnay was fermented in 1 year old oak barrels (percentages not listed), the influence of 5 months of lees contact and natural micro-oxygenation shows prominently on the spills-out-of-the-glass intense, yeast'n'toffee-infused nose. Orchard fruit, herbs, citrus peel and smoky flint aromas round-out the complex, developing bouquet.

The palate first takes a savoury turn with herbs, spice and minerals upon entry, then, resolves to showcase citrus fruit, both juicy and tart, through to the tangy and minerally finish. Drink now-2018+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Bartier Bros. 2013 Unoaked Chardonnay - 88pts

Bartier Bros. 2013 Unoaked Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: January 8th, 2015

Tasting Notes: Some unoaked Chardonnay crumble under the weight of the grape's powerful, natural acidity and attack one's palate with reckless abandon. The Bartier Bros. edition spends no time mellowing in oak barrels, yet, delivers a pleasing balance between its rounded, leesy edges and its crisp, mineral-citrus textures and flavour profile. Apple, pear, slate, river stone and grapefruit aromas and flavours are supported by rich custard and brioche notes producing a multi-dimensional wine worthy of traditional oaked Chardonnay food pairings without the concern of dominating, woody flavours. Drink now-through-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Bartier Bros. 2013 Semillon - 89pts

Bartier Bros. 2013 Semillon (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 12.9%
Production: 640 cases
Date Tasted: January 5th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A vibrant and exciting Semillon sourced from the Cerqueira Vineyard along the Black Sage Bench, fermented using only wild yeast in concrete and stainless steel tanks which produced an honest, pure tasting wine with both warm, lees and cool, stonefruit aromas on the nose and a mouth-watering blend of citrus peel, minerals and melon fruit on the palate. The finish is long, despite the crispness, with lingering herb and river rock notes. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Bartier Bros. 2013 Gewurztraminer - 88pts

Bartier Bros. 2013 Gewurztraminer (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $18.90
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 211 cases
Date Tasted: January 4th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A light golden-hued Gewurztraminer that could be the tartest in the valley with subtle tropical and orchard fruit aromas that foreshadow the palate's profile where ample citrus and pineapple acidity balancing the herb-tinged finish dry. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Bartier Bros. 2011 Cerqueira Vineyard Semillon - 86pts

Bartier Bros. 2011 Cerqueira Vineyard Semillon (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Select BCLDB stores
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 11.8%
Date Tasted: January 21st, 2013

Tasting Notes: A fresh and vibrant Semillon produced with zero oak contact and fermented using only wild yeast resulting in an honest and uncomplicated wine to pair with tangy or lush seafood dishes. Finishes a bit short after a tart, though, pleasing palate of honeydew, minerals, pear, lime rind and figs. Drink now-2014.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca