Black Hills Estate Winery 2017 Pinot Noir - 87pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2017 Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Wine club exclusive. See winery for details here
Cost: $39.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: March 27th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A new edition to the portfolio, this playful, rounded Pinot Noir is exclusive to wine club members and sourced from Naramata Bench vineyards offering a youthful nose of black cherry ice cream and raspberry seed aromas followed by a smooth, medium-bodied palate where some classic, earthy Pinot characters support its red fruit components. A touch of toasted herbs notes linger on the moderate finish. Drink 2019-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2017 Addendum - 90pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2017 Addendum (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Wine club exclusive. See winery for details here
Cost: $49.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: March 12th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Black Hills new Addendum is its Right Bank inspired, Merlot-dominant cousin to their flagship, and Left Bank influenced, Nota Bene. Dark and broody with an inky-black, violet core and a masculine-leaning profile of black cherry, cassis, mint, dark chocolate, herbs and French vanilla. Full bodied and concentrated with fine, medium tannins, good acidity and decent length. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2017 Chardonnay - 90pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2017 Chardonnay (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 2nd, 2019

Tasting Notes: A nicely balanced, cool-climate Chardonnay with expressive, orchard and stone fruit characters happily married to a touch of oak and MLF aromas and flavours. The palate is generous and round with fresh white peach and lime rind acidity forming a vibrant finish where a hint of spice, clove mostly, lingers with mineral notes. Drink 2019-2021+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Tempranillo - 89pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Tempranillo (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Wine club only. Visit winery website here
Cost: $59.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: December 14th, 2018

Tasting Notes: The Spanish variety Tempranillo is the third most planted grape in the world but is not widely grown in BC. In some of the warmer, dryer pockets of the Southern Okanagan it is popping up a little more frequently as wineries experiment with purchased grapes from the few established Tempranillo vineyards or with their own plantings.

The Black Hills example is a medium-everything wine with mannered tannins, acidity and intensity - well balanced, to be sure, and never showy. The nose and palate play host to a sensual ballet of blue fruit and spice aromas and flavours playing off one another, enhancing the experience. Pepper and a touch of charred oak linger in the long finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Ipso Facto - 89pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Ipso Facto (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Sold out
Cost: $49.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: December 11th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A new addition to the Black Hills portfolio, the Ipso Facto is a aromatic, feminine and hedonistic, Syrah dominant blend with 25% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon contributing some mid-palate body, mixed-berry notes and a touch of texture to an otherwise, low-tannin, ultra-smooth wine. Look for some sun-warmed, super-ripe, black cherry fruit throughout, with white pepper spice and roasted capsicum notes lingering on the moderate, plump finish. Structured to be enjoyed now with lean, rare cuts of beef. Drink 2019-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Syrah - 89-91pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $39.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: November 1st, 2018

Tasting Notes: A dark and brooding Syrah, in its youth, with concentrated aromas of black cherry, peppercorn, tobacco leaf, mint, tar, oak spice and a hint of violets which should develop more prominently as it ages (as previous vintages have done). Palate is both juicy and dense with black and blue fruits complimented nicely by savoury notes, smoky, moderate tannins and waves of pepper, clove and tangy acidity.

Needs another 2-3 years in bottle to blossom. Drink 2020-2025.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2017 Alias - 90pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2017 Alias (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.7%
Date Tasted: September 9th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Aiming for the "quintessential patio sipper", Black Hills hits the mark with their new label, Alias, a harmonious blend of 30% Riesling, 28% Pinot Blanc, 19% Gewurztraminer, 9% Schoenburger, 8% Muscat and 6% Ehrenfelser that combines an aromatic, delicate fruit-infused nose with a vibrant, off-dry palate of ripe'n'tart orchard fruit and a kiss of slate and spice on the moderate-plus finish. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2017 Viognier - 88pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2017 Viognier (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.7%
Date Tasted: September 6th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Offers good typicity for the variety with exotic Tropical and sweet orchard fruit represented on the nose and palate with added ginger, mineral and spice notes throughout. Lighter in body and length this year, by just a touch, yet, finishes with a satisfying snap of crisp, nectarine acidity. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Nota Bene - 91-92pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Nota Bene (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Sold out at the winery, though, private wine shops have it in stock
Cost: $59.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 21st, 2018

Tasting Notes: The 2016 vintage of the iconic, single-vineyard Nota Bene sticks with the recent Cab Sauv leading recipe, though, this year the final blend is nearly an even partnership with Merlot with Cabernet Franc playing a supporting, aroma-lifting role (43.5% CS, 40% M and 14.5% CF). 

Ready earlier than recent releases, this beautiful, fruit-forward wine boasts layers of dark fruit, licorice, sage, incense, vanilla, mocha, mint, toasted oak and earthiness on the developing bouquet and the well-integrated, berry-sweetened, long-lasting palate.

Further development is coming, but you can dive into this complex wine this year and over the following decade. Drink 2019-2026+
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Cellar Hand Red - 89pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Cellar Hand Red (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores and direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.2%
Date Tasted: June 13th, 2018
@blackhillswine

Tasting Notes: Sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next dinner party, this blend of 67% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carmenere and 6% Syrah is a social-friendly wine with ripe, red and dark berry notes on the engaging nose and the slightly off-dry palate and warmed by nicely integrated layers of spice, alcohol and soft, silky tannins.

A drink-now vintage of the Baby Bene. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Carmenere - 91pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Carmenere (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Wine club members only. Details here
Cost: $59.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.1%
Date Tasted: June 7th, 2018
@blackhillswine

Tasting Notes: Carmenere, in the hands of Black Hills, is consistently an intriguing mix of perfumed femininity and earthy masculinity. The nose and palate appear, simultaneously, both at odds with one another and intuitively linear. There is a rawness and power to the spicy, earthy palate and a seductive, femme fetale quality to the sweet berries'n'veg scented nose. You wouldn't expect the combination to work, but it does and this unlikely pairing is one of the reasons this wine is so beloved by the winery's wine club members (the wine's sole patrons). Ready to go now or hold for 2-3 mores years. Drink 2018-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca 

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Roussanne - 88pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Roussanne (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $29.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.9%
Date Tasted: June 6th, 2018
@blackhillswine

Tasting Notes: A textural experience, this youthful Roussanne weaves layers of tangy citrus, prickly ginger and plump stone fruit together with a flood of mannered spice into an intriguing, dry, Summer sipper with a well-balanced, though, slightly short finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2018-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2017 Alibi - 88pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2017 Alibi (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA and private wine stores
Cost: $24.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: June 4th, 2018
@blackhillswine

Tasting Notes: Now in its 15th year, Black Hill's Alibi is ever changing, adapting to the vintage conditions, with the 2017 producing a leaner, crisper blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon (an 80/20 split) with plenty of texture and aromatic fruit on the grassy, stone fruit infused nose and on the zesty/lemony, dry'n'mineral-y palate. Pair with seafood and citrus-y salads and avoid rich, spicy dishes like Pad Thai. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2017 Rosé - 90pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2017 Rosé (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: May 31st, 2018

Tasting Notes: Following the success of their first rosé in 2016, Black Hills' 2nd vintage is even better and now more readily available. Both perfumed and fruity on the nose with a susurrus of sweet and tangy pink grapefruit notes supporting. 

Using the saignée method, this 100% Pinot Noir blush gets enough skin contact to acquire enhanced textural layers of grape flesh and tannins with some body coming from a pinch of residual sugar. This complex structure compliments the strawberry-citrus and rhubarb-herb profile nicely. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon - 95pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not Yet released.. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $TBA
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: January 27th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Likely to be limited to the wine club only, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine may be the best reason ever to join such a club with its out-of-this-world depth of flavour, rarely seen in a BC Cab. Both sensual and powerful on the nose with deep, minty dark chocolate, pure cassis liqueur, cordial cherry and nutmeg aromas. 

The ultra fine tannin palate is equally intense and layered with similar flavours of menthol, cocoa, cassis, kirsch and spice, The long, long finish offers additional notes of vanilla, toasted oak and sweet, blackberry acidity. Truly divine.

Enjoy now with plenty of decanting or hold for another 3-4 years. Drink 2018-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca 

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Chardonnay - 89pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $30 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.7%
Date Tasted: January 20th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Both rich and vibrant and anchored with baby bear levels of oak (just right) on the vanilla and peach cream scented nose and on the orchard'n'citrus fruit infused palate. Layers of mineral, blossom and spice add depth throughout. Clove, pear and ever-so-slightly bitter lemon zest notes linger on the long finish. Drink 2018-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2015 Roussanne - 87pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2015 Roussanne (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: TBA
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: January 13th, 2018

Tasting Notes: This (nearly) off-dry Roussanne makes an intriguing addition to the Black Hills portfolio, offering a blend of fresh, unpasteurized honey, apricot, canned peach, coconut flesh and stewed carrot aromas on the nose with a similar cacophony of flavours on the mouth-watering'yet'creamy palate where additional notes of spicy ginger and cinnamon applesauce present themselves. The finish is a little short and watering after the spice and stone fruit notes fade.

Sealed with a Stelvin cap enclosure to prolong the natural freshness of this Roussanne. Pair with undressed pork chops served with fava beans and theme-betrothed, cinnamon-infused applesauce. Ready to go now. Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Viognier - 89+pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Viognier (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: December 30th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Black Hills have dialed in their Viognier program delivering a focused wine with both plump, Tropical fruit and lean, refreshing citrus characters that make it a great pairing for rich, spicy soups and seafood dishes. Look for subtle notes of white flowers on the pleasant nose and fresh, tangy apricots on the palate. The finish is long with lingering clove and aniseed spice. Could improve with further cellaring. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2015 Syrah - 92+pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2015 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $36.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: November 4th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Fantastical concentration in this Black Sage Bench sourced Syrah with deep, black cherry and sensual, floral aromas on the generous nose and oak-kissed layers of black cherry, mint, pepper, tobacco and blood orange flavours on the smoky, fine tannin palate. Simply gorgeous. Drink 2018-2025.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2015 Chardonnay - 87-88pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2015 Chardonnay (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here, select VQA and private stores.
Cost: $30 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.8%
Date Tasted: September 4th, 2017

Tasting Notes: All of the elements of a classic, oaked BC Chardonnay are present, vibrant orchard fruit with undertones of vanilla, spice and oak, though, the integration of each component has yet to truly gel. Once it does, this will be a vivacious wine with layers of ripe fruit, refreshing acidity, spice and minerals. Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca