Blackwood Lane 2007 The Referènce - 95+pts

Blackwood Lane 2007 The Referènce (Langley) Fraser Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery and select private wine shops
Cost: $99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 19th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Using all five Bordeaux red varietals and an intricate barrel-aging program, the Blackwood Lane 2007 The Referènce challenges the common meaning of the word "complex". It's a Louis Carroll rabbit hole of complexity, one that you will happily lose your senses to its depth as you quaff and sip this incredible wine. Full-bodied and powerful while remaining whimsical and refined due to its gorgeous expression of dark fruit, toasted oak and ultra-smooth tannins. A long, long finish with lingering spice accompanies every concentrated drop.

Released ready to be enjoyed, this wine will age beautifully for those willing to wait. Drink 2011-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Blackwood Lane 2007 Cabernet Franc - 91pts

Blackwood Lane 2007 Cabernet Franc (Langley) Fraser Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery
Cost: $44
Alcohol: 13.4%
Date Tasted: March 19th, 2011

Tasting Notes: An excellent Cabernet Franc with red berry, cedar, licorice, spice and oak characters whose mid-palate has been filled-out with 10-12% Merlot adding to the excellent and succulent texture. Winemaker Charles Herrold uses whole-berry fermentation in his Cabernet Franc production to bring out concentrated berry flavours which add a perception of sweetness to the fully-dry palate. Round tannins and mellowed acidity due to extended incubation at the winery prior to its release have created a complex and challenging wine that remains fun and easy-drinking. Enjoy now or add to your cellar for further development. Drink 2011-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Blackwood Lane 2009 Pinot Noir - 91-92pts

Blackwood Lane 2009 Pinot Noir (Langley) Fraser Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery
Cost: $44
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: March 19th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Possibly, the quintessential BC Pinot Noir as it requires no "Burgundy-esk" or "Central Otago-like" descriptor. This Pinot is pure BC... and that's a major compliment. An exceptionally well balanced, fruit forward, intense wine that shines on the sensual nose with ripe cherry, raspberry jam, cherry-cola and toasted oak aromas. The dry palate will fool you into thinking it slightly off-dry with its concentrated red berry flavours which show early, only to be complimented by rich savoury oak and spice notes.

Do this wine proud and serve it in a proper Pinot Noir glass to get the full effect of the sophisticated nose and palate - a refinement aided by new French oak and free-run juice. It's drinking beautifully now, so why wait? However, this Pinot does have the specs to age well and improve. Drink 2011-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Blackwood Lane 2008 Vicuna Roja - 88pts

Blackwood Lane 2008 Vicuna Roja (Langley) Fraser Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery
Cost: $24
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 19th, 2011

Tasting Notes: A unique blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot and 10% Malbec, the Blackwood Lane 2008 Vicuna Roja makes for an excellent "entry" wine for a winery who's portfolio boasts some of the most expensive wines in Canada. Should you visit the Langley-based winery with the goal of trying the cult favourites Alliance or The Reference but choose not to part with your cash, the Vicuna Roja will be much more than a token purchase or consolation prize.

This easy-drinking and charming wine offers decent complexity and mouth feel with intense characters of plum, cherry, cedar, spice and oak. The balance is slightly tart making it an excellent choice to spice-up a food pairing of roasted red meats. Very approachable now but will cellar for another 5 years. Drink 2011-16.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Blackwood Lane 2004 Alliance - 95pts

Blackwood Lane 2004 Alliance (Langley) Fraser Valley - BC

Availability: Sold out. Contact winery direct for library release
Cost: $80-90 est
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: December 24th, 2010

Tasting Notes: A complex nose of cassis and other dark fruits mingle on the developing bouquet with aromas of graphite, fig, stewed plums and licorice. The full-bodied palate follows with concentrated dark fruit, plum, cassis, savoury oak flavours and mulled-wine spices. Powerful and intense but not over-extracted with a finish that goes on and on.

This Cabernet Sauvignon-leading blend is still years away from its peak as the wine has aged beautifully and effortlessly. Drinking well now and suggests, with its fine structure of tannins and near perfect balance, it won't peak until 2014 and then hold for further 5 years. Drink 2011-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Blackwood Lane 2007 Merlot 90-92pts

Blackwood Lane 2007 Merlot (Langley) Fraser Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery, select private wine shops
Cost: $40-45
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: April 3rd, 2010

Tasting Notes: Wine lovers who find Merlot boring or incomplete will be happily rewarded with this example from Fraser Valley producer Blackwood Lane. Winemaker Charles Herrold has rounded out the flavours and aromas with a splash of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The result is a more complete experience than drinking a straight varietal.

Big, fruity aromas of dark cherries, toasted oak, milk chocolate, maple syrup, a hint of slate and notes of Cabernet Franc funk await you on the nose. The palate offers intense flavours of dark fruits and oak with strong tannins and acidity which require another year of aging to fully integrate. Drink 2011-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010 (with Hugh Carter)

Blackwood Lane 2006 The Referènce - 95+pts

Blackwood Lane 2006 The Referènce (Langley) Fraser Valley - BC

Availablity: Private wines shops. Direct from winery.

Cost: $90 (winery gate) $105 (private shops)

Alcohol: 14.2%

Date Tasted: March 27th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Aromas of cassis, pencil shavings, baked blueberries, graphite, slate, tobacco and baking spice are so intense they seem to fill-up the room. Concentrated flavours of dark fruits, cherry nibs and savory toasted-oak greet you on the full-bodied palate whose exquisite, silky-smooth texture simply makes you smile. A very long, balanced finish completes the experience.

The backbone of this free-run juice, Bordeaux-style blend is the fabulous and refined Cabernet Sauvignon from the U2 block of the Nk'Mip vineyard in Osoyoos grown under the direction of Sam Baptiste. The winemaker, Charles Herrold, then adds elements of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot to the blend as a master painter would mix oils on his palate to create the perfect colour. To complete his masterpiece, only new French oak from four of the best forests is used and the wine is aged separately. Each forest imparts a unique characteristic to the final blend.

This attention to detail and use of elite components is all done to add complexity to the wine. Time must be taken with this wine to fully appreciate the complexity as it changes in the glass revealing hidden layers and clues to its secrets. It's an experience to drink The Referènce, Canada's most expensive, and possibly best, table wine.

This elegant wine has been structured to last a long time with its good acidity and fine tannins. However, you may find it hard to lock up in your cellar and forget about it - this wine, once tasted, stays on your mind. If you do choose to cellar, have confidence that it will last 10+ years. Drink now through 2018.
 - Liam Carrier

Blackwood Lane 2008 Vicuña Blanca - 87.5pts

Blackwood Lane 2008 Vicuña Blanca (Langley) Fraser Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. Private wine shops in BC
Cost: $19
Alcohol: 12.8%
Date Tasted: January 31st, 2010

Tasting Notes: Top Fraser Valley producer Blackwood Lane focuses most of its energy on their exquisite "Sommelier Series" wines but also offer two excellent house blends: Vicuña Roja and Vicuña Blanca.

The Vicuña Blaca is a tasty blend of Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chenin Blanc and Gewurztraminer which offer aromas and flavours of grapefruit, apricot and blossoms with good minerality. Crisp, refreshing acidity on the palate with a long, liguring finish makes this a great wine for a sunny, summer afternoon or to pair with spicy food. Ready to drink now.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Blackwood Lane 2005 Merlot - 91pts

Blackwood Lane 2005 Merlot (Langley) Fraser Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. Select private wine shops

Cost: $35-40

Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: January 2nd, 2010

Tasting Notes: At five years of age this excellent and exotic Merlot from Fraser Valley producer Blackwood Lane is peaking now yet shows little sign of slowing down imminently. A lovely aged medium garnet colour in the glass, this Merlot flirts with your senses offering developed aromas of cherries, tobacco, licorice and toasted oak on the nose.

The medium-plus bodied palate offers developed flavours of vanilla, cherries, plum, lipstick, nibs and pencil shavings. The fully integrated and mellowed tannins help create a seductive texture and add to the very long finish that rests confidently in your mouth. If you can get your hands on a bottle do so and sit down for a meal of mesquite flavoured grilled red meat and braised veggies. Drink now. 2010-2013.
 - Liam Carrier

http://www.blackwoodlanewinery.com/

Blackwood Lane 2006 Alliance - 94pts

Blackwood Lane 2006 Alliance (Langley) Fraser Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. Private fine wine shops

Cost: $60-75

Alcohol: 14.3%

Date Tasted: August , 2009

Tasting Notes: Winner of Icon Wines' "Wine of the Year" award for 2009, this Bordeaux-style red blend is a phenomenal wine full of complexity and flavour.

Produced from Southern Okanagan valley grapes, this meritage blend of 58.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 12.5% Cabernet Franc offers youthful aromas of cassis, vanilla, dark fruits and leather. The smooth-as-silk palate offers youthful flavours of cassis, plums, chocolate, roasted coffee beans and cooking spice. This wine has near-perfect acidity and tannin structure which will allow it to age beautifully for 10-15 years - outstanding for a wine from British Columbia.

Despite the aging potential, the wine is approachable now and could be served comfortably on its own or with a fine cut of red meet or lamb in a simple, savoury sauce. This premium Canadian wine will be one to watch as its distribution and reputation increases. - LC

Blackwood Lane 2005 Vicuna Roja - 88pts

Blackwood Lane 2005 Vicuna Roja (Southern Okanagan) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Sold out at the winery. Private wine stores

Cost: $24.00

Date Tasted: November 7th

Tasting Notes: Blackwood Lane is a winery any wine lover should know. While the wines are not widely available, these are worth going out of your way for. Their winery is located in Langley BC and conversations with Carlos are always great. The Vicuna Roja is the product of the quality control and perfectionism of this winery. While trying to put together a Pinot Noir for the winery it did not come out to the standard of Carlos and Charles. The end result is a Pinot Noir blend which is quite rare and quite beautiful.

The appearence is ruby with a concentrated core. the nose exhibits dill notes, caramel and candied strawberries. These notes continue onto the pallate with some pepper and slight cassis. The finish is medium plus. Overall this blend is well balanced, fresh, and straight forward. HC

Blackwood Lane 2005 Chardonnay - 88pts

Blackwood Lane 2005 Chardonnay (Southern Okanagan) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery

Cost: $19.00

Alcohol: 13.9%

Date Tasted: October 17th, 2009

Tasting Notes: Blackwood Lane will only make a couple of wines each vintage: their fabulous Bordeaux blends "Alliance" and their flagship "Reference". To produce their other wines they use whatever grapes they can secure that meet their very high standards. As the quality of the source grapes and availability changes each year they are not able to offer the same flight of wines each year. Such is the case for their 2005 Chardonnay which has yet to see another vintage.

The 2005 Chardonnay is a butter-bomb tour-de-force. On the nose you get an intense bouquet of butter and oak with some orchard fruit notes and minerality. On the palate this gold-straw hued wine offers more oak and butter flavours with good acidity and pear, apple and slate notes.

Pair with butternut squash and ricotta ravioli with pesto sauce (add a bit of the Chardonnay to the sauce, yum). This wine is peaking now and should be enjoyed within a year. - LC