SpierHead Winery 2009 Vanguard - 88+pts

SpierHead Winery 2009 Vanguard (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $34.90
Alcohol: 13.6%
Production: 214 cases
Date Tasted: June 13th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Produced from fruit grown on the Black Sage Bench, the 2009 Vanguard, a Bordeaux-styled blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc from new East Kelowna winery SpierHead offers generous ripe blackberry, cassis, vanilla, tobacco, oak and earthy aromas. The palate is silky and serious with smooth tannins and a refined mouth feel. Consulting winemaker Tom Di Bello has shown restraint when it comes to the extraction and alcohol levels resulting in a more elegant presentation than a powerhouse red. Concentrated ripe dark berry fruit is corralled by its fluid texture. Ready to enjoy now, but some bottle aging may show some development in 1-2 more years. Drink 2011-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Chateau Bellevue La Randee 2009 Grand Vin - 88pts

Chateau Bellevue La Randee 2009 Grand Vin (Bordeaux) France

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: June 10th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Far from a wallflower, this intense blend from Bordeaux offers a big nose full of earthy characters and complex aromas of blueberry, cassis, plum, cedar, hazelnut, vanilla, oak and smoke with floral notes and Cabernet Franc funk. The dry palate starts with a vein of sweetness from concentrated dark berries, transforming into a savoury medley of cigar box, oak and tamarind spice flavours. Smooth tannins and tangy acidity will keep this wine drinking well for a few more years but development will be negligible. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Laughing Stock Vineyards 2008 Blind Trust Red - 89pts

Laughing Stock Vineyards 2008 Blind Trust Red (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here. Select private wine shops
Cost: $28.25
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 1120 cases
Date Tasted: September 22nd, 2010

Tasting Notes: The blend of the Blind Trust Red takes a rather dramatic turn in 2008. The Cabernet Sauvignon plummets from 28% down to just 9%. The Cabernet Franc is gone and the Merlot jumps from a "platform" level of 50% to a dominant 78%. The rest of the blend is made up of 13% Malbec. One can only guess that due to lower crop yields in 2008 the winery was forced to reserve all of their best Cabernet for their flagship Bordeaux-inspired wine Portfolio (the 2008 vintage has yet to be released). Regardless, the resulting wine is still a full-bodied, palate-pleaser. A credit to its winemaker David Enns.

The 2008 remains a fruit-forward and powerful wine but it seems more mellow and more restrained than the 2007. Less big tannins and more elegant notes. Dark fruits like plums, blackberry and cassis with vanilla, toasted oak and a just touch of spice. An excellent wine to pair with your favourite grilled meats or hard cheeses. Drink 2010-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010