Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon - 91+pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Website here
Cost: $43 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: July 5th, 2023
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: An elegant and smooth Cabernet Sauvignon with a sensual nose of both dark berry fruits and savoury spices and a delicate susón of cedar planks and olives. The similarly flavoured, dry palate offers a heightened presence of its fruit component and beautiful, silky tannins. The finish is long and effortlessly acidic. Pair with a modestly seasoned filet mignon. Ready to go now or hold for another 3-4 years for some continued development. Drink 2023-2027+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2023 IconWines.ca

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Cabernet Sauvignon - 88pts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Cabernet Sauvignon (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: November 11th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A dark and broody Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the highest altitude vineyard in Oliver, Quails Wayside. This inky wine is dark in every way from the colour to the black fruit and charred oak on the nose and through to the similarly-flavoured palate enhanced with more darkness; blackened spices and charcoal tannins. There's a Lars von Trier, relentlessly dark quality at work here that won't appeal to those who want more of an approachable, robust-yet-refined approach to Cabernet Sauvignon, but, that style is hard to consistently produce in BC. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Uko Select Vineyards 2018 Riserva Cabernet Sauvignon - 90pts

Uko Select Vineyards 2018 Riserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $14.99-17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 19th, 2022

Tasting Notes: An under $20 Cabernet Sauvignon with this much depth and balance should not be possible, but the Uko Select Vineyards brand makes it happen, year-to-year. What the wine lacks in refinement, it makes up for in character and intensity without resorting to tons of added sugar for a faux-richness like too many Cabernet of the same price range from California. The Uko is dense and intense without feeling over-extracted or heavy.

Look for classic dark fruit, throughout, with rustic, crushed-violets and savoury, tobacco and spices on the nose. Finishes dry with a delicious wave of lingering, wild berry acidity making this a very food-friendly Cabernet. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Fairview Cellars 2016 Premier Series Cabernet Sauvignon - 92pts

Fairview Cellars 2016 Premier Series Cabernet Sauvignon (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Contact winery directly here
Cost: $55 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.8%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: March 10th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Uber-smooth and gaining femininity as it ages, the 2016 Premier Series Cabernet Sauvignon from Fairview is coming into its own at 6-years-old, showing both delicate and powerful aromas on the elegant nose and integrated flavours on the refined, long-lasting palate. Look for a profile of mellowed, ripe dark fruit infused with sagebrush, supportive oak and sensual notes of menthol and cola. Drink now-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2017 The Aristocrat - 92+pts

Cassini Cellars 2018 The Aristocrat (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40 + taxes (est.)
Alcohol: 14.9%
Production: 275 cases
Date Tasted: October 27th, 2021

Tasting Notes: An excellent expression of The Aristocrat from Oliver's Cassini Cellars which has long been a source of exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon in the Okanagan Valley. The 2018 is true to its roots and to its vintage with plenty of its signature mint and Fig Newton cookie aromas and flavours and with a slightly harder, masculine edge. The oak influence is near perfect and supports the ripe fruit, creating a firm, yet, refined structure and adding plenty of texture. 

Pair this beauty with a lean, mean tenderloin of beef and decant for several hours. Drink now or hold for further integration and development. Drink 2023-2028.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2017 Collector's Series Cabernet Sauvignon - 91pts

Cassini Cellars 2017 Collector's Series Cabernet Sauvignon (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Directly from the winery's site here
Cost: $36 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.7%
Date Tasted: November 6th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Seductive, dark and sexy, this is a Femme Fatale of a Cabernet with a developing bouquet of ripe cassis fruit, minty cocoa, sweet pipe smoke and light, perfume notes. A smooth palate follows with refined, elegant tannins, lingering spice and similar flavours - truly, quite impressive continuity from the nose. Ready to go now and should make a fine pairing for leaner cuts of beef or venison. Drink now-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2016 The Aristocrat - 92pts

Cassini Cellars 2016 The Aristocrat (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 15.2%
Production: 300 cases
Date Tasted: December 4th, 2018

Re-Tasted: November 4th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Another stellar vintage of the complex, long-lasting, single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon known as The Aristocrat. Balanced and ripe, the 2016 shows excellent typicity for the label with telltale notes of mint and Fig Newton nicely integrated into the dark fruit and oak influence layers on the masculine, invigorating nose and the full-bodied, beautifully structured palate.

Would benefit from another 1-2 years in bottle to mature further. With more prominent tannins than its Collector's Series cousin, this Cab is ready to take on more marbled cuts of beef like a fine, charred, rib eye steak. Drink 2020-2026.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Re-Tasting Notes: Coming into its own just as its drinking window opens. Tannins have mellowed and integrated beautifully. Mint notes are still deliciously prominent with a touch of licorice and charcoal now showing on the finish.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Rust Wine Co. 2019 Rosé - 89pts

Rust Wine Co. 2019 Rosé (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $22 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.9%
Date Tasted: April 8th, 2020

Tasting Notes: The Rust Wine Co. rosé jumps to the Okanagan Valley for the 2019 edition, using Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the winery's young, South Rock Vineyard along the Golden Mile Bench. Though likely destined for red wine production when it comes of age, this new vineyard is producing a delicious blush in the meantime.

Off-dry, overall, yet beautifully balanced to finish near-dry with plenty of lip-smacking, bright raspberry and tangy, wild berry acidity. Red fruit flavours, a touch of tannin and a smattering of herbs and spice make this wine a perfect companion to complex salads or poke rice bowls. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca 

Undurraga 2017 T.H. Cabernet Sauvignon - 93+pts

Undurraga 2017 T.H. Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley) Chile

Availability: Private stores like Everything Wine
Cost: $44-50
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: April 2nd, 2020
Production: 3158 cases

Tasting Notes: A fresh and vibrant alternative to your pricey, uber-extracted (and, occasionally, overly-serious) California Cab and to the hibernating Bordeaux in your cellar which you aren't yet ready to open, the Undurraga 'T.H.' (standing for Terroir Hunter) delivers the depth and concentration you desire from Cabernet Sauvignon, without the wait or the hefty price.

All darkiddy-dark on the licorice, cassis, eucalyptus and black pepper scented nose and the similarly flavoured, oh-so-long lasting palate. Touch of smokey tannin, pepper and blackberry puree linger through to the next sip. Ready to go now or hold for some further development. Drink 2020-2024.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Viña Montes 2014 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon - 91pts

Viña Montes 2014 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon (D.O. Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB Signature and private wine stores
Cost: $20-25 +tax
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: December 31st, 2019

Tasting Notes: Actually a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, this dry-farmed, high-altitude beauty offers exceptional value, delivering classic, Cabernet-Merlot aromas and flavours of minty-cassis and smoky-anise. Dry, balanced and food-friendly with impressive depth for the under $25 price tag. Drink now-2022+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

KWV Winery 2017 Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - 87pts

KWV Winery 2017 Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $15.99-18.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: December 10th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Dusty, smoky and very well priced, this is a savoury Cabernet Sauvignon with plenty of herbs and spices, but not completely void of fruit thanks to a vein of toasted black fruit running through the feminine nose and dry palate. Pair with smoky'n'sweet dried meats or a charcuterie plate. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Fairview Cellars 2009 The Wrath - 93pts

Fairview Cellars 2009 The Wrath (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here. Private wine shops
Cost: $65
Alcohol: 14.6%
Production: 250 cases
Date Tasted: November 23rd, 2011
Re-Tasted: December 8th, 2019

Tasting Notes: This single vineyard, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine comes from a Golden Mile Bench property separate from the Fairview Cellars home vineyard. Intense, brooding and fantastically complex, this wonderful wine offers loads of dark fruit and French oak at the core of its flavour profile. Big tannins, big mouth feel, big nose, big presence... big everything! Yet, amazingly the wine remains refined and very smooth. Well balanced and beautifully long. For fun story behind the name and label is covered here.

Enjoy this wine after a couple of years of bottle aging. Drink late-2013-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Re-Tasting Notes: At tens years of age this beautiful, one-off release is still going strong with several years of peak drinking ahead. Today, seductive aromas and flavours of menthol and eucalyptus have developed adding more complexity to the already brooding profile. Anyone who thinks Cabernet Sauvignon can't be ripened or built to age in BC must be poured a taste of this special wine. But just a small pour - save the rest for us. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon - 89pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $34.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 1237 cases
Date Tasted: November 7th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Beautiful, deep aromas of dark fruit and warm oak greet you on the nose of this tasty Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from vineyards in the South Okanagan (a third) and the winery's estate in West Kelowna (two thirds). A grippy, slightly green and 'hot' palate follows with uber-dry, dusty tannins, familiar dark fruit and oak flavours with additional, savoury notes of licorice, dried herbs and a touch of mint.

Best served after another 1-2 years. Drink 2020-2025.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 St. David's Bench Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - 90pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 St. David's Bench Vineyard Cabernet Franc (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34.95
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 488 cases
Date Tasted: September 5th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Opens with a touch of menthol on the, otherwise, blackcurrant and woody-graphite scented nose. An opulent, New World Cabernet Sauvignon with ripe, black fruit flavours providing the perception of sweetness while savoury notes of cedar, licorice and light spice add depth and blackberry acidity and dusty/smoky tannins contribute the needed structure for such a concentrated palate. Readu to go now or hold for another 2-3 years. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Viña Los Vascos - Le Dix - 92pts

Viña Los Vascos 2012 Le Dix (Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability: Limited. BC Liquor Stores (newer vintages)
Cost: $63.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: April 20th, 2019

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. Primarily a Cabernet Sauvignon, with a splattering of Carmenere and Syrah added (about 10 and 5%, respectively), Le Dix is the 'icon wine' of Viña Los Vascos, the Barons De Rothschild owned Chilean firm which aims to deliver exceptional, Bordeaux-inspired Cabernet with a touch of local charm. This wine fulfills the criteria with its rabbit-hole like depth on the sensual nose and uber-refined palate. 

Built to age, seven years in this beauty is just starting to think about peaking with ripe, fine tannins holding strong and no sign of the dark fruit fading. Sweet and sensual at first sniff, the developed bouquet deserves time in your glass to seduce you before you sip it down between bites of a medium-rare tenderloin steak. Drink now-2022.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Mascota Vineyards 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon - 87pts

Mascota Vineyards 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipú District) Mendoza - Argentina

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $14.99-16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: April 9th, 2019

Tasting Notes: The 2017 edition of this entry-level Cabernet Sauvignon from Mascota Vineyards (producers of the divine Unanime) is an, overall, more balanced wine. Especially on the palate where, in previous years, wild berry acidity was relied upon to off-set high levels of residual sugar. For 2017, we see a cut back in the RS and the acidity used to keep the palate vibrant and food friendly, a welcomed change and one that better compliments the ripe, yet, brambly, wild berry and savoury spice flavour profile. Excellent value. Drink 2019-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2016 Collector's Series Cabernet Sauvignon - 90pts

Cassini Cellars 2016 Collector's Series Cabernet Sauvignon (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Not yet released. Winery site here
Cost: $TBD
Alcohol: 14.7%
Date Tasted: December 5th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A ripe and perfumed Cabernet Sauvignon. Mellow and feminine with some lush, blue and dark fruit aromas mingling, gently, with aromatic high notes and a kiss of toasty oak on the nose. Tannins are fairly mellow on the dry, yet, juicy palate with good continuity of flavours from the nose and with nicely integrated alcohol. Cocoa nibs and a touch of flat spice linger on the long finish. 

Ready to go now and should make a fine pairing for leaner cuts of beef or venison. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2014 The Godfather - 93pts

Cassini Cellars 2014 The Godfather (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Contact the winery direct here
Cost: $80
Alcohol: 15%
Production: 145 cases
Date Tasted: November 24th, 2018

Tasting Notes: "The Godfather" is Cassini Cellars' Icon level wine to rival wines such as Mission Hill's Oculus and LaFrenz Winery's Grand Total, but is it their Flagship wine? In previous vintages, this wine took the form of a Bordeaux/Meritage blend, matching the style of its peers, an assumption that the sum is always greater than the parts. But for the 2014 release, Cassini has chosen to focus on one variety, Cabernet Sauvignon, which just happens to be the grape the Golden Mile Bench winery excels at, year-in, year-out.

With 2% Cabernet Franc blended in to enhance the feminine notes on the nose, the 2014 Godfather is bursting with a complex array of seductive aromatics, sweet, ripe fruit and savoury notes of the sweet, cured meet and steak spice. The palate is intense, yet, gentle with ultra-fine, ripe tannins and a flavour profile layered with dark and blue fruits, exotic spices and dried herbs and fruit, namely, dates, clove and anise.

Ready to go now at 4 years of age, or, hold for another 3-5 years. Drink now-2024.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon - 88pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $34.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 3000 cases
Date Tasted: November 8th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Most of the fruit for this cool-climate Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the winery's estate in West Kelowna with additional fruit from the Black Sage Bench producing a robust, masculine wine with classic, cassis and oak influence aromas and flavours complimented by notes of worn leather and dry herbs. 

This isn't a tannin-heavy Cab, relying more on depth and length to impress. Should pair beautifully with leaner cuts of beef like a rare steak of filet mignon thanks to a touch of iodine on the spicy, slightly-greenish finish. Ready to go now or hold for a few more years. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon - 90pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Sold out at the winery. Website here
Cost: $33-35
Alcohol: 14.7%
Date Tasted: October 9th, 2018
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: Always intense and dense, no matter the vintage conditions, the Burrowing Owl Cabernet Sauvignon informs its consumer of the season's sunlight-rain-heat ratios through its flavour profile which can range from sagey-greeness in cooler years to a dark fruit purée in hotter years. The well-balanced, ready-in-its-youth 2015 edition falls somewhere comfortably in the middle of that spectrum with a blend of wild herbs, dark fruit, capsicum, mocha and mint aromas and flavours.

Ready to go now or hold for another 3-4 years for some continued development. Drink 2018-2022+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca