Sterling Vineyards 2016 Vintner's Collection Merlot - California State
Availability: Direct from winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $19.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 12th, 2019
Tasting Notes: A juicy, ripe Merlot with blackberry, black plum and sweet cassis aromas and flavours with nothing really out-of-sorts, yet, disappointingly structured rather Apothic-y with too much RS and too little depth and length. There are better budget Merlots out there. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2015 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) Sonoma County - California
Availability: BCLDB
Cost: $24-27 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: October 19th, 2018
Tasting Notes: Opens with a nice combination of red fruit, minerals and toasted oak aromas on the medium intense nose. A medium-everything, dry palate follows with a similar flavour profile and with added cedar chips, spice and forest floor/earthy notes through to the short-ish finish. Fine, smooth but not terribly refined. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Peachy Canyon 2015 Westside Zinfandel (Paso Robles) California - USA
Availability: Costco
Cost: $15-18 + taxes USD
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: February 20th, 2018
Tasting Notes: Big and fruity with more American V8, straight-forward power than finesse, this blend of 77% Zinfandel, 8% Petite Syrah, 7% Primitivo and 6% Alicante Pouschet is effortless to enjoy with juicy, black cherry and pruny, spiced plum fruit supported nicely by sweet peppercorn, minerals, oak and smoky anise aromas and flavours. The finish is long and spicy with mint and licorice lingering through to the next sip. Drink 2018-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Saintsbury 2014 Carneros Chardonnay (Carneros) California - USA
Availability: Costco
Cost: $19.99 + taxes USD
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 21st, 2018
Tasting Notes: A barrel fermented and malolactic induced Chardonnay from Carneros vineyards that manages to remain fresh and vibrant with effortless acidity and a pleasant combination of ripe citrus and lean orchard fruit characters on the medium intense nose and the long, (very long) lasting palate where a lovely element of spice and lemon peel lingers. Drink 2018-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Hahn Estate 2016 S.L.H. Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) Monterey - California
Availability: Costco
Cost: $17.99-21.99 USD
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: February 18th, 2018
@Bench1775
Tasting Notes: Juxtaposed cool-berry and ripe cherry aromas mingle on the appealing nose with added notes of cola and vanilla spice. An easy-to-love palate follows with a touch of residual sugar adding volume and carrying the bright, raspberry and spicy plum flavours. Earth, spice and oak notes linger on the moderate-plus finish. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2014 Chalk Hill Chardonnay (Sonoma County) California - USA
Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $27.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: September 11th, 2017
Tasting Notes: A wonderfully balanced Chardonnay with a solid mineral backbone on the joyful, sweetly-comforting, baked aroma scented nose and the refreshing, orchard and citrus fruit infused, full-bodied, oak-kissed palate. Finish is moderate-plus with some lingering spice, lemon peel and 'hot' alcohol notes. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2014 Chardonnay (Sonoma County) California - USA
Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $22.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: September 10th, 2017
Tasting Notes: Though only 60% barrel fermented for 6 months, there is plenty of oak and malolactic fermentation influence at work in this blend of Chardonnay from numerous Sonoma County vineyards. Sweet nut and buttery notes grace the apple, pear and baked citrus scented nose with a lengthy, round'yet'vivacious palate following with similar flavours and slightly sharp, citrus peel acidity. Lees and spice linger with citrus notes on the finish. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Taken Wine Co. 2014 Complicated Chardonnay (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Costco USA
Cost: $12 usd
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: March 14th, 2017
Tasting Notes: A well-structured and balanced Chardonnay with a lifted nose of fresh, orchard fruit and Spring blossoms with light mineral and oak notes adding depth. Full-ish palate is clean and crisp with mouth-watering acidity and plenty of citrus and peach flavours. Just a kiss of oak contact lingers on the moderate finish. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Robert Hall Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) California - USA
Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $14-18 usd
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 14th, 2017
Tasting Notes: An intense, fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles with body to spare thanks to the concentrated, black fruit characters, oak maturation and (near) off-dry level of residual sugar. Thankfully, the wine finishes dry with lingering, fine tannins and spices. Ready to go now. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Cupcake Vineyards 2014 Chardonnay (Monterey County) California - USAAvailability: Widely available at BCLDB storesCost: $15-16Alcohol: 13.5%Date Tasted: January 15th, 2017Tasting Notes: A super-chewy, oaked and MLF'd Chardonnay from Cupcake Vineyards, aptly named for its infusion of baked-goods-essence into their wines. This Chardonnay is rich, fruity and slightly sharp, in tone, with some residual sugar adding body and crisp citrus notes keeping the finish (mostly) dry and refreshing. Fruit and savoury flavours fade fairly quickly with only raw lemon peel and a hint of spice lingering on the finish. Lacks a distinguishing character. Drink this Chardonnay in its youth, it will not improve with age. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Michael David Winery 2012 Earthquake Zinfandel (Lodi AVA) California - USA
Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $41.99 + tax
Alcohol: 15.5%
Date Tasted: July 8th, 2016
Tasting Notes: Wow. An Earthquake indeed. Your senses will be shaking after this one. Nose and palate are super intense with deep, dark fruit and menthol notes with added layers of liquorice allsorts candy, charred oak, flat spice, tobacco and plum sauce.
Amazingly, the 15.5% alcohol is effortlessly integrated, avoiding any obvious 'hotness' on the palate. Already aged beautifully at 4 years of age, with many years of life yet should you want to wait and tempt further development. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery 2013 Gravel Bed Red (Sonoma County) California - USA
Availability: Private wine stores like Everything Wine
Cost: $49.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: April 16th, 2016
Tasting Notes: A blend of Bordeaux varieties sourced from multiple Sonoma County vineyards all with one thing in common: rocky, gravely soils. Intense and refined on the nose with rabbit-hole depth; cassis purée, ripe blueberries, vanilla extract, chocolate covered coffee beans and light, rocky mineral aromas.
The palate continues the refined complexity theme with concentrated, sweet blue fruit and moody, dark fruit flavours supported by effortless, fine tannins and mouth-watering, fresh berry acidity. The finish is epic with lingering vanilla, cassis, cooking spice and light minerals. This wine sits beautifully in the mouth and should be appreciated on its own or with an after-dinner plate of fine, dark chocolates. Drink 2017-2023
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2013 Chardonnay (Sonoma County) California - USA
Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $19.99 + tax
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 11th, 2015
Tasting Notes: Though, a haze of smoky, toasted oak and caramel aromas hits your nose first and suggests a heavy, viscous wine is on its way, this Chardonnay is surprisingly only medium-bodied and well balanced with orchard fruit leading the way on the palate. A touch of ripe pear sweetness and lemon-lime acidity linger on the long, spicy finish. A refreshing, well-rounded, food-friendly Chardonnay. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2012 Knotty Vines Zinfandel (Sonoma County) California - USA
Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $20.89 + tax
Alcohol: 15%
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2015
Tasting Notes: Hits you in the face, as many Zins do, with a powerful nose of puréed dark berry fruits, sweet peppercorn, vanilla-mocha and spicy oak aromas. Sourced from multiple Northern Sonoma vineyards, this Zin is full bodied from 15% alcohol and a touch of residual sugar, matching the intensity of the berry fruit flavours on offer. Wild berry acidity keeps the finish from feeling fat and layers of charred oak, vanilla, cranberry and pecan pie notes add depth and complexity.
Build on the charred oak flavours and pair with blackened, sweet'n'spicy BBQ meats. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Rombauer Vineyards 2011 Zinfandel (Napa Valley) California - USA
Availability: Limited. Private wine stores
Cost: $45-55
Alcohol: 15.9%
Date Tasted: April 4th, 2015
Tasting Notes: A powerful Zin with a robust, fruit-driven nose of blackberry, cherry, spearmint, herbs and chocolate covered cranberry aromas. A blend of 93% Zinfandel and 7% Petite Syrah sourced from vineyards in Napa Valley and beyond, this wine offers good continuity from the nose with added red fruit sweetness and peppery wood flavours on the intense, spicy palate. Manages its (nearly) 16% alcohol like a champ, never feeling 'hot' and staying well-balanced thanks to amble, raspberry acidity. The finish is long and mouth-watering with lingering peppercorn and plum notes. Drink 2015-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
J Vineyards and Winery 2013 Vin Gris (Russian River Valley) California - USA
Availability: Specialty wine shops in BC or direct from winery here
Cost: $20 (USD), $24-26 (CDN)
Alcohol: 14.3%
Production: 5,000 cases
Date Tasted: September 21st, 2014
Tasting Notes: This beautiful, medium salmon-hued rosé open with a lovely, sun-drenched nose of ripe strawberry, peach fuzz, rose water, cran-apple and light citrus aromas. The palate is delightfully smooth and balanced with bright red fruit, steely mineral and tangy citrus flavours galore while a hint of tannins linger on the long, spice'n'lemon rind-infused finish. An excellent, food-friendly rosé to be enjoyed in its youth. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
J Vineyards and Winery 2013 Pinot Gris (California) USA
Availability: Specialty wine shops in BC or direct from winery here
Cost: $16 (USD), $20 (CDN)
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 60,000 cases
Date Tasted: August 23rd, 2014
Tasting Notes: J Vineyards and Winery offers three Pinot Gris skus ranging from a single-vineyard version to this 'California' blend; a Gris for the masses. At 60,000 cases, this wine's character is constructed via blending, rather than extracted from its micro-climate terroir, but the construction is superbly done with layers of floral and tropical fruit aromas woven together with cool mineral and sweet apricot notes around the edges.
The palate is rich from malolactic fermentation and ripe melon flavours, not from oak ageing, and is nicely balanced by grapefruit and lemon peel acidity, resolving into a long, crisp finish with hints of light spice. Ready to be enjoyed today with a warm lobster or scallop salad. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Carnivor 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (California) USA
Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $16-18
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: February 21st, 2014
Tasting Notes: This stain-your-teeth-purple hued Cabernet Sauvignon is an assemblage of focus-group tastes and attributes: sweet dark fruit, hints of added "complex" flavours, easy-drinking tannins, full-bodied mouth feel and enough acid to make your palate salivate for more. Surprisingly, it combines these attributes into a drinkable and reasonably Cabernet-ish styled wine rather well, though, without any passion or sense of place (or, potentially, any human intervention - seriously, this wine could have been made by robots). Drink now-2015.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Paul Hobbs Winery 2011 Katherine Lindsay Estate Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley AVA) Sonoma County - California
Availability: Speciality listing in BC. Private Wine StoresCost: $75-85
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: February 4th, 2014
Tasting Notes: A big Pinot at a big price for folks looking for mannered intensity wrapped in an elegant veil of dark fruit and sweet forrest floor aromas. Medium purple hued Pinot with a silky textured palate bursting with ripe dark cherry and black currant fruit balanced by meaty-earthy notes, all-the-while remaining Pinot-esk, though, only barely. Finishes very long and a tad 'hot'. This impressive specimen should age well for another 5-6 years given the rich tannin structure and concentrated fruit. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
MacRostie Winery and Vineyards 2011 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast AVA) Sonoma County - California
Availability: Speciality listing in BC. Private Wine StoresCost: $34-40
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 4860 cases
Date Tasted: February 4th, 2014
Tasting Notes: This blended, entry-level Pinot Noir does the Sonoma Coast proud showcasing the sub-region's delicate, low-key approach to Pinot Noir that makes the Sonoma Coast stand-out from the richer, meatier Pinots from the inland AVAs like Russian River Valley.
Light in colour and demeanour, yet complex and quietly intense with a great balance between sweet red fruit, bright acidity and spicy tea notes. Approachable now and should age beautifully over the next 2-3 years. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
