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 2015 Carmenere - 91pts

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

Availability: Limited. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $49.50 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: July 8th, 2017

Tasting Notes: If the Black Hill's Carmenere were an entree on a menu its description may read like this... "Lustful, liquefied peppercorn wrapped in a rich blanket of French and American oak and served with a side of cured meats in a black plum and cocoa compote."

Sourced from the winery's two Black Sage Bench vineyards, this Carmenere is sold exclusively to share holders and wine club members due to its ultra small-lot production. An engaging wine, if not polarizing (you love it or you hate it), with oodles of spice throughout. Boysenberry flavours and acidity help balance the long, peppercorn-infused finish. Drink 2018-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca 

Black Hills Estate Winery 2014 Carmenere - 89pts

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

Availability: Limited. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $49.50 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.8%
Date Tasted: May 15th, 2016

Tasting Notes: This peppercorn-spiced Carmenere is sold exclusively to the winery's share holders and wine club members due to its ultra small-lot production. Just over 4 acres of the Bordeaux varietal are planted between the winery's two Black Sage Bench vineyards. 

This early-to-mid-range drinker opens with a wall of pepper spice on its lustful, perfumed nose with sweet, cured meat, tomato stock and mixed-berry aromas adding depth. Rich, berry-cream and mocha-chocolate characters dominate the entry, followed by some fruity-flabbiness mid-palate, then boysenberry acidity livens-up the peppercorn-infused finish. Drink late-2016-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca 

Black Hills Estate Winery 2013 Carmenere - 91pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2013 Carmenere (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Sold out at winery.
Cost: $50-55
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: October 28th, 2015

Tasting Notes: Imagine soaking peppercorns in boysenberry juice and adding slivers of a pepperoni stick, a sprinkling of coffee grinds and a dollop of earthy, stewed tomatoes. That's the unique and memorable flavour profile of Black Hills' other cult favourite, their single-varietal release of Carmenere.

This medium-plus bodied wine delivers excellent continuity from the spicy nose to the dry palate and through to the long, balanced finish where more traces of peppercorn await. Drinking well now, though, could do with another 6 months to a year of bottle ageing for further integration. Drink mid-2016-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca 

Montes 2009 Limited Selection Cabernet Carmenere - 87+pts

Montes 2009 Limited Selection Cabernet Carmenere (Apalta Vineyard) Colchagua Valley - Chile

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $18-19.50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: August 28th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Despite a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Carmenere, it is the once-thought-to-be-eradicated 6th Bordeaux varietal Carmenere whose candied fruit and spice characters dominate the intense nose. A heavily extracted, yet watery-textured presentation follows on the juicy palate with concentrated mixed-berry fruit flavours and mouth-watering acidity. Coarse, medium-plus tannins will keep this wine "cooking" in your cellar for some further development but it may not be worth the patience needed. Drink 2011-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Viña Montes 2006 Purple Angel - 93+pts

Viña Montes 2006 Purple Angel (Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB Signature and private wine stores
Cost: $53.95
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 5500 cases
Date Tasted: April 30th, 2011

Tasting Notes: A concentrated, dense and brooding monster of a Carmenère (with 8% Petit Verdot) from Chile's Viña Montes. 18 months in new French oak imparts perfectly integrated tannins and lovely oak notes to the nose and palate. Prominent aroma of menthol on the intense nose with cassis, blackberry, spice box, orange blossom and stonefruit supporting. The dry palate offers impressive depth with good continuity of flavours from the nose with added tobacco, leather and tomato stock characters.

A fantastic Carmenère to which all others will likely be compared with a super smooth texture, complex character, a long finish, good aging potential and a near perfect balance. Drink 2011-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2008 Carmenere - 89-90pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2008 Carmenere (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Sold out at winery.
Cost: $50-55
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 150 cases
Date Tasted: July 2nd, 2010

Tasting Notes: The only one of its kind, this estate grown BC Carmenere is a head turner - or better, a nose turner. The bouquet reminds one of a savoury and earthy fine Italian wine, rather than a spicy Chilean Carmenere. Aromas of coffee grounds, stewed tomato, tar and raspberry with prominent vegetal notes. Truly unique in BC and very intriguing.

On the palate is where the classic spicy Carmenere characteristics announcement themselves with a roar. Excellent concentration of white pepper, plum and coffee ground flavours with medium tannin and acidity. A lovely, long and balanced finish with lingering spice completes the experience - a truly unique experience. Drinking well now, but could do with another year of aging for further development. 2011-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010 (with Hugh Carter)

BTW - Fans of this wine can rejoice. The winery's production of their estate grown Carmenere should take a sizeable jump up in years to come after a successful grafting program (some Chardonnay vines got the chop).

Haras de Pirque 2008 Equus Carmenere - 88pts

Haras de Pirque 2008 Equus Carmenere (Maipo Valley) - Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores and private wine shops
Cost: $17-20
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: January 31st, 2010

Tasting Notes: Inky-ruby core with a purple rim, this auspicious Carmenere from top Chilean producer Haras de Pirque offers intense flavours and aromas at just under $20 (in Canada).

The nose presents fruity and spicy aromas of blackberries, dark cherries, vanilla and white pepper. The palate offers flavours of dark fruit, pepper, toasted oak, cooking spice and nibs that will please your mouth and culminates in a smooth and lingering finish. Good acidity and tannins will keep this wine improving in your cellar for another 1-2 years and will be enjoyable through 2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Undurraga 2008 Sibaris Carmenere - 86pts

Undurraga 2008 Sibaris Carmenere (D.O. Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB Stores

Cost: $13.99

Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: January 4th, 2010

Tasting Notes: A fun and unpretentious wine from excellent Chilean producer Undurraga Wines. This Carmenere is inky-ruby in colour and full of spicy and cassis aromas and flavours. The high-minus acid makes it a perfect, if nontraditional, pairing for acidic foods like fresh tomato-based pasta sauces.

This wine offers excellent value and is most recommended to those wine lovers who are not as familiar with regional grape varieties like Carmenere. Drink now through 2011. - LC

Palo Alto 2008 Reserva - 88pts

Palo Alto 2008 Reserva (Maule Valley) - Chile

Decanted: 2hrs

Cost: $14.99 (BC Liquor Stores)

Date Tasted: September 8th, 2009

Tasting Notes: A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Carmenere and 15% Syrah, this is a quality wine by winemaker Héctor Urzúa for Chilean producer Palo Alto. Named for the thorny flowering trees that are dotted all over the hillsides of the Maule Valley, this is a complex wine at a bargain price. A nose of cassis, leather and notes of tobacco. The palate shows dark fruits with firm yet balanced acidity and medium tannins.

This is a classic grilled meats wine that enjoys a long finish waiting for that next bite of smoky chicken or flank steak. It also pairs surprisingly well with season six of "24" on DVD which I am trying to catch-up on. Therefore, pair with BBQ or Jack Bauer. - LC