Viñedos Emiliana 2017 Coyam - 93+pts

Viñedos Emiliana 2017 Coyam (Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BC Liquor Stores
Cost: $30-35 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 20,000 cases
Date Tasted: July 22nd, 2020

Tasting Notes: An aromatic, earthy and well balanced blend of 43% Syrah, 29% Carmenere, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Mourvedre, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Carigan,  2% Malbec, 2% Garnacha and 1% Tempranillo sourced from an organically farmed, single-vineyard in the Colchagua Valley of Central Chile. Dense, yet, gentle and approachable, this is a complex wine offering a range of aromas and flavours of ripe red fruits, blood orange, warm rocks, cigar box, toasted oak and spiced, mochaccino. Finishes dry with lingering notes of cooking spices, black cherry acidity and dusty tannins. Ready to go now, but, should continue to evolve and integrate over the next 2 years. Drink 2022-2027.

  - 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

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

Viña Garces Silva 2016 Boya Pinot Noir - 87pts

Viña Garces Silva 2016 BoYa Pinot Noir (D.O. Leyda Valley) Chile

Availability: BC Liquor Stores
Cost: $16.99-19.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 6,000 cases
Date Tasted: September 15th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A pleasantly stinky Pinot Noir with prominent barnyard aromas on the intense nose where notes of spiced plum and licorice play second fiddle. Red fruit shows on the every-so-slightly off-dry palate with a touch of savoury oak and earthy-spice on the moderate finish. Ready to go now. Sealed with a screwcap. Drink 2018-2021.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Viñedos Emiliana 2013 Coyam - 91pts

Viñedos Emiliana 2013 Coyam (Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BC Liquor Stores
Cost: $27.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 20,000 cases
Date Tasted: March 25th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Emiliana's Coyam, a Mapuchen word meaning forest of oak, is a complex and earthy blend of 48% Syrah, 24% Carmenere, 11% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Mourvedre, 3% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot sourced from an organically farmed, single-vineyard in the Colchagua Valley of Central Chile. Red fruits, both sweet and tangy, and spicy-licorice characters dominate the expansive nose and the intense, oak-kissed palate. Smooth tannins and clean acidity precede a long, slightly "hot" finish.  Drink now-2020.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Viña Montes 2013 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon - 90-92pts

Viña Montes 2013 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon (D.O. Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB Signature and private wine stores
Cost: $22-25 +tax
Alcohol: 15.2%
Date Tasted: June 25th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Starting with the 2012 vintage, the Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% dry-farmed, meaning the vineyard's only water-source is that which nature provides during the growing season. This adds sustainability 'cred' to the winery's marketing copy but also noticeable quality improvements as well. Older vines with deep roots make the practice viable, forcing the vines to work harder to get the water it needs; vines in a constant state of struggle produce the best wine.

The result is crazy intensity and depth for the price with concentrated, black currant, eucalyptus-mint, toasted oak and warm spice aromas on the dense nose followed by a velvety palate with similar flavours and a long, refined, mouth-watering finish where lively dark fruit puree notes linger. Has the pedigree to age a decade. Drink 2016-2023+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Viña Montes 2011 Montes Folly - 94+pts

Viña Montes 2011 Montes Folly (Alpalta Valley) Colchagua Valley - Chile

Availability: BCLDB Signature and private wine stores
Cost: $87
Alcohol: 15.2%
Date Tasted: February 27th, 2015

Tasting Notes: Another killer Folly with an enchanting, sweetly scented nose of cherry, plum, blueberry, cola and pepper aromas complimented with elegant, toasted oak and warm earth characters. The palate is equally complex and smooth with solid structure from refined, developed tannins. Silky on the entry, creamy on the mid-palate and long'n'peppery on the finish. Fantastic. Drinking beautifully now with a cellar worthy track record that should keep this wine a fixture in your collection for 8-10 years. Drink 2015-2023+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Viña Palo Alto 2012 Reserva - 87pts

Viña Palo Alto 2012 Reserva (D.O. Maule Valley) - Chile

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores

Cost: $14.99

Alcohol: 13.5%

Date Tasted: June 17th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Carmenere and 20% Syrah, this is a quality wine by winemaker Héctor Urzúa for Chilean producer Viña Palo Alto. Named for the thorny, flowering trees that are dotted all over the hillsides of the Maule Valley, this is a fairly complex wine at a bargain price with a seductive, feminine nose of cassis, maraschino cherry, pipe tobacco, leather and star anise aromas. The dry, concentrated palate offers supple, dark fruit and spicy, savoury flavours with meaty tannins and mouth-watering acidity which helps keep the moderate finish fluid and balanced. 

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Viña Errázuriz 2011 Max Reserva Syrah - 88pts

Viña Errázuriz 2011 Max Reserva Syrah (Aconcagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: June 13th, 2014

Tasting Notes: The Max Reserva Syrah leaps from the glass with potent, cherry liqueur, crushed violet, licorice, pipe smoke and cola aromas. The palate offers similar intensity and flavours with a chewy texture balanced by a mouth-watering, moderate finish with lingering anise and sweet spices. Meaty tannins are a tad rough around the edges, but well-meaning. Overall, good intensity for the price. Drink 2014-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Viña MontGras 2012 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon - 86pts

Viña MontGras 2012 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $15
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: February 3rd, 2014

Tasting Notes: As mass-market, mass-production, Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon go, the MontGras Reserva is pretty good. A nice balance of trendy, sweet berry fruit and more serious, yet, smooth-ish tannins and earthy-notes keeps this high-value Cabernet from slipping fully into the Apothic Red abyss of bottled jam that today passes for red wine.

Baked cassis and boysenberry meets field-berry acidity meets light mineral and charred oak. Finish is short and a bit sharp, but otherwise, a fine effort for the price. Drink 2014-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Terra Andina 2012 'Fresh' Sauvignon Blanc - 87pts

Terra Andina 2012 'Fresh' Sauvignon Blanc (D.O. Central Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $16
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: December 19th, 2013

Tasting Notes: A quiet, muted nose of grapefruit and granny smith apples begins this 'Fresh' Sauvignon Blanc from Chile's Central Valley that lives up to its name on the crisp, tangy and watery palate where citrus fruit and green pepper flavours dominate. A touch of residual sugar helps balance the tangy, citrus acidity through to the moderate, mouth-watering finish. Drink now-2014.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Viña Los Vascos 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon - 86pts

Viña Los Vascos 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability: Everything Wine
Cost: $16.99
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 250,000 cases
Date Tasted: April 17th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Produced by famed Bordeaux institution Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) in Chile's Colchagua Valley, this deep-ruby coloured Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a nice blend of juicy cassis and allsorts licorice candy aromas. The medium-plus bodied, mostly-dry palate follows with bright, in-your-face juicy dark fruit flavours supported by oak spice, light tannins and gentle acid. The finish is short, though a pairing with a tasty, after-dinner plate of dark chocolate would help overcome this nicely. Drink now-2014.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Viña Santa Rita 2008 Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon - 86pts

Viña Santa Rita 2008 Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon (Alto Jahuel) Maipo Valley - Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores, general listing
Cost: $21.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: June 26th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The nice, dark berry infused, intense Cab nose verges on Australian in its concentration and potency. Light mint and eucalyptus notes further the comparison, but the similarities end on the dry, heavily extracted palate where cassis, blackberry, green pepper, dried herbs, pine needle and licorise flavours blend with mineral and French oak notes. Ultra ripe is one thing. Extracting every molecule of intensity is another and the balance skews towards overdone and over-acidic in the Medalla Real and that makes it hard to enjoy without food. Drink 2014-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Viña Santa Alicia 2010 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon - 89pts

Viña Santa Alicia 2010 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley) Chile

Availability: Everything Wine
Cost: $17-19
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: March 21st, 2012

Tasting Notes: The Santa Alicia Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon is a drink me now wine, but that doesn't exclude it from deserved praise; few Cabernets designed for early consumption are this good and affordable. Neither tannin-heavy nor an extraction-a-ganza, the focus of this wine is the pure cassis and blackberry fruit expression delivered with minimal influence from oak, yet clearly produced from some quality, ripe fruit. Only medium-plus in body, the fruit is left to shine on its own resulting in a relatively light weight Cabernet full of complex terroir-driven flavours. The finish is long and v.well balanced with lingering smoke and dark berry fruit notes. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Viña Santa Carolina 2009 Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon - 88pts

Viña Santa Carolina 2009 Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon (Valle Del Maipo) Chile

Availability: BCLDB Signature Stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: June 15th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The nose of this dense and brooding Cabernet Sauvignon is engaging and intense. Dark berry and spicy oak aromas dominate yet there's room for light violet notes and a hint of cinnamon.

Ripe, concentrated, jammy dark fruit follows on the dry palate with smooth tannins and lively acidity. The finish is both juicy and tart, refreshing your mouth for the next sip, but the fruit dissolves a bit too quickly leaving unbalanced burnt oak notes to linger. The wine screams out for hard cheeses like gruyère or double-smoked cheddar which compliment the texture nicely and mask any unbalanced elements. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2012

Viña Errázuriz 2009 Max Reserva Syrah - 87pts

Viña Errázuriz 2009 Max Reserva Syrah (Aconcagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: A touch of sweetness accompanies the gorgeous nose of the Max Reserva Syrah. Licorice, cherry liqueur aromas stand out above classic red fruit and spice layers. A more straight-forward palate follows with intense black cherry, round spice and balsamic flavours. Manages to be dense without being heavy or jammy. A well-rounded and well-priced Syrah. Drink 2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Viña Arboleda 2009 Syrah - 87pts

Viña Arboleda 2009 Syrah (Aconcagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $21.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: A quality, cool-climate Syrah from the Aconcagua Valley offering pronounced aromatics on the nose with both fruit and savoury flavours on the palate. Violets and rose petal aromas are followed by concentrated raspberry, coffee grinds, smoke, mineral and black pepper notes. Finish is a bit short for the price point. Crisp acidity makes this a fine vin de table. Drink 2012-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Viña Tamaya 2010 Reserve Syrah - 88-89pts

Viña Tamaya 2010 Reserve Syrah (Limari Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores. Spec order
Cost: $19
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: Inspired by Northern Rhone vinification techniques, this Syrah is co-fermented with 5% Viognier and aged in French oak for 9-12 months creating an enticing Syrah with good minerality and aromatic elements. Black olive, violet, blackberry and dark cherry characters aplenty. Sits bright in the mouth with strong acid and tannins and would benefit from another year of bottle aging. Drink 2013-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

De Martino 2008 Alto Los Toros Syrah - 91pts

De Martino 2008 Alto Los Toros Syrah (Elqui Valley) Chile

Availability: Limited. Private wine stores or special order
Cost: $45
Alcohol: 14.4%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: At 1600m above sea level, the Elqui Valley vineyards which produce the fruit for this impressive Syrah and Petit Verdot blend (85-15%), are some of the highest altitude plantings in the world. The result is an excellent, dense, cool-climate Syrah with concentrated licorice, vanilla and red fruit flavours and loads of spicy, mineral notes. Big, cracked pepper flavours linger on the long finish. Drink 2012-2016+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca