Silverback Vineyards 2011 Reserve Syrah - 99pts

Silverback Vineyards 2011 Reserve Syrah (Columbia Valley AVA) - Washington State

Availability: Not yet available in BC. Contact winery direct here
Cost: $240 (USD)
Alcohol: 15%
Production: 55 cases
Date Tasted: August 12th, 2012
Re-tasted: June 3rd, 2013

Tasting Notes: From a barrel sample. Winemaker Charles Herrold decided to experiment with one barrel of his 100% free-run Syrah production from the 2011 vintage using a Bordeaux yeast normally reserved for Cabernet Sauvignon and the results are truly stunning. Violets, tar, cherry, licorice and citrus characters galore. Glaetzer's Amon-Ra springs to mind but with more concentration and length, if that is even conceivable. Bold, rich and absolutely gorgeous, this inky-purple Syrah is sure to become a cult classic. Only 55 cases have been produced so you may be hard-pressed to get your hands on it. If you do, you'll want to wait another 1-2 years+ before opening for your investment to pay dividends. Drink 2015-2026+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Re-tasting Notes: The wine is awaking from its Spring bottling-induced slumber with a roar, though I still recommend another 1-2 years in the bottle before opening. Should you choose to open now you'll find a powerfully elegant wine bursting with restrained intensity and dense, dense dark fruit flavours effortlessly balanced by its expertly-tuned oak program.

So close to "perfect" that 99 points may seem like a slight to the producer - and truthfully, no change to this wine could truly improve on what's already in the bottle. Vintage conditions and a presumptive successful track record, however, do leave room for future perfection.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Silverback Vineyards 2010 Syrah - 95pts



Silverback Vineyards 2010 Syrah (Columbia Valley AVA)  - Washington State

Availability: Not yet available in BC. Contact winery direct here
Cost: $80 (USD)
Alcohol: 14.8%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: August 12th, 2012
Re-tasted: March 31st, 2013

Tasting Notes: From a barrel sample. A dark, intense, ruby-coloured Syrah with a medium purple rim and a lovely sheen. Pulls you into its web at first sniff with layers of dark fruit, violets, tar, licorice, vanilla, subtle allspice and vibrant citrus notes. An excellent prelude to the concentrated palate that offers superb acidity and balance with fine tannins and long-lasting, spicy dark fruit flavours that roll around your mouth with youthful abandon.

Fruit was cropped down to 2.5 tonnes per acre, cold fermented and then aged in 100%, 2nd fill French oak. Will be approachable upon its release in early 2013, but the patient among you will reap the benefits of 2-3 more years of bottle age. Drink 2014-2020+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Re-tasting Notes: On par with the Columbia Valley's premium Syrah labels like Long Shadows' "Sequel". Intense and bold with fabulous concentration and length. Still youthful, though the extra 7 months of age has helped integrate the French oak and fine tannins.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Silverback Vineyards 2010 Sangiovese - 92pts

Silverback Vineyards 2010 Sangiovese (Desert Hills Vineyard) Columbia Valley AVA - Washington State

Availability: Not yet available in BC. Contact winery direct here
Cost: $55 (USD)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: August 12th, 2012
Re-tasted: March 21st, 2013

Tasting Notes: From a barrel sample. What Washington State Sangiovese wines have over their Italian counterparts is an inherent joie de vivre. They are fun to drink and the life of the party while their Old World cousins can come across a tad serious at times. Silverback's version continues the trend with vibrant acidity, wild berry aromas and captures the essence of biting into a freshly picked green tomato - pure joy.

Aged in 500L American oak puncheons and sourced from the Desert Hills Vineyard near Grandview, Washington, this Sangiovese also shows depth of character with layers of crayon, boysenberry, huckleberry and churchwood (worn, yet cared-for old wood). May not age as long as the fuller-bodied and finely structured Silverback Syrahs and blends, but some further evolution is possible, if not probable. Drink 2013-2017.
 - Liam Carrier (with Jordan Carrier) ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Re-tasting Notes: Now bottled and soon to be released, the Silverback Sangiovese remains a joy to drink; balanced, lively and bursting with wild berry flavours on the palate, while the nose offers layers of deep, red fruit aromas. Drinking beautifully now and should hold for another 3-4 years.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Silverback Vineyards 2010 Référence - 94+pts

Silverback Vineyards 2010 Référence (Wallula Vineyard) Columbia Valley AVA - Washington State

Availability: Not yet available in BC. Contact winery direct here
Cost: $105 (USD)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 270 cases
Date Tasted: August 12th, 2012
Re-tasted: March 8th, 2013

Tasting Notes: From a barrel sample. When winemaker Charles Herrold worked at the Langley based Blackwood Lane winery (he left in 2010), two truly amazing, benchmark Canadian wines were produced under his direction: the 2006 and 2007 "Referènce". When deciding to go it alone and move his talents to Washington State, Herrold chose to recreate the essence of that ultra-premium blend and even elevate its execution (while correcting the spelling of the name).

The resulting wine is a familiar blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec with Herrold's signature concentrated-yet-gentle and endlessly-layered graphite and dark fruit flavour profile. Classic Meritage berry fruit and savoury, gun powder and Christmas cake spice flavours add complexity to the finely tuned oak treatment and proprietary yeast program that Herrold employs. Ultra fine tannins and perfect acidity levels create a wine for enjoying in its youth or for aging 15+ years. Drink 2013-2025+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Re-tasting Notes: Now bottled and soon to be released, the Référence is showing its youth and needs a bit more time to unwind and integrate. Potential for further development remains grand and worthy of a cozy corner of your cellar. Drink mid-2013-2025+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Dunham Cellars 2010 Riesling - 90-92pts

Dunham Cellars 2010 Riesling (Walla Walla) Columbia Valley AVA - Washington State

Availability: Costco or direct from winery here
Cost: $14.99
Alcohol: 11.8%
Date Tasted: August 26th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This single vineyard (Lewis Estate Vineyard) is loaded with mineral and citrus fruit on the aromatic nose and off-dry palate. Full bodied and quite unctuous with added honeydew, grapefruit and light spice notes balanced well with tangy citrus acid creating a refreshing finish. Has the specs and will to age nicely. Lay yours down for 2+ years to allow its full character to reveal itself. Drink 2014-2020+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Dunham Cellars 2008 Trutina - 91pts

Dunham Cellars 2008 Trutina (Walla Walla) Columbia Valley - Washington State

Availability: Costco and direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 14.1%
Date Tasted: August 28th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A proprietary blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Syrah and 16% Merlot with an inviting nose of sweet, ripe dark-red fruit where most, if not all three components have gone through a secondary malolactic fermentation contributing palate-coating butter characters and mannered acidity. Still fresh and mouth-watering, the acid balances the concentrated, rich cherry and blackberry fruit on the dry palate. Nice toasted oak, milk chocolate and licorice spice flavours add depth. Though an easy-drinking wine, it's quite complex and nicely layered. Still youthful after 4 years and should begin to peak in 2-3 more but further development may be minimal with the wine already in harmony and well balanced as the Latin name "Trutina" suggests. Drink 2012-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Columbia Crest Winery 2009 Two Vines Cabernet Sauvignon - 86pts

Columbia Crest Winery 2009 Two Vines Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley) Washington State

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $14.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: January 18th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Warm, inviting, ripe dark fruit and cherry-cola aromas greet you on the nose of this Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington State. A touch of sweetness is present both on the nose and palate which makes for a very easy-going drinking experience. The balance is a tad sharp to off-set the residual sugar and plum flavours. The finish is surprisingly lengthy for such a well-priced wine. An excellent option for dinner parties due to its mass appeal and food friendliness. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Long Shadows Vintners Collection 2005 Sequel - 93pts

Long Shadows Vintners Collection 2005 Sequel (Walla Walla) Columbia Valley - Washington State

Availability: BCLDB Signature stores
Cost: $80
Alcohol: 14.7%
Date Tasted: January 14th, 2012

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. This stunning Syrah from the 2005 vintage is still tasting fresh and youthful. Intense, dense cherry liqueur aromas mingle with hints of french oak and cinnamon creating a gorgeous, sweet and light spice developing bouquet. The intensity and concentration continues through to the dry palate. The entry is fruity with licorice, oak and mineral notes which transitions to a serious, terroir-driven expression of the Rhone varietal. Has the tannins, acidity and pedigree to last another 3-4 years. Drink Now-2015+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Eroica 2009 Riesling - 91pts

Eroica 2009 Riesling (Columbia Valley) Washington State - USA


Availability: Private wine shops
Cost: $20-30
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: June 20th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Not quite the blockbuster that the 2008 vintage offered, but a fabulous Riesling nonetheless with classic lemon, grapefruit and ripe apple aromas on the subtle, yet layered nose and concentrated citrus, herbs, apple and kiwi flavours on the effervescent, textured palate. Nearly off-dry sweetness compliments the prominent mineral notes on the palate and which contribute to the focused, coolness of the developing bouquet.

Produced from Columbia Valley fruit, the Eroica Riesling is a joint venture between Washington State's Chateau Ste Michelle and Germany's Dr. Loosen. The collaboration produces a spectacular Riesling year-in, year-out which seems to celebrate vintage variation rather than try to overcome it. Drinking beautifully now but will also reward careful cellaring with further development. Drink 2011-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Chateau Ste Michelle 2009 Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling - 87pts

Chateau Ste Michelle 2009 Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling (Columbia Valley) Washington State - USA

Availability: Limited in BC
Cost: $12-17
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: February 8th, 2011

Tasting Notes: The Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling from famed Washington State producer Chateau Ste Michelle offers concentrated aromas and flavours of grapefruit, lemon drops, caned peaches and rich tropical fruit. The balance is a bit hot but otherwise an admirable, off-dry, single vineyard Riesling with decent crispness and goo complexity. Drink 2011-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Eroica 2008 Riesling - 92-93pts

Eroica 2008 Riesling (Columbia Valley) Washington State - USA

Availability: Private wine shops
Cost: $20-30
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: February 10th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Produced in the Columbia Valley, the Eroica Riesling is a joint venture between Washington State's Chateau Ste Michelle and Germany's Dr. Loosen. The collaboration has produced a spectacular Riesling that manages the balance of sweetness to tartness and fruitiness to minerality with near-perfect precision.

Great concentration and focus on both the intense nose and off-dry palate with abundant citrus, herbs and stonefruit characters. The Eroica, Italian for "heroic", is an epic wine that all Riesling lovers must try. Both easy-drinking and complex, the wine is drinking beautifully its youth but will also reward careful cellaring with further development. Drink 2011-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Brian Carter Cellars 2005 L'Etalon - 91-92pts

Brian Carter Cellars 2005 L'Etalon (Columbia Valley) Washington State - USA

Availability: USA only. Direct from winery. Washinton State Costcos
Cost: $20-25 USD
Alcohol: 14.6%
Production: 900 cases
Date Tasted: June 20th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Winemaker Brian Carter is a master blender and the portfolio of wines at his Brian Carter Cellars winery showcases this skill front and center. For marketing purposes the blends are referred to by the famous regions from which they draw their inspiration, (a "white Bordeaux", a "Super Tuscan") but really, they are simply recipes that work and the resulting wines are pure Washington State constructed by a winemaker who clearly knows the terroir where the grapes are grown.

This "red Bordeaux" is a blend of 55% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 7% Malbec all sourced from Columbia Valley vineyards in Yakima Valley and on Wahluke Slope. Carter hasn't simply followed a recipe for a Right-Bank Bordeaux, he's pieced together a fantastic blend that balances the characteristics from each fruit.

Intense caramel, vanilla, oak spice, cassis and pencil shaving aromas on the nose are followed by big, concentrated flavours of dark fruit and minerals on the dry palate. The wine has aged beautifully with great tannin structure and shows signs that further aging will benefit the wine further. It is both vibrant and silky smooth. A balanced finish persists with a touch of oak spice. Devine. Drink now through 2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010