Yealands Family Wines 2016 Peter Yealands Pinot Noir - 89pts

Yealands Family Wines 2016 Peter Yealands Pinot Noir (Marlborough) New Zealand

Availability: Costco
Cost: $16-20 USD + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 27th, 2018

Tasting Notes: As Marlborough Pinot Noir goes, the Peter Yealands ticks all the right boxes: earthiness-check, dark red berries-check, spicy plum-check, lingering smoky aftertaste-check. It's all there and it tastes good. Is it super distinctive from other Marlborough Pinot Noir? Maybe a skosh, in that this 2016 vintage integrates all the ticked boxes nicely and a hint of residual sugar adds welcomed texture lacking in other more straight-forward and more masculine Marlborough Pinots. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Marchesi Antinori 2016 Bramito Chardonnay - 91pts

Marchesi Antinori 2016 Bramito Chardonnay (Umbria IGT) Italy

Availability: Costco, Specialty stores
Cost: $16.99-19.99 USD + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: February 27th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Far from a 'showy' or bombastic Chardonnay, Antinori's Bramito, meaning the call of a deer in Italian, is subtle on the pitaya and Meyer lemon scented nose and on the well-balanced, citrus'n'spice kissed, medium-bodied palate where oak and melon flavours play only a supporting role to the leading spice and acidity layers. The finish is long with lingering spice and lemon/lime rind tingling your tongue through to the next sip. Both refreshing and food-friendly. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau Bouscasse 2012 Grand Vin - 92pts

Chateau Bouscasse 2012 Grand Vin (Madiran AOC) Occitanie - France

Availability: Costco
Cost: $18.99-23.99 + taxes USD
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: February 23rd, 2018

Tasting Notes: Hailing from the Madiran AOC in South-West France, this blend of 60% Tannat, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc makes one imagine a mash-up of a youthful, Right Bank Bordeaux with an aged, rustic Rioja; both raw and refined with floral-meaty-pruny characters and tannin to spare. Best to give this eclectic wine more time in the bottle to age and integrate further. Drink 2020-2024.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau D'Aqueria 2016 Rosé - 91pts

Chateau D'Aqueria 2016 Rosé (Tavel AOC) Rhone Valley - France

Availability: Costco
Cost: $14.99-17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: February 23rd, 2018

Tasting Notes: A 'pretty' rosé with an attractive, strawberry-orange colour and an abundance of strawberry-cola and floral aromas on the medium intense nose and a blend of similar flavours with lifted cran-watermelon notes adding freshness to the spice-infused palate. A long, citrus'n'spice kissed finish lingers. So refreshing. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Peachy Canyon 2015 Westside Zinfandel - 90pts

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 - 91pts

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

Chateau de Camarsac 2014 Cuvée Prestige - 88pts

Chateau de Camarsac 2014 Cuvée Prestige (Bordeaux Superieur) Bordeaux - France

Availability: Costco
Cost: $15.99-19.99 USD
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 21st, 2018

Tasting Notes: A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux, the Cuvée Prestige is a mellow, refined wine with a masculine-leaning flavour profile of spices, licorice, toasted oak, iodine, graphite and a black fruit. Perfect for lean cuts of beef. Drink now-2023.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Hahn Estate 2016 S.L.H. Pinot Noir - 90pts

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

Bethel Heights Vineyard 2014 Estate Pinot Noir - 91pts

Bethel Heights Vineyard 2014 Estate Pinot Noir (Eola-Amity Hills) Willamette Valley - Oregon

Availability: Limited, Costco USA
Cost: $32 usd
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 2000 cases
Date Tasted: March 14th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Often, the small lot or single block labels are the priciest and most sought-after releases from Pinot/Chardonnay houses as they are seen as the best at transmitting the unique characters of the terroir in question into the glass. However, the "estate" blends are often the most drinkable and approachable wines in the portfolio and can cost less than half the price. The Bethel Heights Estate Pinot Noir fits the bill. 

A blend of the winery's different Pinot blocks from their 100 acres vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of Willamette Valley. Quite robust, for a Pinot, with a classic, earthy/red-fruit base, dialled up to "11", and a medley of surprisingly compatible sweet and austere notes. Sure to please Pinotphiles both traditional and adventurous. Ready to go now. Drink 2017-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Taken Wine Co. 2014 Complicated Chardonnay - 90pts

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 - 89pts

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