Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Vidal Icewine - 91pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Vidal Icewine (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and LCBO stores
Cost: $27.95 (200ml)
Alcohol: 9.5%
Production: 3665 cases
Date Tasted: November 28th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Imagine the aromas and flavours of honey-drenched, canned apricots and melons and you'll be ready to sip this tasty Vidal ice wine from Niagara's Chateau Des Charmes. Unctuous, sweet and long, with a touch of citrus acidity mid-palate to add some balance to the custard-y texture. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Late-Harvest Optima - 90pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Late-Harvest Optima (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $28.99 + taxes (375ml)
Alcohol: 10.5%
Production: 791 cases
Date Tasted: November 27th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Late harvest humidity created the perfect environment for the block of Optima to be afflicted with Noble Rot (botrytis) which severely dehydrates the grapes producing a super-concentrated, fruit cocktail and citrus flavoured, fully off-dry dessert wine with good acidity and a touch of light minerals and savoury nuts on the finish. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Icewine Vidal - 91+pts

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Icewine Vidal (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $60 + taxes
Alcohol: 10.2%
Production: 190 cases (375m)
Date Tasted: April 10th, 2018

Tasting Notes: This brassy-gold hued ice wine is made from biodynamically farmed Vidal grapes harvested at -8ºC creating an unctuous, textural dessert wine loaded with ripe, orchard and Tropical fruit on the developing nose and the fully off-dry, long palate. Look for mango, peach, papaya and orange aromas and flavours.

Pair with a not-as-sweet dessert or try something different like a hard, white cheese like Swiss Gruyere. Drink now-2025.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Riesling Late Harvest - 90pts

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Riesling Late Harvest (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $30 + taxes
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 368 cases (375m)
Date Tasted: April 10th, 2018

Tasting Notes: This late harvest Riesling opens with the appealing aromas of honey-soaked apricots and honeycrisp apples and with a hint of lime in the background. The sweet, apricot and honeydew-infused palate has a solid, acidic backbone to keep this lovely dessert wine balanced. A touch of tangy apple notes linger on the moderate finish. Pair with a not-so-sweet dessert like a fresh fruit tart with no added sugar. Drink now-2023.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Graham's N/V Six Grapes Reserve Port - 89pts

Graham's N/V Six Grapes Reserve Port (Douro Valley) Portugal

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $24-28
Alcohol: 20%
Date Tasted: December 22nd, 2014

Tasting Notes: The name "Six Grapes" is a reference to the winery's visual, quality classification for barrels of years past ('6' was the highest). This is a reserve ruby port, meaning it is a composition of multiple vintages of ruby port wines blended together to consistently represent the brand, year-in, year-out (not dissimilar to house-style Champagne). Whether the port was bottled this year or in 2011, it should taste the same, though, word to the wise, ruby port is not meant to be aged for future development like its famous sibling, vintage port. Drink it within a year or two from purchase.

Sourced from multiple estates in the Douro and compiled of the four noble Douro grapes, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroc, plus small parts of other native grapes, the 'Six Grapes' offers intense red fruit, plum and licorice aromas supported by notes of mint, flowers and Ferrero Rocher confections. The fully sweet palate offers good continuity from the nose, though, with more focus on sweet berry and cherry fruit flavours. The finish is long and boisterous. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Late Harvest Riesling - 88pts

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Late Harvest Riesling (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $20 (375ml)
Alcohol: 11.4%
Production: 450 cases
Date Tasted: December 18th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Also sourced from the winery's home vineyard in Lillooet, this late harvest Riesling makes for an intriguing (and cost effective) aperitif bridge between an off-dry white and a fully sweetened dessert wine. 

Many late harvest wines are as sweet as their more expensive ice wine cousins, but the Fort Berens version, though bursting with intense, candied lychee and ripe peach flavours, does not overwhelm the palate with unctuous, syrupy fruit. Offers a pleasant 'grapey'-ness, like a fine, off-dry Muscat. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2009 Vidal Icewine - 90pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2009 Vidal Icewine (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and LCBO stores
Cost: $25.95 (200ml), $44.95 (375ml)
Alcohol: 9.5%
Production: 5308 cases
Date Tasted: December 20th, 2013

Tasting Notes:
At 4 years of age this Vidal icewine has developed a yellow-gold hue and some lip smacking caramel characters to go with the classic, honeyed orchard fruit flavours on the maturing palate. A nice vein of citrus acidity keeps the intense sweetness (mostly) grounded. Serve chilled, in the smallest, tulip shaped glasses you can get your hands on as you will only need a splash of this intense nectar to appreciate the craft and quality on offer. Drink now-2017+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Bench 1775 Winery 2011 Whistler Sauvignon Blanc Icewine - 90pts

Bench 1775 Winery 2011 Whistler Sauvignon Blanc Icewine (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $28.90 (200ml)
Alcohol: 12.3%
Date Tasted: December 20th, 2013
@Bench1775

Tasting Notes: Produced under Bench 1775's 'Whistler' brand, this tasty 100% Sauvignon Blanc icewine delivers an impressive punch of concentrated, honey crisp apples on the serene, sweet-smelling nose and on the well-balanced, intense palate. The sticky, pineapple upside-down cake and candied-peach flavours are beautifully managed with impressive, green apple acidity keeping the gooey texture fresh and mouth-watering. The finish is long, balanced and memorable. Best enjoyed on its own or with a slice of not-too-sweet apple pie topped with old Cheddar cheese. Drink now-2016+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2010 Moscato - 90pts

Cassini Cellars 2010 Moscato (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24 (375ml)
Alcohol: 19.6%
Production: 110 cases
Date Tasted: September 3rd, 2012

Tasting Notes: The success of this dessert wine is in its ability to stay rather fresh and relatively light in the mouth despite the nearly 20% alcohol and substantial residual sugar - a tall order. This charming, honeydew and spicy peach flavoured wine opens with a lovely nose of pecans, tangerines and violets and will compliment your favourite nutty pie or crème brûlée rather than compete with it. Ready to be enjoyed now and though it will hold for many years I'd recommend early consumption while the wine is still youthful and fresh with well-balanced acidity. Drink 2012-2014+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca