Lakeside Cellars 2019 Portage White - 87pts

Lakeside Cellars 2019 Portage White (East Bench Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $22 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 15th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A blend of 71% un-oaked Chardonnay and 29% Sauignon Blanc, the orchard fruit-scented Portage White is nicely balanced with an emphasis on playful acidity livening the oily body/texture, creating a crisp and lifted finish. Will make an excellent Summer Sipper which can be enjoyed on its own or with patio favourites; tapas, Mexican or salads. Drink now-2021.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca 

Lakeside Cellars 2019 Pinot Gris - 87pts

Lakeside Cellars 2019 Pinot Gris (East Bench Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $21 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 12th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A pleasant, fruit-forward Pinot Gris with some roundness and a touch of weight. Stone fruits lead the way on the nose and palate with lifted, nectarine and peach characters aplenty. Finish is long, balanced and mouth watering, making it very food-friend. Drink now-2021.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca 

Lakeside Cellars 2019 Sauvignon Blanc - 86pts

Lakeside Cellars 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (East Bench Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $25 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.8%
Date Tasted: July 9th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Opens with muted funk on the lightly pungent nose of lemon grass, passion fruit and peas. This is followed by a nicely constructed, yet, watery palate of gooseberry, citrus and mineral characters. Finish offers mouth cleansing acidity but doesn't hold any lasting weight. Drink now-2021.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca 

Lakeside Cellars 2019 Rosé - 86pts

Lakeside Cellars 2019 Rosé (East Bench Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $23 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.8%
Date Tasted: July 7th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A medium amber rosé comprised of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Cabernet Franc, offering a subtle nose of alpine strawberry, nectarine and Rainier cherry aromas. A bit watery, mid-palate, with the texture of table grape flesh and peach'n'grapefruit acidity showing on the tail-end and through the moderate-plus, lip-smacking, dry finish. Ready to go now, as (pretty much) all blush wines are. Drink 2020-2021.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca 

Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Renaissance Syrah - 89pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Renaissance Syrah (Osoyoos East Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: February 16th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Feminine in style with a generous, aromatic nose of violets, cherry, strawberry chiffon, spice and a touch of cola and licorice. This Osoyoos-sourced Syrah offers a lively palate with plenty of wild berry acidity and flavours of black cherry, sun-kissed blackberry and blood orange with persistent pepper spice through to the moderate-plus finish. Ready to go now and will hold for 3-4 more years. Drink 2018-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Syrah - 87pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Syrah (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here  and VQA stores
Cost: $25.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: October 27th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Both aromatic and dark, fruity and smoky, smooth and rustic. Goddess Dichotomy! I have found thy drink! 

These contrasting, juxtaposed, sometimes competing characters won't work for everyone (personally, I'm on the fence). Those that like a challenge will take pleasure in deconstructing the floral/cassis/toasted pepper nose and the plumy/minty/Middle Eastern Bazaar palate. While others will simply marvel, as I do, that so many aromas and flavours can be crammed into one wine. This may be the most memorable wine you taste all year. But will you enjoy it? Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Church and State Wines 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon - 87+pts

Church and State Wines 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (East Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 1000 cases
Date Tasted: April 15th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Lots to like and pick-out on the nose of this Osoyoos-sourced Caberner Sauvignon with aromas of blackberry, cola, mint, black raspberry and light French oak. Balance is a tad sharp on the masculine, dry palate, though, the dark fruit, cocoa and cooking spice flavours are framed nicely by firm tannins and rhubarb acidity on the moderate finish. Should hold for several more years if you're looking to put a few away for future consideration. Otherwise, open now and allow time for decanting. Pair with a chocolate plate after a savoury dinner to finish off the night in style. Drink 2014-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Anarchist Mountain Vineyard 2011 Élévation Chardonnay - 89+pts

Anarchist Mountain Vineyard 2011 Elevation Chardonnay (East Bench Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $26
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 3rd, 2013

Tasting Notes: The Anarchist Mountain Vineyard site has long been supplying grapes for other wineries but the latest owners, Andrew Stone and Terry Meyer Stone have decided to hold back some fruit and thrown their hat into the ring with this single-vineyard Chardonnay. The East Bench vineyard has an elevation of 1700 feet overlooking Osoyoos and produces aromas of opulent orchard fruit, sweet citrus, cool minerals and light spice. The palate offers good continuity from the nose with a pleasant texture and mouth-watering acidity, though, the oak program comes on a bit strong.

Overall, this gold-hued Chardonnay shows great promise for future releases from the Stone family, as the winemaking team get their oak and secondary fermentation program dialed in. This edition will benefit from further aging thanks to the mature vines (planted in 1985) who's fruit will stand-up to the caramel notes that will develop over the new 3-4 years. Drink 2015-2017+.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.casmooth toasted oak