La Frenz Winery 2008 Montage - 90+pts

La Frenz Winery 2008 Montage (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $22.00
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: September 1st, 2010

Tasting Notes: If I were to sum-up the 2008 Montage with one sentence it would be "intense, balanced, complex and oh-so appealing". A perennial favourite of IconWines.ca due to its value for money. Yes, the price went from $20 to $22 for the 2008 vintage, but you get a lot of wine for that $22. If I were forced to buy one case of red wine each year (luckily I'm not) this would be the wine.

A blend of Shiraz, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon grown on their Rattlesnake vineyard, this wine has intense aromas of dark cherry, dark berries and licorice on the nose with light pepper notes. The dry, full-bodied palate offers concentrated flavours of blackberry, oak, warm gravel, cassis and plum with fine tannins and a chalky, lively texture. The finish is long and balanced with lingering oak spice and a slight tartness.

The Montage is always released ready to be enjoyed but further development can be expected with patient cellaring. Drink 2010-2014. http://www.lafrenzwinery.com/
 - Liam Carrier

Coyote's Run Estate Winery 2008 Black Paw Cabernet Franc - 88.5pts

Coyote's Run Estate Winery 2008 Black Paw Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Four Mile Creek) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from winery
Cost: $21.95
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: August 6th, 2010

Tasting Notes: From fruit grown exclusively on their Black Paw Vineyard (dark Toledo clay loam), this Coyote's Run Cabernet Franc offers impressive concentration of aromas and flavours for the tough 2008 vintage. Intense aromas of red fruit, baking spice and black tea with earthy and green vegetal notes on the nose. The dry palate has integrated tannins with good acidity and concentrated flavours of plum, blueberry and anise. A slightly chalky texture in the mouth with a moderate-plus finish. Nicely balanced. Drink 2010-2014. www.coyotesrunwinery.com
 - Liam Carrier and Hugh Carter

See also:
Coyote's Run Estate Winery 2009 Pinot Blanc

Catena 2007 Malbec - 89pts

Catena 2007 Malbec (Mendoza) - Argentina

Availability: Private and BCLDB stores
Cost: $22.99

Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 2010

Tasting Notes: If Montes is the wine family of Chile, Catena is the family of Argentina.  Their Malbecs are world renowned and they offer consistency year after year.  This Malbec is one of the entry level wines in their flight and accessible at $23.

Ideal for that summer BBQ with ribs.  It is concentrated ruby in appearance and opaque.  The nose offers perfumed blackberry and floral notes with light smoke and coffee.  The oak is evident on the palate with vanilla that compliments the blackberry.  The finish is long and smooth completing a beautiful and complex wine.  This wine is best enjoyed with food and would likely drink well through to 2015.

 - Hugh Carter   

Montes Alpha 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - 90+pts

Montes Alpha 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley) Chile

Availability:  BCLDB 
Cost:  $26.90
Alcohol:  14.0% 
Date Tasted:  June,  2010

Tasting Notes:  The Montes name is the Chilean standard in wine these days.  They present classic labels and their flight top to bottom is hard to beat anywhere in the world.  The prices Canadians pay make them accessible and wines of tremendous value.

A gorgeous Cabernet.  The appearance was dark ruby and almost opaque. A massive nose with aromas of mocha, cassis, and violets.  The taste is dry with high tannins and very concentrated.  Mocha and expresso come through as well as typical cassis.  Full bodied and smooth as silk.  This is wine is drinking young but drinking well.  Some juicy meats or sausages will cut through the tannins if you can't wait for the development this wine is sure to enjoy.  Drink through 2020.
- Hugh Carter

Majella Wines 2008 The Musician Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz - 88pts

Majella Wines 2008 The Musician Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz (Coonawarra) South Australia

Availability: BCLDB stores

Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: January, 2010

Tasting Notes:  A concentrated ruby core with a raspberry rim.  The nose expresses a steeliness with deep blackberry, white pepper, and obvious oak.  The oak is sustained on the palate with blackberry and green pepper.  The shiraz comes through with some spiciness and there are hints of green pepper.  The finish is long and spicy.  The Musician is straightforward and full bodied with excellent fruit concentration.  A solid sipper on its own, or good with a hearty BBQ.

Majella is a top producer of Cabernet in South Australia and this is a nice offering for everyday drinking.  No worries about putting this one down and waiting for development, the Musician is playing its tune right now. Drink 2010-2013.
- Hugh Carter ©copyright 2010 IconWines.ca

D'Arenberg 2006 The Dead Arm Shiraz - 93+pts

D'Arenberg 2006 The Dead Arm Shiraz (McLaren Vale) Australia

Availability:  BCLDB

Cost: $69.99

Alcohol: 14.5%

Date Tasted:  January, 2010

Tasting Notes:  Superb.  This was an amazing wine but at $70 it is not the greatest value (yet).  This wine requires patience and may not be for the every day drinker.

The Dead Arm name comes from a vine disease that randomly effects vineyards all over the world.  This infection causes one arm of the vine to slowly deteriorate into dead wood.  While one arm is dead, the other arm produces low yields with amazing intensity.

The appearance is almost ink black. The nose was deep and complex with oak, cedar, deep black current and light tangerine.  Savory and mouth watering.  The palate is silky smooth expressing bacon, a continuation of oak, and current.  The finish is unbelievably long with some light spice.  This is a big wine with medium tannins and medium acid.  It is drinking well right now but could do with some serious time in the cellar.  This wine is young at 6 years.  Drink 2014-2024.

 - Hugh Carter for Icon Wines ©copyright 2010

Tantalus Vineyards 2008 Riesling - 91pts

Tantalus Vineyards 2008 Riesling (Kelowna) - BC

Availability: Direct from winery or VQA stores

Cost: $22-$25

Date Tasted: January 2010

Tasting Notes: This riesling lives up to the hype. The appearance was clear straw.  On the nose expressions of petrol, butter, and green apple. The palate is clean and crisp with full fruit. Green apple continues with grapefruit and high acid. The finish was long and luscious and coats the mouth. Overall this is an extremely fine medium plus bodied wine with near perfect balance.  Works well with food.

Watch out for Tantalus. This relatively new winery has set the bar extremely high with their 2007 offerings and I look forward to future vintages. Tantalus has their focus right. Amazing riesling and great pinot noir. Drink now through 2014.

 - Hugh Carter for Icon Wines ©copyright 2010

Sileni 2008 Cellar Selection Pinot Noir - 88 pts

Sileni 2008 Cellar Selection Pinot Noir (Hawke's Bay) New Zealand


Availability:  BCLDB
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: January 2010

Tasting Notes:  Elegant and fun to drink.  The pinot noir of New Zealand are exciting and can express tremendous complexity with new world charm.  Hawke's Bay expresses desirable conditions for the heartbreak grape that rival some of the better growing conditions in the world.

This pinot had a garnet appearance and the nose was complex with candied cherries, stewed berries, meatiness, and undertones of light barnyard (so new world pinot).  The palate was smooth with prominent cherry, a touch of tannin, and medium acid.  A medium plus finish that added some violet notes.  Overall, a good wine with fun complexity on the nose.
- Hugh Carter

Blackwood Lane 2008 Vicuña Blanca - 87.5pts

Blackwood Lane 2008 Vicuña Blanca (Langley) Fraser Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. Private wine shops in BC
Cost: $19
Alcohol: 12.8%
Date Tasted: January 31st, 2010

Tasting Notes: Top Fraser Valley producer Blackwood Lane focuses most of its energy on their exquisite "Sommelier Series" wines but also offer two excellent house blends: Vicuña Roja and Vicuña Blanca.

The Vicuña Blaca is a tasty blend of Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chenin Blanc and Gewurztraminer which offer aromas and flavours of grapefruit, apricot and blossoms with good minerality. Crisp, refreshing acidity on the palate with a long, liguring finish makes this a great wine for a sunny, summer afternoon or to pair with spicy food. Ready to drink now.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Stratus Vineyards 2007 Ice Wine Red - 93pts

Stratus Vineyards 2007 Ice Wine Red (Niagara-on-the-Lake) Ontario

Availability: Direct from winery
Cost: $40.00
Date Tasted: January 1st, 2010

Tasting Notes:  Holy doodle this is good.  If you have been following Icon Wines you will know that I am a fan of Stratus wines in my home town of Niagara Falls.  This offering solidifies that Stratus is a super premium Canadian wine.  If ever in the area I highly recommend this winery.  You will not be disappointed by the ultra-modern tasting room.

The appearance has a strawberry/garnet core.  The nose had amazing strawberry, rhubarb, and concentrated vanilla.  The palate had concentrated strawberry, rhubarb and really good acid.  The finish was very very long.   If you do get your hands on this, when you are tasting it hold in your mouth for a while and see what happens.  You will be pleasantly surprised.
 - Hugh Carter for Icon Wines ©copyright 2010

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2004 Cabernet Franc - 88pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2004 Cabernet Franc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery

Cost: $39.00

Alcohol:  14.1%

Date Tasted: January 1st, 2010

Tasting Notes:  An excellent Cabernet Franc with a surprisingly short finish.  The appearance was concentrated ruby almost opaque.  The nose was concentrated and complex with notes of candied fruit, graphite, blueberry and vanilla.  The palate exhibited green pepper, blueberry, and vanilla.  This wine had an amazing nose with a wall of aromas, great concentration and good tannins.

This was a great wine but I think it has reached its peak and maybe getting on the tired side.  If you do have this sitting in your cellar.  I say drink it now.  The nose will keep you at it for a while guaranteed.  HC

Stoneboat Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir - 90 pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery 

Cost: $23.90

Alcohol: 14.2%

Tasting Notes: Wow.  A fantastic BC Pinot Noir.  The more I drink the wine of Stoneboat the more I am impressed.  With this offering Stoneboat has broken my top five BC wineries of the past year.  Value, quality, great wine making, and taste are the what make this winery a winner.

The appearance was ruby with a garnet rim.  The nose had light cedar and some woodiness, vegetal and cherry.  The palate had red berries, with spice and cedar.  There are great tannins and acid and this wine is smooth.  The finish was long and silky.  Overall this pinot is balanced, complex, with great body and a fantastic finish.  A great wine. HC

Ravenswood 2006 Vintners Blend Cabernet Sauvignon - 88 pts

Ravenswood 2006 Vintners Blend Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma California) USA

Availability: BCLDB

Cost: $18.99

Alcohol: 13.5%

Tasting Notes: Very Nice California Cabernet Sauvignon.  The appearence was garnet/ruby and concentrated.  The nose had aromas of dark berries, vanilla, pepper, and plum.  The berries continued onto the silky smooth palate with tight tannins and decent acid.  The finish was long with spice.  This is a full bodied wine.


Ravenswood is world renowned and a quality producer.  The Vintners Blend Cab Sauv. is the entry level of a deep roster and does not disappoint.  One surprise was the alcohol level of 13.5%.  Considering the full body and typically high levels in American Cab Sauvs; this was an interesting note.  Great food wine and does well on its own.  HC

Laughing Stock Vineyards 2006 Blind Trust - 90+pts

Laughing Stock Vineyards 2006 Blind Trust (Naramata Bench) Okanagan, BC

Availability: Direct From Winery (sold out). Private wine stores

Cost: $29-33

Alcohol: 14.3%

Tasting Notes: Deep purple appearance. The nose has white pepper, blackberry, graphite, and tobacco. The palate was young with vegetal, mixed berries, pepper and high tannins. The finish was spicy and long. Overall this was a well balanced and well structured blend with strong tannins and good acid. This wine will age well for 3-5yrs.

Laughing stock has a neat concept for their Blind Trust. They do not advertise the varietal blends for the wine, instead you have to find out what it is under the capping. Unfortunately for this particular bottle it was missing so it is a bit of a mystery still. I would surmise that it is heavy Cabernet Sauvignon(65%?) with Merlot(30%?) and Malbec (5%?). HC

K.W.V Cathedral Cellar 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - 88pts

K.W.V. Cathedral Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paarl) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB stores

Cost: $19.99

Alcohol: 14.0%

Tasting Notes: A really decent South African Cabernet Sauvignon. The appearance was concentrated purple. The nose had heavy cassis and light smokiness with notes of leather and chocolate. The cassis continued on the palate with notes of nibs. The tannins were medium plus and the finish was medium minus. Generally this cab sauv. is smooth with good fruit concentration and a beautifully complex nose. I would have liked to have a longer finish but the overall this wine was very nice.

South Africa is making some very nice cab sauv. but we see only a few decent ones in the BCLDB. SA is also getting a good reputaion for their bordeaux style blends. I've only seen a few but think I need to dig deeper. I've read a lot about the wine maker Eben Sadie and would really like to try some of his wines as he is getting a reputation as an innovator. Hopefully I come across some. HC

St. Hallett 2007 Shiraz - Grenache Gamekeepers Reserve - 89pts

St. Hallett 2007 Shiraz - Grenache Gamekeepers Reserve (Barossa) South Australia

Availability: BCLDB stores and private wine shops

Cost: $14.95

Alcohol: 14.5%

Tasting Notes: A great value Australian blend. The appearance was deep purple and opaque. The nose offered notes of coffee, raspberry, and black licorice. The palate was jammy and continued with raspberry, tar, and expresso. The finish was long and peppery. Overall this wine was smooth and bold, very fruit forward and very new world. If you like jammy wines this would be for you. Generally well balanced.

- Hugh Carter for Icon Wines ©copyright 2010

Tantalus Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir - 92+pts

Tantalus Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Kensington Square VQA Store

Cost: $30.00

Tasting Notes: A gorgeous wine. The best pinot noir of the year in my opinion. The appearance is ruby and concentrated. The nose was earthy and woody with notes of wet stone and forest floor. The palate had light oak with smooth cedar. The finish was long with medium tannins. An excellent terroir driven Pinot.

An elegant and subtle pinot noir with some old world style. The wine is extremely complex and I think it would benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar. Buy lots of this wine!!! HC

Therapy 2006 Pinot Noir - 88pts

Therapy 2006 Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery

Cost: Can't Recall

Alcohol: $26

Tasting Notes: Very nice. The appearance was light strawberry. The nose was complex with caramel, vegetal, and savoury. The palate had milk chocolate, and candied fruit. The finish was peppery and long.

I bought this in 2006 and felt it needed a bit of work in the cellar. Wow I was right. This wine might be at its peak. I really enjoyed this wine. It was balanced and mature. HC

337 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - 87pts

337 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Lodi foothills ) California - USA

Availability: BCLDB

Cost: $19.99

Alcohol: 14.5%

Tasting Notes: A nice Californian Cab Sauv. The nose was tar, black current, and plum. The palate has nice medium plus tannins, medium acid with chocolate notes. The finish was thick and chalky, with medium plus length.

Overall the wine was smooth. Considering the alcohol level I thought it would have been bolder and more full bodied. Generally it was well balanced. There are better value wines out there. HC

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery

Cost: $38.00

Alcohol: 14%

Tasting Notes: A beautiful example of a Cabernet Sauvignon. The fruit concentration for this wine was excellent. This wine was opaque, clear, and concentrated. The nose had strong cassis, licorice, pepper, vanilla, and light floral. The vanilla and cassis continued on the palate. The finish was long.

This is a beatiful, balanced wines, with soft tannins and good acid. This wine is complex. Great with steak and other meat dishes. HC