Chateau Des Charmes 2015 Vidal Icewine - 91pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2015 Vidal Icewine (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Sold out
Cost: $27.95 (200ml)
Alcohol: 9.5%
Date Tasted: December 20th, 2018

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. An extra year of bottle age has enhanced the golden-brassy hue of this unctuous beauty from Chateau Des Charmes. This low-alcohol, Vidal ice wine is bursting with honey-drenched, apricot and nectarine aromas and flavours. Fresh peach acidity tames the sweetness on the finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2018-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

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

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

Chateau Des Charmes 2013 Vidal Icewine - 91pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2013 Vidal Icewine (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and LCBO stores
Cost: $25.95 (200ml)
Alcohol: 9%
Production: 3309 cases
Date Tasted: December 9th, 2014

Tasting Notes: This beautifully constructed, dense Vidal ice wine smells and tastes of a bowl of apricot and honeydew-infused custard adorned with shavings of candied lime peel. The unctuous, honeyed fruit is balanced nicely with lemon/lime acidity through to an everlasting finish. Divine. Drink now-2017+.
 - 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

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2011 Oldfield Series Kerner Icewine - 89-90pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2011 Oldfield Series Kerner Icewine (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $29.99 (200ml)
Alcohol: 13.3%
Date Tasted: November 8th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A remarkably consistent product from Tinhorn that boasts apricot, apple cider, lime and canned peach aromas on the gentle nose and similar flavours on the sweet and tangy palate. It's the juxtaposition of the sugary, fruit puree syrup and mouth-watering acid that makes for the uniquely icewine experience: an intense, lively texture, worth the price of admission. Palate also offers light nut flavours making this year's edition a great pairing for pecan pie or similar desserts. Put this icewine away for a few years and reap the benefits of a richer and more tropical palate. Drink 2012-2017+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Oldfield Series Kerner Icewine - 86-88pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Oldfield Series Kerner Icewine (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here. Select VQA stores
Cost: $29.99 (375ml)
Alcohol: 12.6%
Production: 302 cases
Date Tasted: September 30th, 2010

Tasting Notes: When conditions cooperate Tinhorn Creek produces icewine from their block of Kerner grapes (a winter-hearty cross of Riesling and Trollinger). In 2009 conditions were met and the result from the Golden Mile winery is a tasty treat of a dessert wine but one that lacks the overall intensity of the top icewines produced in BC.

The nose offers aromas of apricot, lemon rind, maple, slate mineral and smoky notes. The fully-sweet palate follows with a citrus medley of tangerine, orange rind and lemon flavours. This Oldfield Series release is appropriately priced as an entry-level icewine - one that can be enjoyed on its own or served over vanilla ice cream. Drink 2010-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Rollingdale Winery 2007 Pinot Noir Ice Wine - 93-94pts

Rollingdale Winery 2007 Pinot Noir Ice Wine (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $69.90 (200 ml)
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: March 20th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Pinot Noir is an unusual choice to use as the source grapes for an ice wine as the fragile berries are not ones to like the extreme cold needed to make the world famous sweet wine (-8 degrees C). However, in the hands of the Rollingdale winemaking team under the direction of Steve Dale, it delivers big.

Massive concentration of fruit aromas and flavours (apricot jam, strawberry, fuzzy peaches candy and raspberry cremesicle) are nicely contrasted with impressively high acidity. This leads to a very long, balanced and satisfying finish.

Minute skin contact and stainless steel fermentation result in an eye-catching strawberry-amber colour to this exquisite wine rather than a more traditional Pinot Noir colour like Garnet. This just adds to the uniqueness of the wine, one that will be the talk of any dinner party you take it to. Ready to enjoy now or lay down for up to 10 years to build further complexity. Drink 2010-2020. Ordering info at http://www.rollingdale.ca/
 - 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