Summerhill Pyramid Winery 2008 Blanc de Noir - 89pts

Summerhill Pyramid Winery 2008 Blanc de Noir (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $34.90
Alcohol: 12.9%
Date Tasted: April 1st, 2015

Tasting Notes: Produced from Pinot Noir grapes in the traditional Champagne method, this lightly bronze-hued sparkling wine is delightfully dry and nicely textured with medium, persistent bubbles and a sophisticated combination of lees and peach skin aromas and flavours. Finish is mineral-y and refreshing, though, a little short. Drink 2015-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2012 Gentleman Farmer Vineyard Pinot Noir - 88pts

SpierHead Winery 2012 Gentleman Farmer Vineyard Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 97 cases
Date Tasted: December 7th, 2013

Tasting Notes: A dark ruby-hued, single-vineyard Pinot Noir from East Kelowna's SpierHead Winery offers a crowd-pleasing blend of cherry-cola, plum and sweet'n'spicy oak aromas on the moderately intense nose. The medium-bodied, dry palate follows with similar flavours and added light earth and forest floor notes, enhancing the complexity of the otherwise, juicy, fruit-forward expression of Pinot Noir. Its moderate tannins and good acidity make it a great match for a wide variety of medium cheeses and fowl entrées like duck or roasted turkey. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

St. Hubertus Estate Winery 2012 Frizzante Rosé - 83pts

St. Hubertus Estate Winery 2012 Frizzante Rosé (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $15.75
Alcohol: 11.9%
Date Tasted: June 24th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Mild effervescent texture on the palate pays homage to the "frizzante" used in the title, but "bubbly" it ain't, I'm afraid, in any sense of the word. This ruby-purple hued rosé goes Full Metal Rhubarb with a vein of sourness running through the red-fruit and mineral flavour profile. A little rustic and unruly, yet commendable for its intensity and resistance towards masking everything with residual sugar. Pair with standard picnic and BBQ fare. Drink 2013-2014.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

St. Hubertus Estate Winery 2012 Dry Riesling - 85pts

St. Hubertus Estate Winery 2012 Dry Riesling (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $15.75
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: June 13th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Both tropical and orchard fruit linger on the nose of this always well-priced Riesling from St. Hubertus Estate Winery based in Kelowna. The intense, dry palate begins with flavours of green apples, pineapple and minerals before the wave of mouth watering lemon/lime acidity takes over, finishing with a touch of spice and lingering bitterness. Not a stand-alone Summer Sipper, but good company for your patio dinner parties. Drink now-2015.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2012 Riesling - 89+pts

SpierHead Winery 2012 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores

Cost: $22
Alcohol: 11.4%
Production: 350 cases
Date Tasted: May 18th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Flinty with lemon-lime citrus notes aplenty, this well-balanced wine hails from East Kelowna yet adheres to the Niagara Riesling formula of matching sweetness to acid while keeping the alcohol low and maintaining a light and mineral-y texture. No clunky sugar and alcohol influenced palate here. Just clean, crisp fruit and terroir-driven flavours: a refreshingly honest approach. Should develop unctuous nectarine flavours if given time to mature, though tasting great in its youthful state today. Drink 2013-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Mission Hill Perpetua 2010 Chardonnay - 90pts

Mission Hill Estate Winery 2010 Perpetua (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: BCLDB stores

Cost: $35
Alcohol: 13.5%

Date Tasted: February 28th, 2013

 

Tasting Notes: A crowd-pleasing wine for when you want something very entertaining and well executed but perhaps not overly challenging - the Dan Brown novel of BC's top Chardonnay. The winemaking team allowed 50% of the blend to go through malolactic fermentation and used 25% new French oak to create the texture and body they were after and succeeded beautifully. Orchard fruit galore on the nose and palate with the oak treatment providing structure and the acid keeping you wanting more. Delicious. Drink now-2015.

- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2010 Vanguard - 88pts

SpierHead Winery 2010 Vanguard (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $29.90
Alcohol: 13.9%
Production: 265 cases
Date Tasted: November 14th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This is the winery's flagship release, a New World ode to Bordeaux with a final blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc offering a lovely, impressively ripe nose of cassis, blackberry, sweet pepper, spearmint and light, toasted oak aromas. The palate that follows doesn't match the diversity of the nose but does keep to the house style of a restraint, elegant presentation, though, a little more tannin and intensity would be welcomed. Lively acidity, medium tannins and a good balance of dark fruit, charred oak and lingering spice on the finish makes the Vanguard an excellent match for prime rib with all the fixin's. Another 6 months of bottle age is prudent here but don't hold beyond 4 or 5 more years. Drink 2013-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Oak Bay Vineyard 2011 Gamay Noir - 85pts

Oak Bay Vineyard 2011 Gamay Noir (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $15.75
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: October 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: Bright, spicy and tangy, this Gamay Noir, with its light tannins, high acid and rustic red fruit profile, makes a food-friendly addition to your dinner table when paired with roasted meats of the lean variety; turkey, chicken and pork tenderloin. On its own you may find the acid overwhelms the fruit and body on the palate, diminishing the length of the finish. Pleasant aromas of sweet black cherry, raspberry skins, licorice, dried cranberry and peppermint will delight no matter how it's served. Enjoy this well priced Gamay in its youth. Drink 2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Oak Bay Vineyard 2010 Pinot Noir - 87pts

Oak Bay Vineyard 2010 Pinot Noir (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19.50
Alcohol: 12.1%
Date Tasted: September 30th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This tasty Pinot Noir from Kelowna producer Oak Bay Vineyard finds the sweet spot between food-friendly and stand-alone sipper for the budget-conscious Pinot fan. Filled with sweet cherry, stewed raspberry, plum, sea mineral, cedar chip and vanilla bean aromas and flavours with light menthol cigarette notes. Its terroir-driven and red fruit characters rumble around the intense, mouth-watering palate with an authentic rawness; playing ever-so-slightly out-of-sync. An offset melody, but one that works and makes for some great rustic food pairings like BBQ salmon steaks or muscles. Drink 2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Oak Bay Vineyard 2011 Gewurztraminer - 87pts

Oak Bay Vineyard 2011 Gewurztraminer (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $16.75
Alcohol: 11.8%
Date Tasted: September 25th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The long, cool growing season of 2011 was successful for the naturally low-acid Gewurztraminer grapes allowing them to ripen and develop a nice bite to help balance the off-dry style that Oak Bay Vineyard employs.

The nose is muted, but when given time to warm-up a little, will reveal nice apricot and Asian pear aromas. However, this wine is all about a tasty, crowd-pleasing palate which delivers the fullness we expect from Gewurztraminer, without being overly chewy (thanks, again, to the acidity) and the flavour profile we rely on, spicy and tangy, to pair with our favourite Asian food.

The back label suggests a "classic" Alsatian style, but really this is a true BC "Goo" through and through and that's something to be proud of. Drink 2012-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2011 Riesling - 88pts

SpierHead Winery 2011 Riesling (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $21.90
Alcohol: 12.4%
Production: 185 cases
Date Tasted: August 4th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This is a Riesling to be served chilled. Cold even. It's an expression of Riesling whose individual parts turn a tad flabby when warmed to room temperature but when consumed straight out of the fridge combine into a classic terroir expressing gem filled with orchard and citrus fruit, good minerality and excellent texture - especially considering the low alcohol. Acid level is not for the faint of heart, yet, serves its purpose - balancing the fruit and full-ish body - leaving the wine with a (mostly) dry finish. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2010 Pinot Noir - 86pts

SpierHead Winery 2010 Pinot Noir (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $17.90
Alcohol: 12.1%
Production: 534 cases
Date Tasted: July 28th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This is the first vintage of Pinot Noir from the winery's south east Kelowna vineyard which has yielded a pleasant, food-friendly and red fruit centric wine that has been appropriately priced. A shrewd move which allows the firm the opportunity to over-deliver on expectations for an $18 Pinot Noir - and they do.

Not a terribly complex wine, typical for youthful vines, yet nothing is out-of-place. Nice sweet cherry notes on the nose blend nicely with light French oak aromas and a hint of vanilla. The dry palate offers similar flavours and a nice vein of acidity. A touch of bitterness on the finish will be masked when served with foods like a Thanksgiving roasted turkey. Drink 2012-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Intrigue Wines 2011 "11" - 87pts

Intrigue Wines 2011 "11" (Lake Country) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and BC VQA stores
Cost: $14.90
Alcohol: 12.4%
Production: 450 cases
Date Tasted: July 24th, 2012

Tasting Notes: At $15 bucks a pop this wine may be the best valued Summer Sipper for 2012. An effortless blend of Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Muscat Canelli that delivers good fruit expression and mouth-watering acidity without ever feeling "hot" despite its light bodied structure. This wine is lean, but in a good way. Focused and on point with pear, apple, orange blossom, pink grapefruit, table grape and lemon meringue flavours galore. It's refreshing and easy going - a joy to drink on a hot Summer's day. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Summerhill Pyramid Winery 2010 Riesling - 89pts

Summerhill Pyramid Winery 2010 Riesling (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19.95
Alcohol: 8.5%
Date Tasted: July 18th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This is an ultra-low alcohol, off-dry example of the Germanic variety with a concentrated, vibrant nose of apples, nectarines, flowers and steel aromas. The sweet and tangy palate follows with intense apricot, gooseberry and fruit cup flavours with green apple tartness. The acid is pleasantly mouth-watering though doesn't fully support the residual sugar, yet the pure and powerful expression of fruit is highly engaging and memorable. Enjoy this wine now or over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2011-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Summerhill Pyramid Winery 2009 Riesling - 90+pts

Summerhill Pyramid Winery 2009 Riesling (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19.95
Alcohol: 10.5%
Date Tasted: July 15th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Is doppelgänger a German word? Yes, obviously... and how apporpriate. In consuming this excellent, low-alcohol Riesling from Summerhill you would think you were drinking a fine wine from the German region of Mosel. Off-dry, yet supremely well-balanced with ample citrus acidity that allows the wine to finish crisp leaving your mouth watering and eager for more. The Mosel similarities are aided by the use of regional clones that were imported to Summerhill's Kelowna vineyard in the 70's and which help express terroir-driven characters of stainless steel minerality, stonefruit and a touch of Okanagan silver sage.

This Riesling has aged beautifully, with apricot aromas starting to bloom suggesting that future development is almost a certainty if properly cellared. Riesling fans are likely already familiar with the nectar-like evolution the top examples can achieve. For the uninitiated, this Summerhill release is an inexpensive option to start with. Expect, at least, solid mid-term cellaring evolution with this beauty. Though, if you can't wait, it's ready to be enjoyed now with your sun-drenched patio. Drink now-2017+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010 IconWines.ca

Mission Hill Estate Winery 2005 Oculus - 91pts

Mission Hill Estate Winery 2005 Oculus (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Sold out. Contact winery direct for library release
Cost: $70-90 est
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: December 16th, 2011

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. A blend of 42% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvigno, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot, the Mission Hill Oculus has lofty goals. Priced like a mid-range Bordeaux import, this dense, concentrated wine should knock your socks off with bold fruit, sublime French oak and effortless elegance. But a focus on longevity, with seemingly unnaturally high tannins, makes for a wine whose purpose is unclear. A cellar-dweller for sure, but eventually it must be opened and when it is the wine struggles in the glass, pleading to be returned to a cool, dark room where it may return to its hibernation. Three-plus hours of decanting helps to reveal the brooding, intense and worldly nose but the palate never fully awakens from its slumber and remains tight, closed off.

The nose alone is worth the effort and perhaps another year or two in the cellar will allow the palate to "finish", but I wouldn't bet on it. Best to enjoy it for what is now. Drink now-2015
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2009 Cabernet Franc - 89pts

SpierHead Winery 2009 Cabernet Franc (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $29.90
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 71 cases
Date Tasted: September 23rd, 2011

Tasting Notes: The developing house style for its red wines from this East Kelowna based winery is a focus on smooth, rounded, fruit-forward and utterly quaff-able releases worthy of appreciation and attention during early consumption. They are not bone dry, nor are they loaded with natural or artificially enhanced tannins for extended cellaring. They also tend to keep the alcohol level down, even during a hot vintage like 2009, thus the creamy body is due to the intense, lush fruit more so than the effect of glycerol on one's palate from excessive residual alcohol.

This Cabernet Franc, produced from fruit sourced from a Black Sage Bench vineyard in the southern Okanagan Valley, follows the house model to a tee. The delicate nose will entice you with ample potpourri and crushed fresh flower aromas followed by a full-ish, buttery palate of dark and red berry flavours with enough of an acid kick to keep the mouth feel fresh, vibrant and not overly creamy. The finish is long and complex with some lingering spice and fruit puree. Ready to be enjoyed now. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2009 Merlot - 89pts

SpierHead Winery 2009 Merlot (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $29.90
Alcohol: 13.9%
Production: 151 cases
Date Tasted: September 23rd, 2011

Tasting Notes: A touch of sage brush greets you on the nose of this delicious, smooth and decently complex Merlot. A mix of savoury, earthy and oak notes blend nicely with ripe blackberry, raspberry seed an mint aromas on the nose. The dry palate enjoys body from just a hint of residual sugar and lush mixed berry fruit flavours creating a lovely weight in your mouth. Good acidity cleans up any lingering loose ends into a moderate, well balanced finish. Round with an underlying tannin bite - may develop over time with proper cellaring. Drink 2011-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon - 88pts

SpierHead Winery 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $32.90
Alcohol: 13.6%
Production: 210 cases
Date Tasted: September 23rd, 2011

Tasting Notes: SpierHead Winery is based in Kelowna, BC and produces white wines from their estate grown fruit, but for their reds they source from a vineyard on Black Sage Road in the southern Okanagan Valley. Juicy cassis fruit dominates the nose of this well made Cabernet Sauvignon with vanilla and oak notes supporting. The dry palate benefits from the hot 2009 vintage with good ripeness of fruit and tannins. Produced in an easy-going, fruit forward, smooth style with added complexity from 18 months on French oak and lots of mineral elements. Finish is a bit short, but the balance is there with blue fruit characters, oak and acid evenly matched. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Sandhill 2010 Small Lots Program Viognier - 88pts

Sandhill 2010 Small Lots Program Viognier (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 658 cases
Date Tasted: August 4th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Leaner and crisper than its 2009 predecessor, losing a degree of richness in the overall balance in the process, yet still retaining the lush tropical fruit and fuzzy peach candy characters that make it one of the most consistent Viogniers in BC year-in, year-out. Good concentration on the fruity nose and mineral-filled, dry palate. The finish is very long with lingering orchard fruit and mineral flavours. Enjoy this vintage in its youth. Drink 2011-2012.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca