La Frenz Winery 2021 Viognier - 86pts

La Frenz Winery 2021 Viognier (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $23 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: June 4th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Ripe, candied fruit open the beautiful nose of this melon-scented, off-dry blend of 85% Viognier and 15% Chardonnay. Though the honeydew acidity shows through, the 12g/l of residual sugar and creamy glycerin creates a slightly, unbalanced finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2021 Sémillon - 89pts

La Frenz Winery 2021 Sémillon (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $23 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.6%
Date Tasted: May 31st, 2022

Tasting Notes: Look for aromas and flavours of grapefruit, honeydew, kiwi, mango skin, lemongrass, and Asian pear on the fragrant nose and the mouth-watering, yet, oily palate of this Naramata Bench sourced Sémillon. Ready to go now of hold for the potential of further evolution. Drink 2022-2026.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2021 Alexandria - 88pts

La Frenz Winery 2021 Alexandria (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $23 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.6%
Date Tasted: May 31st, 2022

Tasting Notes: An off-dry, rich blend of 50% Muscat and 50% Schonburger sourced from the winery's Naramata Bench vineyards. Uber-ripe and creamy on the exotic fruit and melon scented nose with a touch of candied fruit on the well balanced palate which offers relief from the residual sugar by way of a refreshing wave of fresh peach acidity. Enjoy on a sunny patio with friends (and be prepared to open a 2nd bottle). Drink now-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2021 Chardonnay - 88pts

La Frenz Winery 2021 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine shops

Cost: $23.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.6%
Date Tasted: May 22nd, 2022
@LAFRENZWINERY

Tasting Notes: Always a crowd-pleaser, except for only the most fervent of the ABC militia, the 2021 La Frenz Chardonnay holds to the winery's "Peaches and Cream" style delivery comfort food in-a-glass. There's a bit more (and very welcomed) stone fruit acidity on the well balanced and approachable palate with juicy, fruit-cup characters throughout and a nice combination of bright, orchard fruit and creamy, baked pear flavours on the satisfying finish. Drink now-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2018 Malbec - 88-89pts

La Frenz Winery 2018 Malbec (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $26 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.8%
Date Tasted: May 20th, 2021

Tasting Notes: This Malbec (blended with 12% Syrah) is a full-bodied, juicy feast of lovely spice, black plum, sun-ripe blackberry and sweet earth characters on both the approachable nose and well-balanced palate whose ratio of fruit-to-savoury notes is spot on. Give this one a rest until the Summer of 2022, if you can wait, to allow for further integration. Drink 2022-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2020 Chardonnay - 88pts

La Frenz Winery 2020 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine shops

Cost: $20.78 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.6%
Date Tasted: May 22nd, 2021
@LAFRENZWINERY

Tasting Notes: The La Frenz, Peaches'n'Cream Chardonnay is comfort food in-a-glass, delivering a likability score of... Yum! Well balanced and approachable with juicy, fruit-cup aromas and flavours and a clean backbone of nectarine acidity to keep the finish crisp. You will finish the bottle after you open it, be warned, and don't age this Chardonnay more than 1-2 years, enjoy it in its youth. Drink now-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2017 Malbec - 88-89pts

La Frenz Winery 2017 Malbec (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.26 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.4%
Date Tasted: May 7th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Blended with 14% Syrah, this is a full bodied Malbec with a lovely run of spice through the black plum, sun-ripe blackberry and sweet earth scented nose and the similarly flavoured palate. Finish is a touch hot and short, but the overall balance of fruit-to-savoury characters is spot on. Give this one a rest until the Summer of 2021 to allow for further integration. Drink 2021-2024.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2019 Sauvignon Blanc - 90pts

La Frenz Winery 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19.91 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.1%
Date Tasted: May 1st, 2020

Tasting Notes: Sourced from multiple vineyards in the Central and Southern Okanagan Valley, the La Frenz Sauvignon Blanc bursts out of the glass with intense, pungent aromas of gooseberries, grapefruit, yeasty-brioche, stone fruit, and grass. The palate is bright and lip-smacking with plenty of texture and a hint of sugar, mid-palate, then finishes dry with citrus peel, minerals and a touch of lingering spice. To be enjoyed in its youth. Drink 2020-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2014 Grand Total Reserve - 91pts

La Frenz Winery 2014 Grand Total Reserve (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40-45 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.8%
Date Tasted: July 16th, 2017
Re-tasted: December 31st, 2019

Tasting Notes: Built for the long-haul, with excellent concentration and refined, youthful tannins, this blend of 42% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc delivers an intense and powerful nose of dark fruits, menthol, Christmas spices, toasted oak with a hint of sweetness emanating from the ripe fruit aromas. The palate keeps to the robust-meets-restraint formula for this label with similar characters as the nose and additional, charming notes of mocha, leather and tangy, brambly berries. Excellent length in the finish where spices linger through to the next sip.

Put this one away for another 2-3 years to make the most of your investment. Drink 2019-2024+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Re-tasting Notes: Has aged well to this point, but the development ceiling feels as though it has been reached. Youthful tannins have mellowed, as expected, and thankfully, the menthol notes have not faded away and still add depth and intrigue. Overall fruit profile has shifted a bit towards candied from its more brambly beginings. Drink now-2022.

- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - 89pts

La Frenz Winery 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19.91 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.2%
Date Tasted: July 19th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A balanced, well-constructed Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of pungency on the nose but primarily a showcase for how nicely citrus and melon fruit can coexist. The palate is bright and lip-smacking with just a hint of residual sugar on the lightly savoury and effervescent finish. Ready to be enjoyed in its youth. Drink 2019-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2015 Chardonnay - 88pts

La Frenz Winery 2015 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine shops

Cost: $22-26
Alcohol: 13.6%
Date Tasted: November 8th, 2016
@LAFRENZWINERY

Tasting Notes: The La Frenz Chardonnay is comfort food in-a-glass, delivering a likability score of... Yum! Well balanced and approachable with juicy, fruit-cup aromas and flavours and a clean backbone of peach acidity to keep the finish crisp. Don't age this Chardonnay more than 1-2 years, enjoy it in its youth. Drink now-2017.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2013 Reserve Pinot Noir - 92pts

La Frenz Winery 2013 Reserve Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $35 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 5th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Opens with a luxurious nose of big, California-ripe, red fruit aromas which instantly grab your attention, yet, this is BC Pinot Noir, through and through, with layers of both savoury and sensual notes like dried spices, sweet peat, spiced plum, French vanilla cream and dark chocolate. 

The palate offers a similar fruit-to-savoury ratio with prominent, dark cherry and black plum flavours leading the way, medium-plus weight, fine tannins and effortless, wild berry acidity adding viscosity to the finish and leaving your mouth watering and in-anticipation of the next sip. 

Ready to go now, though, holding for a further 2 years may yield additional development. Drink 2016-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2014 Chardonnay - 87pts

La Frenz Winery 2014 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine shops

Cost: $22-26
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: July 1st, 2015
@LAFRENZWINERY

Tasting Notes: Opens with the, as-advertised, peaches and cream aroma profile on the welcoming nose with citrus and mineral notes playing a strong supporting role. The palate is both vibrant and smooth, with a nice combination of bright, orchard fruit and creamy, baked pear flavours contributing depth and texture. The finish is satisfying with a touch of sour, citrus peel and spice lingering. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2012 Shiraz - 88pts

La Frenz Winery 2012 Shiraz (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited
Cost: $28
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: April 26th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A floral, peppery and minty nose opens this Shiraz from popular Naramata Bench producer La Frenz. A feminine expression of the Rhone Valley variety with ripe, red fruit and spicy-cola flavours, light cream weight, tangy, wild-berry acidity and soft, smoky tannins. Ready to be enjoyed now and over the next 3 years. Drink 2015-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2013 Sémillon - 89-90pts

La Frenz Winery 2013 Sémillon (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: October 12th, 2014

Tasting Notes: The La Frenz' house style of Sémillon remains a celebration of the Bordeaux variety's unique juxtaposition of mouth-watering, citrus tang and palate-coating, lush melon fruit. Each sip sees both parts of the wine's melody played harmoniously, creating a memorable experience - well-worth the price of admission. 

Look for aromas and flavours of grapefruit, honeydew, mango, lemongrass, hay and Asian pear. Has the bones to age well for another 2-3 years with unctuous, nectar qualities likely to develop, though, the synthetic cork enclosure puts longer cellaring at risk. Drink 2014-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2012 Montage - 89pts

La Frenz Winery 2012 Montage (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: August 26th, 2014

Tasting Notes: La Frenz's middleweight red blend combines Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Noir to produce a red fruit and oak'n'spice infused wine ideal for early consumption over the next 1-2 years. Aromas of mocha, plum, vanilla and Cadbury Flake bars adorn the sweetly scented, engaging nose while meaty, savoury notes compliment the red and blue fruit flavours on the dry palate. Mellow tannins and tangy, mouth-watering, wild berry acidity keeps the wine refreshing and an ultra-flexible food companion. Buy it by the case and make it your house red to the delight of all your guests. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2012 Alexandria - 89pts

La Frenz Winery 2012 Alexandria (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: August 30th, 2013

Tasting Notes: A bolder version of Muscat when compared to some of its delicate Okanagan Valley peers who focus more on the subtle, pure grape characters VS highlighting its potential for big, juicy orchard fruit flavours like La Frenz has chosen to do. Peach, apple, apricot, citrus and stonefruit aromas and flavours round-out the profile of this joyous, off-dry wine suitable for Sunday brunches or dreary Winter nights when you're dreaming of the warmth of Summer. Not a wine to hold in your cellar for long - best enjoyed in its youth. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2012 Riesling - 90pts

La Frenz Winery 2012 Riesling (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 11%
Date Tasted: August 31st, 2013

Tasting Notes: The aromatic intensity is back for the 2012 edition of the La Frenz Riesling - always one of the valley's best constructed examples of the Germanic varietal - with ripe, tangy honeydew melon, grapefruit and Asian pear aromas escaping from the glass supported by light tropical notes. Off-dry levels of residual sugar are well-balanced by the mouth-watering green apple and pineapple acidity on the palate adorned with boisterous orchard and tropical fruit flavours. A nice vein of minerals runs through the palate to the long, balanced finish where just a hint of spice is perceptible. A supremely consistent wine for La Frenz worth aging for 1-2 more years if you have the patience. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2012 Sauvignon Blanc - 90pts

La Frenz Winery 2012 Sauvignon Blanc (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: August 16th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Tangy citrus, ripe papaya and sea shells grace the nose of this boisterous Sauvignon Blanc from Naramata Bench produce La Frenz Winery who, through past success, have become one of the most consistent producers of the French variety. The palate's flavour profile, which ranges from lemon/lime to green apple to stonefruit to brioche, benefits from selective blending from multiple fruit sources and prolonged lees contact creating mouth feel and a long finish.

Ready to be enjoyed in its youth, though short-to-mid-range cellaring is not out of the question. Drink 2013-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2010 Shiraz - 90pts

La Frenz Winery 2010 Shiraz (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. 2011 vintage since released
Cost: $28
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 15th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Opens with a feminine nose of generous white pepper, burnt cedar, fresh violets and dark cherry aromas followed by a well balanced and similarly flavoured, spicy dry palate. Comparable in style to other 2010 BC Syrah which yielded a more aromatic and lighter bodied style with ripe, fine tannins rather than the beastly, mouth-drying tannins of previous vintages. Ready to be enjoyed now and over the next 3 years.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca