La Frenz Winery 2019 Reserve Pinot Noir - 91-pts

La Frenz Winery 2019 Reserve Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34.70 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.7%
Date Tasted: January 30th, 2022

Tasting Notes: 

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

The medium-weighted palate offers a similar fruit-to-savoury ratio with prominent, plum'n'cherry flavours leading the way. Fine tannins and effortless, wild berry acidity add structure and frame the long finish 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 2022-2025.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2008 Chardonnay - 88pts

LaFrenz Winery 2008 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Sold-out at the winery. Private wine shops.
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: August 16th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Strong minerality hits you first when pproducer La Frenz Winery, followed by grilled lemon, white peach, light oak and orchard fruit aromas.

The supremely balanced palate offers a welcomed continuity of components with flavours of orchard fruit,  minerality, butter cream, melons, and toasted oak. A touch of tart citrus brightens the ever-so-smooth mouth feel.

This Chardonnay is produced to be drinkable immediately upon release, however, the quality of the fruit and application provides aging possibilities one wouldn't normally get for this price-point. The 2008 is still tasting youthful. Drink now or leave it in your cellar for further development. 2009-2015.
 - Liam Carrier