Intrigue Wines 2014 Riesling - 87pts

Intrigue Wines 2014 Riesling (Lake Country) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and BC VQA stores
Cost: $16.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.9%
Production: 501 cases
Date Tasted: January 30th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A sweet, aromatic nose of peach and blossom aromas and mineral undertones opens this tasty, single-vineyard Riesling originating from the Okanagan Valley's Lake Country district. The off-dry palate is equally sweet and expressive with a balanced, mouth-watering combination of ripe, white peach, honey crisp apple and lemon/lime rind characters. Finish is uber-tangy with a touch of lingering spice. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Arrowleaf Cellars 2010 Pinot Noir - 87pts

Arrowleaf Cellars 2010 Pinot Noir (Lake Country) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $17.99
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 965 cases
Date Tasted: September 17th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A classic and unpretentious Pinot Noir offering a delicate nose of cherry-cola aromas followed by an easy-drinking, light-bodied palate of bright red fruits, smooth, soft tannins and light forest floor flavours. Straight-forward Pinot but no element is out of place or out of sync. Supremely well-priced for the quality on offer. Early drinking recommended. Drink 2012-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Gray Monk Estate Winery 2009 Odyssey Meritage - 88pts

Gray Monk Estate Winery 2009 Odyssey Meritage (Lake Country) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and BC VQA stores
Cost: $34.99
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 779 cases
Date Tasted: June 15th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Reserved aromas of dark fruit greets you on the nose of this Merlot-Cabernet blend from Gray Monk. The intense yet lean, dry palate follows with ripe berry fruit flavours and lots of herbal notes. Some toasted oak and mineral characters adds complexity but fans of big, lush Meritage wines with gripping tannins and a long life should look elsewhere. This is a wine to open now and enjoy its subtle nature. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Intrigue Wines 2011 Focus Riesling - 89-90pts

Intrigue Wines 2011 Focus Riesling (Lake Country) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 69 cases
Date Tasted: August 9th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The Focus Riesling is clearly Intrigue's baby. Their standard, straight-forward, $17 Riesling is well-made and true to the vintage and varietal. The Focus, their top-tier Riesling, gets extra attention during harvest and fermentation, dialing the varietal expression "up to 11" - appropriate for the vintage, I suppose.

For only $3 dollars more, you get a much richer Riesling, both on the nose and palate, which results in a longer and more compelling drinking experience. The nose is subtle, but has depth with layers of pear, roasted lemon and lees. This is followed by an off-dry palate with measured acidity and a long, long, mouth-watering finish. Despite many of the specs (acid, alcohol and residual sugar) being virtually identical, the Focus Riesling is an altogether different and superior wine.

There's aging potential with this Riesling. If you can wait another 1-2 years you should be rewarded with some tropical notes added to the mix. Drink 2013-2017+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Intrigue Wines 2011 Riesling - 87pts

Intrigue Wines 2011 Riesling (Lake Country) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and BC VQA stores
Cost: $16.90
Alcohol: 12.1%
Production: 420 cases
Date Tasted: August 8th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A pleasant nose of lime rind, pear and light mineral aromas sitting comfortably in the glass followed by more prominent citrus and orchard fruit flavours on the vibrant palate. Produced in an off-dry style with 14g/l of residual sugar balanced beautifully by tangy, green apple acidity leaving a crisp and focused wine. Not challenging or overly complex, but well-made and true to the variety - all for just under $17! Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Intrigue Wines 2011 Gewurztraminer - 84pts

Intrigue Wines 2011 Gewurztraminer (Lake Country) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $16.90
Alcohol: 14.2%
Production: 210 cases
Date Tasted: July 31st, 2012

Tasting Notes: An off-dry, medium-plus bodied Gewurztraminer from Lake Country producer Intrigue which opens with a muted nose of violets, pink lady apples and canned sweet bamboo shoots. Good, citrus acidity and orchard fruit follows on the palate with lingering light spice and pink grapefruit tang but an out-of-place bitterness leaves your mouth a little confused. A pairing with spicy Asian food will help mask the aftertaste, but there are many similarly priced wines available in BC that won't require the restricted serving parameters. Drink 2012-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Intrigue Wines 2010 Merlot - 86+pts

Intrigue Wines 2010 Merlot (Lake Country) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 14.9%
Date Tasted: August 6th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This is a fairly easy-drinking Merlot that reminds me of a youthful Pinot Noir in some ways with mild tannins, medium body and lively acid on the fruit forward palate. Though, the nose is pure BC Merlot with loads of mixed berry fruit aromas and light sage brush notes.

A food friendly wine that would pair best with lean cuts of meat - nothing too fatty. Dark berries, light oak, coffee grinds and sour huckleberry flavours make for a refreshing palate with a touch of residual sugar adding some texture before finishing dry - and a tad sharp.

Despite the low tannins, I do believe this Merlot would benefit from another 6-9 months of bottle aging, taking its drinking window into 2013. Some of the sharp elements should meld a bit more and yeild a better drink. Drink 2013-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Intrigue Wines 2011 Pinot Gris - 89pts

Intrigue Wines 2011 Pinot Gris (Lake Country) Okanagan Valley - BC


Availability: Direct from winery here and BC VQA stores
Cost: $16.90
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 100 cases
Date Tasted: July 26th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Fans of the Burrowing Owl style of BC Pinot Gris, where a little residual sugar is left to add a touch of sweetness and help augment the body, will love this version from Lake Country producer Intrigue Wines. The side project of long-time Gray Monk winemaker, Roger Wong, Intrigue boasts a small, focused portfolio of, mostly, white wines, all available for $20 or less.

What distinguishes this Pinot Gris from the large scale Burrowing Owl release is the colour. Wong has chosen to leave the juice on the skins just long enough to impart the slightest brass, or "coral" hue which adds a little welcomed visual intrigue to the wine and helps it stand-out from the pack. Honeydew, orchard fruit and a little minerality caress the nose. Followed by a (mostly) dry, full-bodied palate brimming with similar flavours and a touch of tropical fruit notes. Has the acidity to balance the fruit nicely and should make for an excellent patio companion. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca