Sperling Vineyards 2015 Riesling Late Harvest - 90pts

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Riesling Late Harvest (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $30 + taxes
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 368 cases (375m)
Date Tasted: April 10th, 2018

Tasting Notes: This late harvest Riesling opens with the appealing aromas of honey-soaked apricots and honeycrisp apples and with a hint of lime in the background. The sweet, apricot and honeydew-infused palate has a solid, acidic backbone to keep this lovely dessert wine balanced. A touch of tangy apple notes linger on the moderate finish. Pair with a not-so-sweet dessert like a fresh fruit tart with no added sugar. Drink now-2023.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2014 Late Harvest Riesling - 89pts

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2014 Late Harvest Riesling (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 +taxes (375ml)
Alcohol: 8%
Production: 390 cases
Date Tasted: February 7th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A medium-sweet, late harvest companion to the winery's superb, dry(er) Riesling showcasing a similar, citrus-infused, stonefruit backbone and sourced from the same home vineyard in Lillooet. The mouth-watering backbone supports lush, exotic fruit aromas and flavours like papaya and lychee with familiar, orchard fruit notes of ripe peach and apricots. Delicious. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Bench 1775 Winery 2013 Whistler Late Harvest Chardonnay - 88pts

Bench 1775 Winery 2013 Whistler Late Harvest Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here or select VQA stores
Cost: $29.90 (375ml)
Alcohol: 11.3%
Date Tasted: December 22nd, 2014

Tasting Notes: A fully sweet dessert wine that makes for a (relatively speaking) economical alternative to ice wine, this late harvest wine is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes that hung on their vines well into the Winter. Typical Chardonnay aromas and flavours are present, orchard and tropical fruit, with added notes of sweet honeycomb, raisins and peaches from the extended ripening and dehydration the grapes experienced on the vine. Lemon/lime acidity keeps the palate's sweetness from overloading your taste buds and improving this wine's function as an aperitif. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Errazuriz 2007 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc - 89pts

Errazuriz 2007 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley) - Chile

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $13.99 (375ml)
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: February 27th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Late Harvest wines offer an excellent and affordable alternative when the impressive funds needed to purchase icewines aren't available. Having been produced in Chile makes this excellent and highly concentrated, sweet Sauvignon Blanc from Errazuriz even more of a great value. The intense nose of apricot, lemon and honey is followed by and equally intense, watery-textured sweet palate of honeyed citrus flavours. Enjoy nearly all of the intensity of an icewine without the palate coating heaviness and at a fraction of the price. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca