Fort Berens Estate Winery 2016 Chardonnay - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 1400 cases
Date Tasted: September 2nd, 2017
Tasting Notes: A partially oaked (30%), multi-regional Chardonnay combining fruit from the home estate in Lillouet with smaller lots of Okanagan and Similkameen grapes, producing a vibrant, mouth-watering wine with edgy, refreshing Tropical and raw orchard fruit aromas and flavours with citrus vitality and a hint of oak in the background. Mineral notes and kiss of spice linger on the tangy, moderate finish. Drink 2017-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2016 Riesling (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here, VQA stores and BCLDB stores
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 1340 cases
Date Tasted: August 24th, 2017
Tasting Notes: Fort Berens is dialled-in with their handling of Riesling, whether it be this, their flagship off-dry label, their late harvest version or their new dry Riesling. Nary a Riesling is out of place on their portfolio.
The 2016 edition is a near carbon copy of the previous two vintages, perhaps with a touch more minerality on the Mott's fruit cup and fresh citrus scented nose and the slightly effervescent and refreshing, citrus and apple flavoured palate. Enjoy now or over the next 4-5 years. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2016 Dry Riesling (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here, VQA stores and BCLDB stores
Cost: $18.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 856 cases
Date Tasted: August 25th, 2017
Tasting Notes: New to the Fort Berens portfolio is a 'dry' Riesling to compliment their flagship, off-dry Riesling and their delicate, Late Harvest version. I add quotations around 'dry' because this wine still has 4.6g/l of residual sugar which is just 3g/l less than the regular Riesling at 7.6g/l. But when you consider overall balance, it certainly finishes dryer thanks to fine, fresh peach acidity that helps dissolve the sweet nectarine and tropical fruit flavours.
If the off-dry Riesling is Mott's fruit cup in-a-glass then the dry Riesling is a tangy, lemon-meringue pie. Both are built to last and ready to go now. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2014 Pinot Noir (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 674 cases
Date Tasted: January 9th, 2017
Tasting Notes: This super-drinkable, single-vineyard Pinot Noir which manages to keep with the established house style of tangy red fruit and spicy-cola characters on the vibrant nose and textured palate. Sweet aromas and flavours of cherry, plum and raspberry fruit pair beautifully with savoury and earthy notes and the hint of Apple Jack cereal. A touch of residual sugar on the palate makes for an affable entry, though, a wave of wild berry acidity helps the wine finish dry. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2015 Riesling (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here, VQA stores and BCLDB stores
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 1184 cases
Date Tasted: August 9th, 2016
Tasting Notes: A distinct, terroir-driven, off-dry Riesling with a lovely combination of Mott's fruit cup and stonefruit aromas and flavours and a signature, effervescent green apple and citrus acidity that livens the mouth feel and lingers on the otherwise, lightly-spiced finish. Oh so consistent. Enjoy now or over the next 4-5 years. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2015 Pinot Gris (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 641 casesDate Tasted: July 19th, 2016Tasting Notes: Produced from a co-ferment of fruit sourced from the winery's home vineyard in Lillouet (78%) and from the Blind Creek Vineyard in the Similkameen Valley (22%). A small portion of the juice was exposed to neutral oak and a secondary, malolactic fermentation while the rest saw only stainless steel with no "MLF" contact, creating a lovely, gentle texture on the glycerol-heavy palate and complimenting the peach/apricot, papaya and citrus medley of flavours. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2015 Pinot Noir Rosé (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99
Alcohol: 13.7%
Production: 352 cases
Date Tasted: June 25th, 2016
Tasting Notes: An orangy-pink rosé with a lovely combination of delicate, sweet berry fruit and warm, sage and dried herbs aromas on the appealing nose and the off-dry, approachable palate. Cool, steely-mineral notes and cranberry acidity balance the residual sugar nicely and linger on the finish. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
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
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Pinot Noir (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.99
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 475 cases
Date Tasted: December 29th, 2015
Tasting Notes: A fruit-forward Pinot Noir with cherry plum and raspberry aromas and flavours supported by light cola and oak notes on the appealing nose and the short-lived, slightly watery palate. Missing some of the intensity and depth of previous vintages of this Lillooet-sourced Pinot Noir. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Meritage (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $22.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 1246 cases
Date Tasted: November 28th, 2015
Tasting Notes: A blend of Bordeaux grapes sourced from the winery's home vintage in Lillooet and from the Sundial vineyard on the Black Sage Bench. The 2013 is made up of
60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, creating a masculine Meritage with classic red berry and dark fruit aromas and flavours plus intriguing notes of smoky, cured meats, coffee beans and charred oak. Dusty tannins and wild berry acidity frame the palate nicely. The finish is long with lingering spice, minerals and a touch of orange peel. Ready to be enjoyed now with a spicy, Korean BBQ dishes. Drink 2015-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Cabernet Franc (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.99 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.7%
Production: 743 cases
Date Tasted: November 2nd, 2015
Tasting Notes: A consistent flavour and aroma profile, year-to-year, yields a masculine Cabernet Franc with a nice blend of blue fruit purée and savoury herbs characters on the expressive nose and the uber-dry and mineral'n'oak-infused palate. Wild berry acidity and firm tannins frame the long finish where tongue-tingling bitter-spice and toasted oak notes linger.
Produced from a 70-30 split of grapes sourced, respectively, from the winery's home vineyard in Lillooet and from the famed Sundial vineyard along Black Sage Road in the Southern Okanagan. This Franc spends 10 months in barrel prior to bottling and then a further 9 months in bottle prior to release. This results in a ready-to-be-enjoyed-now wine, though, it should hold nicely for a few years as well. Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 White Gold (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $21.99
Alcohol: 12.9%
Date Tasted: April 30th, 2015
Tasting Notes: Fort Berens' White Gold is now made exclusively from Lillooet-grown grapes. It receives the full Reserve Chardonnay treatment with extended time in French oak barrels and a softening of the palate thanks to the malolactic fermentation process that contributes creamy textures and buttery-goodness. The lush orchard fruit on offer is grounded by a whispered chorus of cool green apple acidity, lime peel and light, stainless steel minerality. Notes of hazelnuts, toast and lingering spice add depth and character. Drink 2015-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2014 Chardonnay (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $17.99
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: April 27th, 2015
Tasting Notes: Tastes like a lean, mean, un-oaked Chardonnay, though, with the creamy-ish palate that comes from malolactic fermentation. Great combination of mineral, citrus and orchard fruit aromas and flavours with added layers of tropical fruit, clay and spice - great terroir notes from the Fraser Canyon that lasts a long time in your mouth. Drink 2015-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2014 Pinot Gris (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA storesCost: $15.99Alcohol: 12%Production: 1016 casesDate Tasted: April 23rd, 2015Tasting Notes: Pinot Gris in BC usually fall into two categories: plump or lean. The Fort Berens edition falls into the later with no oak contact and little-to-no malolactic fermentation influence. What you get is a lean, mean, Pinot Grigio-style machine that, despite its display of ripe melon fruit on the nose, is otherwise a vessel for raw, intense, tart orchard and citrus fruit. There are also layers of herbs and minerals adding depth and length to the finish. Enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2014 Riesling (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here, VQA stores and BCLDB stores
Cost: $15.99
Alcohol: 11%
Production: 1145 cases
Date Tasted: April 22nd, 2015
Tasting Notes: This single-vineyard Riesling is one to sip slowly, despite the urge you may have to take a big gulp of the finely balanced, off-dry fruit cup, cool stonefruit and zesty citrus characters. It evolves in the glass to reveal gentle, aromatic aromas of flowers and sweet orchard fruit as it warms up to room temperature. The palate sparkles with effervescent, green-apple acidity and steely minerality. The finish is long and mouth watering.
Enjoy this wine in its youth or, if you are proficient at delaying gratification, experiment with putting 1 or 2 bottles away for a few years and test for aged Riesling characters like honey nectar flavours or petroleum aromas. Drink now-2019+? - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2014 Pinot Noir Rosé (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $15.99
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 362 cases
Date Tasted: April 19th, 2015
Tasting Notes: There's the usual mix of sweet red fruit and tart cranberry aromas and flavours, but there's also nice sage-y, earthy layer on the appealing nose and a steely, mineral layer on the crisp palate. Not completely dry this year, though, the finish is long and refreshing. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2012 Pinot Noir (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 475 cases
Date Tasted: December 29th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Sourced from their home vineyard in Lillooet, this Pinot Noir has a wildness on the nose from alpine berry fruit and raw herbs and spices. Dark raspberry and cherry aromas round out the lightly oaked bouquet.
The bright, mouth-watering palate follows with a little less pronounced fruit and an increased presence
of earthy, terroir-influenced flavours. The bone dry finish is a tad bitter but satisfying. Pair with game or a turkey roast. Drink 2015-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery hereCost: $27Alcohol: 14%Production: 482 casesDate Tasted: December 21st, 2014Tasting Notes: A quaffable Cabernet Franc with sweet, blue fruit puree and savoury, herb garden aromas to enjoy. Shows its masculinity side on the dry palate where the fruit'n'herb theme from the nose is matched with mineral, oak and bell pepper flavours. Wild berry acidity and firm tannins frame the long finish where tongue-tingling spice and toasted oak notes linger. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Late Harvest Riesling (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $20 (375ml)
Alcohol: 11.4%
Production: 450 cases
Date Tasted: December 18th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Also sourced from the winery's home vineyard in Lillooet, this late harvest Riesling makes for an intriguing (and cost effective) aperitif bridge between an off-dry white and a fully sweetened dessert wine.
Many late harvest wines are as sweet as their more expensive ice wine cousins, but the Fort Berens version, though bursting with intense, candied lychee and ripe peach flavours, does not overwhelm the palate with unctuous, syrupy fruit. Offers a pleasant 'grapey'-ness, like a fine, off-dry Muscat. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 602 cases
Date Tasted: December 18th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Another superb Chardonnay from Fort Berens' home vineyard in Lillooet that offers a nice blend of orchard and tropical fruit, citrus and mineral characters on the expressive nose and the mouth watering, yet, rounded palate. Pears, papaya, white peach, river stones, slate and lemon/lime aromas and flavours will match nicely with scallop dishes, while hints of French oak and spice on the long, tangy finish make you crave another sip. Drink 2014-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
