River Stone Estate Winery 2019 Corner Stone - 92pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2019 Corner Stone (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $46.90

Alcohol: 13.8%

Date Tasted: July 28th, 2023

@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: At four years of age this Bordeaux-style blend is coming into its own with developing aromas of dark fruit, licorice, menthol and smooth spices creating a lovely, masculine bouquet worth the time spent on enjoying it. The palate offers a similar flavour profile but comes across as still youthful and untamed, needing more time in your cellar or, at minimum, a very long decant before serving. Best to wait, if you can. Drink 2025-2029.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2023 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2022 Sauvignon Blanc - 89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2022 Sauvignon Blanc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $23.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.7%
Production: cases
Date Tasted: June 10th, 2023
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: This is a Sauvignon Blanc for lovers of the grape's pleasantly pungent qualities that are most often found in examples from New Zealand or the Loire Valley. Punchy and zippy on both the seductively stinky nose and potent palate. Look for lime zest and lime leaf, green apple, kiwi skin, cheese rind, chives and white peach notes with plenty of honeydew and lime acidity. The finish is both long and very crisp. Pair with oysters. Drink 2023-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2023 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2021 Cabernet Franc - 90-91pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2021 Cabernet Franc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $38.90

Alcohol: 13.7%

Date Tasted: June 3rd, 2023

@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: An earthy and brambly Cabernet Franc with wild berry, wild sage and aromatic, sweet cedar notes. Long, complex and layered with lots to explore as it evolves in your glass and in your cellar over the next few years. Drink 2023-2027.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2023 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2022 Malbec Rosé - 88pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2022 Malbec Rosé (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.90 (including tax)
Alcohol: 12.2%
Date Tasted: June 1st, 2023

Tasting Notes: For rosé connoisseurs, you'll find this likeable Malbec blush high on both the crispness and body indexes. Dry and well balanced, this is an aromatic and textured wine with real substance and plenty of red fruit, blossoms and rhubarb characters throughout. Think refreshing and refined, rather than delicate and demure for this pink beauty. Drink now-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2023 IconWines.ca

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Cabernet Sauvignon - 88pts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Cabernet Sauvignon (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: November 11th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A dark and broody Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the highest altitude vineyard in Oliver, Quails Wayside. This inky wine is dark in every way from the colour to the black fruit and charred oak on the nose and through to the similarly-flavoured palate enhanced with more darkness; blackened spices and charcoal tannins. There's a Lars von Trier, relentlessly dark quality at work here that won't appeal to those who want more of an approachable, robust-yet-refined approach to Cabernet Sauvignon, but, that style is hard to consistently produce in BC. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2020 Charisma Cabernet Merlot - 84pts

Gold Hill Winery 2020 Charisma Cabernet Merlot (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: October 11th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A bold and bright, red blend (specifics withheld) with intense, yet, shallow aromas of dark fruit and oak followed by a mouth-watering palate of similar intensity and depth. There are better options in the plentiful Cab-Merlot, entry red blend market. Or, try one of the winery's signature red wines: Gold Hill Winery 2018 Merlot or Gold Hill Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc. Drink now-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca 

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Cabernet Franc - 89pts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Cabernet Franc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: October 3rd, 2022

Tasting Notes:  An aromatic, food-friendly Cabernet Franc whose grapes were sourced from two distinctly different vineyards outside Oliver; the elevated Quails' Wayside vineyard West of the city and the winery's own Deadman Lake vineyard towards Osoyoos Lake in the South. Lots to like here as a pleasant, feminine nose of violet, blossom and ripe, wild berry aromas is followed by a vibrant palate where the wild berry theme continues in the form of lively acidity and flavours of herb-infused fruit. Oak treatment seems spot-on for the medium-bodied weight, light tannins and the lip-smacking finish. Drink 2022-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Pinot Noir - 88pts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Pinot Noir (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: October 1st, 2022

Tasting Notes: An unrefined, opaque Pinot Noir with subtle layers of cherry, wild sage and sweet herbs on the compelling, earthy nose. The juicy palate offers more prominent fruit with flavours of black raspberries, plums and black cherries supported nicely by the presence of  lightly toasted oak. A touch more acid would do wonders to the overall balance, but there's plenty to enjoy, on its own or paired with Thanksgiving turkey. Drink 2022-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2020 Charisma Malbec - 85pts

Gold Hill Winery 2020 Charisma Malbec (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: September 30th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Opens with a cheerful, fruit-forward nose of mixed berries and cherry aromas. This is followed by an under-ripe, medium-bodied palate of green-ish, dusty tannins and flavours of tart blueberries, tomato stock, herbs and oak chips. Pair with tomato-based stews. Drink now-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca 

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Riesling - 89pts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Riesling (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26 + taxes
Alcohol: 11%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: September 27th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A vibrant and well-balanced Riesling with an expressive nose of pineapple, nectarine and unpasteurized honey aromas followed by an off-dry, yet, dry-finishing palate with similar fruit flavours and additional notes of tangy peach, lemon-lime and a hint of ginger. A refreshing wine to be served on its own or as a nice counter-balance to hard, white cheeses like Gruyère. Drink 2022-2024+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Charisma Pinot Gris - 86pts

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Charisma Pinot Gris (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $21.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12%

Date Tasted: September 26th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A straight-forward, pleasantly crisp, Pinot Gris with no oak influence and citrus and stonefruit characters throughout. There's a hint of gripiness on the moderate finish due to citrus rind flavours or a touch of grape skin tannins. Should pair nicely with salads and a hot deck. Drink now-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca 

River Stone Estate Winery 2021 Sauvignon Blanc - 90pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $22.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: June 4th, 2022
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: One of the qualities that sets the River Stone Sauvignon Blanc apart is the presence of the grape's natural pleasantly pungent aromas which are, sadly, all too often missing from other BC-born editions of the Bordeaux variety. The 2021 vintage continues the winery's house style of punchy herbs, citrus zest, ripe melons and exotic, tropical fruit and finishes dry with a refreshing and crisp medley of lemon-lime, green apple, tin and honeydew flavours. Pair with your favourite seafood dinners or salty snacks. Drink now-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Stones Throw - 89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Stones Throw (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $29.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14.4%
Date Tasted: September 23rd, 2020

@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: A masculine counterpart to the winery's more feminine Corner Stone, the Stones Throw is meaty and mineral blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot with layers of dark fruit, prickly pepper, capsecum, chewing tobacco, blackened vanilla and elegant oak. Pair with leaner cuts of meat to match the vein of iron that runs through this tasty, long-lasting wine. Drink now-2023. 

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Corner Stone - 90-91pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Corner Stone (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $38.90

Alcohol: 14.1%

Date Tasted: September 22nd, 2020

@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: A sensual, rounded and generous, Right Bank inspired blend (Merlot leading with lesser amounts of the remaining 4 Bordeaux reds) oozing with ripe, red and dark fruit, lightly toasted oak, warm vanilla mocha and aromatic spices on the feminine nose and maturing, toasty-tannin palate. Already approachable at 3 years of age, has the bones to age gracefully with some further development, if you're patient. Drink 2021-2026.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Cabernet Franc - 88-89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Cabernet Franc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $31.90

Alcohol: 13.1%

Date Tasted: September 19th, 2020

@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: The 2018 vintage of River Stone's Cabernet Franc has vegetal notes intertwined with lovely, floral and red currant aromas on its nose and its spice and wild berry textured palate. A touch of iodine and toasted oak lingers on the longe finish. Pair with a juicy, rare tenderloin and look for further integration down the road. Drink 2022-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2019 Pinot Gris - 88pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2019 Pinot Gris (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $20.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 258 cases
Date Tasted: September 17th, 2020
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: River Stone is a charming, family-owned and run Estate Winery just North of Oliver and produces amazingly consistent wines each vintage, no matter what Mother Nature throws their way. The house style of their Pinot Gris release is defined by a straightforward approach in the vineyard and cellar; good fruit, no oak, texture and body from lees contact and their choice of yeast. Nothing flashy, nothing trashy. Good, honest Gris just like the family that produced it. 

Ready to go now and sealed with a Stelvin cap to help lock in its refreshing, orchard-to-citrus fruit ratio. Drink now-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2019 Sauvignon Blanc - 89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $21.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.7%
Production: 555 cases
Date Tasted: September 16th, 2020
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: Having tasted this consistently well-produced Sauvignon Blanc since its inception, the two words that always pop up as notes are, 'pleasantly pungent' and the 2019 is no different, continuing the house style of punchy herbs, citrus zest, ripe melons and exotic, tropical fruit. Finishes dry with a tangy and crisp medley of lemon-lime, green apple, tin and honeydew melon flavours. Very refreshing and palate cleansing. Pair with sweet crab meat or something salty. Drink 2020-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Merlot - 89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Merlot (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $25.90

Alcohol: 13.9%

Date Tasted: September 11th, 2020

Tasting Notes: This Oliver sourced Merlot opens with a lovely, expressive, spice'n'everything nice nose. These feminine characteristics are followed by a more masculine palate, not one void of fruit, but decidedly more firm and edgy with earthy tones, a touch of mineral and meaty, toasted oak tannins. Perfect for late Summer BBQs. Drink now-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Winemaker's Cut 2018 Bohemian Cuvée - 87-89pts

Winemaker's Cut 2018 Bohemian Cuvée (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $TBA
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: July 3rd, 2020

Tasting Notes: The youthful and masculine Bohemian Cuvée is sourced from two vineyards to the North of Oliver in the Southern Okanagan Valley and represents an assemblage of 40% Cabernet Sauvugnon, 25% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 10% Syrah. Cola-infused and nicely spiced, black fruit greet you on the nose preceding similar flavours on the greenish, iron-kissed palate. 

Tannins are a bit choppy and coarse but should mellow over the next few years. Either, put a bottle away for a couple of years of happy time in the cellar, or, open one now and allow a few hours to aerate. Pair with a leaner cut of beef like Filet Mignon. Drink 2022-2024+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Winemaker's Cut 2018 Syrah - 91pts

Winemaker's Cut 2018 Syrah (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 600 cases
Date Tasted: May 30th, 2020

Tasting Notes: An uber-spicy, masculine Syrah offering a dense nose pairing white and black pepper with black plum, vanilla, licorice and beef jerky aromas. A meaty, raw palate follow with layers of spice intertwining bright black cherry, cool iron, black and green peppercorn and toasted oak flavours. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2023.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca