Perseus Winery 2012 Select Lots Cabernet Franc - 89pts

Perseus Winery 2012 Select Lots Cabernet Franc (Similkameen Valley) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: August 9th, 2014
@PerseusWine

Tasting Notes: A tasty Cabernet Franc, sourced from a Similkameen Valley vineyard, offering ripe, black currant and plum aromas with a touch of forest floor funk in the background. The dry and smooth palate supports its alcohol nicely with a juicy/milky mouth-feel and plenty of red fruit and vanilla-spice flavours and light mineral undertones. Sealed with a Stelvin cap enclosure to seal in the wine's inherent freshness and juicy appeal. Ready to go now and will hold for another 3-4 years. Drink 2014-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Perseus Winery 2012 Cabernet Shiraz - 87pts

Perseus Winery 2012 Cabernet Shiraz (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: July 19th, 2014
@PerseusWine

Tasting Notes: This well-priced Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz blend (42% and 48%, respectively) benefits greatly, especially on the nose, from the inclusion of 10% Cabernet Franc which enhances the traditional blackberry and raspberry aromas with crushed violet and huckleberry notes. The medium-bodied, dry-yet-juicy palate offers ripe, berry fruit and mouth-watering, wild berry flavours supported by mannered tannins and lingering, oak and light spice notes on the moderate finish. 

Think medium-bodied meat dishes to match the weight of the wine, like a savoury, Tagine lamb stew. Drink 2014-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Perseus Winery 2013 Viognier - 88pts

Perseus Winery 2013 Viognier (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $TBA
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: July 17th, 2014
@PerseusWine

Tasting Notes: Distinguishes itself from other richly textured, tropical fruit-driven Viogniers with a cool, steely vein of minerals on the pineapple and white peach scented nose and the juicy/tangy palate. At 14.5% residual alcohol, this is not a wine for the faint of heart - it will brighten your cheeks. The fullness of the mouth feel helps manage the alcohol and enhances the length of the finish where citrus rind and steel notes linger. Drink 2014-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Perseus Winery 2012 Pinot Gris - 88pts

Perseus Winery 2012 Pinot Gris (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $16.90
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 8th, 2014
@PerseusWine

Tasting Notes: The comforting smell of ripe peach skins greets you on the nose of this tasty Pinot Gris from the Naramata Bench. The palate brings with it a wave of citrus fruit flavours and acidity before rounder orchard fruit notes appear and remain through to a mouth watering, long finish where hints of clove spice and minerals linger. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Perseus Winery 2010 Select Lots Invictus - 90pts

Perseus Winery 2010 Select Lots Invictus (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $32.99
Alcohol: 14.9%
Date Tasted: November 26th, 2013
@PerseusWine

Tasting Notes: Concentrated and dense, the Invictus, Perseus Winery's take on a Meritage blend of 56% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 % Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec, is rich in dark fruit aromas like cassis and blackberry with menthol, vanilla and pipe tobacco notes adding complexity. Unfiltered and earthy, the palate offers the dark fruit flavours one expects and desires from a Meritage but they are evenly matched by the copious, meaty tannins, wild berry acidity and savoury oak, leather and spice box flavours. 

Might be best to give this one another year in the bottle prior to opening, though, it won't disappoint should you forgo the advice and open one sooner. Be sure to decant for an hour+ and let the sediment settle prior to serving. Drink 2015-2018.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Perseus Winery 2010 Select Lots Cabernet Sauvignon - 92pts

Perseus Winery 2010 Select Lots Cabernet Sauvignon (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $49.99
Alcohol: 15.1%
Date Tasted: November 15th, 2013
@PerseusWine

Tasting Notes: The showpiece wine of Perseus Winery's current portfolio is this gorgeous, full-bodied, full-throttle, inky-purple hued Cabernet Sauvignon which delivers intense and ripe cassis fruit aromas on the smoky oak and clove-infused nose. Similar flavours grace the equally intense and compelling, ultra-dry palate where fine tannins add structure and notes of vanilla, black licorice and graphite add depth. Coming into its own now in late 2013, but another year in the bottle will do nicely. Drink late-2014-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Perseus Winery 2011 Select Lots Chardonnay - 90pts

Perseus Winery 2011 Select Lots Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $27.99
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: November 14th, 2013
@PerseusWine

Tasting Notes: An oaked Chardonnay, made from a blend of grapes sourced from the Naramata Bench and from Osoyoos vineyards, offering a excellent balance between the rich oak and malo-lactic fermentation elements and the pure orchard fruit flavours which contribute considerable tang and crispness on both the blushing nose and ever-so-slightly off-dry, full-bodied palate. The finish is moderate, but on point, leaving you wanting another sip (its main job). Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Perseus Winery 2011 Select Lots Syrah Malbec - 90pts

Perseus Winery 2011 Select Lots Syrah Malbec (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $28.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: November 13th, 2013
@PerseusWine

Tasting Notes: Sourced from vineyards in the Similkameen Valley and Osoyoos, this blend of 68% Syrah, 23% Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Merlot offers ripe and spicy red and blue fruit aromas on a charming nose enhanced with toasted oak notes and hints of cinnamon sticks. 

The palate is equally complex and compelling with blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, peppercorn, cardamom and dark chocolate flavours supported by fine tannins, mouth-watering acidity and enough residual sugar to add an opulent texture without veering towards 'trendy sweet'. The finish is long and balanced - another winner for Naramata Bench-based Perseus. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Perseus Winery 2011 Merlot - 88pts

Perseus Winery 2011 Merlot (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: BCLDB stores and direct from the winery here
Cost: $21.99
Alcohol: 14.4%
Date Tasted: November 12th, 2013
@PerseusWine

Tasting Notes: This purple-hued Merlot from Naramata Bench producer Perseus Winery opens with a subtle, masculine nose of wild blackberry aromas and hints of light oak and mineral notes. The dry palate is far more intense and boisterous, though, equally masculine, with mixed berry fruit, cedar, cherry-cola and earthy-mineral flavours well supported by fine, medium tannins and mouth-watering, alpine berry acidity. The finish is long and well-balanced; a quality Merlot that will pair beautifully with dark chocolate as an after-dinner treat. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Perseus Winery 2012 Gewurztraminer - 87pts

Perseus Winery 2012 Gewurztraminer (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from the winery here
Cost: $n/a
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: November 5th, 2013
@PerseusWine

Tasting Notes: The muted nose of this Gewurztraminer needs time to open up to reveal its delicate floral and exotic fruit notes. Orange blossom, kiwi, lychee, kumquat, flint and honeycrisp apple are all on offer. The similarly flavoured, nearly dry, lean palate, sees the apple and mineral notes lead the way through to the refreshing, though shortened, finish.

For folks put-off by oily, full-throttle, 'fat Goo', oozing with condensed lychee fruit, then this is the Gewurztraminer for you; delicate, balanced and refreshing. Ready to be enjoyed now. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca