IconScores.ca: Red Blend

Showing posts with label Red Blend. Show all posts

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

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.

Wild Goose Vineyards 2020 Red Horizon - 89pts

Wild Goose Vineyards 2020 Red Horizon (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $31.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: July 5th, 2023

Tasting Notes: An engaging, proprietary blend of Merlot (58%), Petite Verdot (13%), Cabernet Sauvignon (13%) and lesser parts of Malbec, Cabernet Franc and German cross called Dunkelfelder. The nose is rich and joyful with ripe red and black fruit, vanilla bean and sweet incense. The palate takes a dramatic turn towards smoky-dusty-tarry land by way of the most delicious of routes with the fruit along for the ride, but playing quietly in the backseat.

A pleasantly complex and unique blend that is ready to be enjoyed in its youth while your big, tannin-heavy reds mellow in your cellar (or closet). Drink now-2025.

Wild Goose Vineyards 2020 Cabernet Merlot - 88pts

Wild Goose Vineyards 2020 Cabernet Merlot (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $25-27
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 10th, 2023

Tasting Notes: A tasty, fruit-forward blend of Merlot and both Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon with dusty dark fruit, licorice, toasted oak, baking spice and a touch of menthol on the pleasing nose and lip-smacking palate. A slightly, above average entry in the very crowded, Cab-Merlot market. Drink now-2025.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Meritage - 92pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Meritage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $53 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 28th, 2023
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: The assemblage of Burrowing Owl's hand-harvested and barrel-aged 2019 Meritage is consistent with the 2018 with just a little more Cab Franc and a little less Merlot and Petit Verdot. The final blend is made up of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc, 23% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec all sourced from the winery's Oliver and Osoyoos vineyards.

True to its lineage, this vintage of the winery's flagship wine is powerfully feminine with excellent intensity on the bold, black fruit and mint-scented nose and on the smooth, yet, mouth-watering, dark fruit and spice-infused palate. Approachable in its youth, enjoy with nicely salted, leaner cuts of beef or with your best dark chocolate for an after-dinner treat. Drink 2023-2027.

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.

Gold Hill Winery 2016 Grand Vin - 89pts

Gold Hill Winery 2016 Grand Vin (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $65 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.4%
Date Tasted: October 6th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Marketed as the winery's 'flagship wine', the Grand Vin is meant to represent Gold Hill's highest achievement in winemaking but sometimes the individual parts shine brighter than the whole and that is the case with this Meritage blend when compared to some of their single-varietal bottlings of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Overall, there's lots to like from the layers of red and dark berry fruit on the nose and palate to the lovely, smokey notes that show throughout. Palate sweetness is mostly balanced by the plentiful, wild berry acidity and the dusty, fine tannins, but not entirely. Lacking complexity and longevity for the price point, this wine has already peaked and should be consumed by 2023. Drink now.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Athene - 89-91pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Athene (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: September 11th, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: A blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon (52/48) sourced from the winery's Black Sage Bench vineyard, the Athene is an uber-dark and brooding wine with lovely eucalyptus notes adding levity the dark fruit, black pepper and toasted oak scented nose.

The palate delivers great continuity, offering a similar flavour profile with plenty of mouth-watering, balsamic acidity and temperamental tannins in need of a nap (cellar time). Ready to go now (with a pairing of dark chocolate) if you want something fairly raw and gnarly, but best to wait another 2+ years for added development and integration. Drink 2025-2028.

Calliope Wines 2019 Figure Eight Red - 87pts

Calliope Wines 2019 Figure Eight Red (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $19-21 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: March 4th, 2022

Tasting Notes:

Juicy and approachable with food-friendly, brisk acidity, the Figure Eight is a straight-forward, entry-level, red blend of 73% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah and 1% Petit Verdot.

A flavourful blast of berries opens both the otherwise, nicely savoury nose and palate where the intense fruit is balanced with notes of licorice, tobacco and toasted oak and herbs. Pair with all-things BBQ'd or appies. Drink now-2024.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2018 Meritage - 90-91pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2018 Meritage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $50 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 4th, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: Burrowing Owl's 2018 Meritage is a blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec sourced from the winery's Oliver and Osoyoos vineyards. Hand-harvested and barrel aged for 15 months prior to the assemblage whereupon the wine is then aged a further 3 and a half months in oak before bottling. The resulting wine is big, yet, supremely approachable, with a rounded nose and palate offering bold, red and dark fruit characters, supported by savoury, spicy notes of wild herbs, dried earth, anise and toasty, aromatic wood.

A pretty and elegant wine to open now or to put away for a rainy day within the next 3-4 years. Enjoy with nicely salted, leaner cuts of beef or with your best dark chocolate for an after-dinner treat. Drink 2022-2026.

Cassini Cellars 2018 Godfather Red - 93pts

Cassini Cellars 2018 Godfather Red (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Contact the winery direct here
Cost: $80
Alcohol: 15%
Production: 145 cases
Date Tasted: November 24th, 2021

Tasting Notes: "The Godfather" is Cassini Cellars' uber-refined, Icon-level red showcasing the best the Golden Mile Bench winery has to offer in any given year. For 2018, it takes the form of a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend (67% and 33%, respectively) and presents a pretty, sophisticated expression of the varietals as grown and managed by the winery's winemaking team. Expect a silky-smooth, feminine wine with depth and balance; both on the aromatic nose and the fruit'n'savoury. Ready to go now at (nearly) 4 years of age, or, hold for another 3-5 years. Drink 2022-2027+.

Cassini Cellars 2018 Maximus - 92pts

Cassini Cellars 2018 Maximus (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $40 + taxes (est.)
Alcohol: 15.5%
Production: 500 cases
Date Tasted: October 26th, 2021

Tasting Notes: The 2018 Maximus is a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. It opens with a feminine, refined nose of both dense, dark fruit and cheerful, sun-drenched red fruit aromas and supporting notes of sweet tar, cherry nibs, anise and vanilla spice.

The palate needs another year or two in the bottle or a massive decant to unlock the elegance within. Look for a similar flavour profile as the nose with additional complexity thanks to the very present and balanced influence of oak. Best to be patient to maximus your investment and wait another year or two. Drink 2023-2028.

Cassini Cellars 2018 Quattro - 90pts

Cassini Cellars 2018 Quattro (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 1300 cases
Date Tasted: October 21st, 2021

Tasting Notes: This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah opens with a sexy nose of dark fruit and berry liqueur aromas and a supporting cast of licorice, vanilla and spice notes. The seductive nose is followed by a dense palate with a similar, dark fruit-leading flavour profile and a good amount of savoury goodness in its toasted oak, spicebox and peppery characters. Ready to go now or hold for further development. Drink 2021-2025+

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Summit - 91-92pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Summit - BC VQA

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $54.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9 %
Date Tasted: June 9th, 2021

Tasting Notes: Be sure to give your glass of Summit time to open up and take a moment to appreciate the sensual, harmonious bouquet of blue and dark fruits, vanilla-mocha, sweet spices and graphite. A medium-plus bodied, fine-tannin palate follows with a profile shift towards highlighting more of the savoury notes than the ripe fruit, creating an Old World feel sensibility.

A proprietary blend of 51% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec and 3% Syrah sourced from the winery's vineyards in both the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. This wine has the bones to age well and keep developing. Ready to go now or hold for another 3-4 years. Drink 2021-2025.

Cassini Cellars 2017 Maximus - 91+pts

Cassini Cellars 2017 Maximus (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $44 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 15.3%
Production: 550 cases
Date Tasted: November 18th, 2020

Tasting Notes: The 2017 edition of the Maximus is a compilation of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 8% Malbec. As a wine built to last, at only 3 years of age its showing a youthful, brooding nose today which needs plenty of time to open up. Look for concentrated, ripe dark fruit like cassis, black cherry and sun-soaked blackberry aromas to be supported by subtle, toasted oak and blackened vanilla notes. Spices and oak show more prominently on the, otherwise, similarly-flavoured palate where youthful, grippy tannins and fresh acidity add plenty of structure and texture. Best to wait another year or two. Drink 2022-2027.

Cassini Cellars 2016 Maximus - 91-92pts

Cassini Cellars 2016 Maximus (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Sold out. Look for the 2017 vintage direct from winery here
Cost: $44 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 15.4%
Production: 550 cases
Date Tasted: November 15th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Both beautiful and brooding, the 2016 Maximus is now a year on from its release and still showing youthful vitality. Robust, minty Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead here, with supporting roles played by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec which add juicy, ripe, dark berry flavours and aromatic notes of incense, spa spice and a hint of cola. 14 months in 2 year old barrels (both French and American) have nicely fused the fruit and savoury elements while refining the tannins and mouthfeel to silky levels. This blend should last for many years in your cellar with some further refinement to come. Or, enjoy now with a long decant. Drink 2021-2026.

Gold Hill Winery 2017 Cabernet Merlot - 88pts

Gold Hill Winery 2017 Cabernet Merlot (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.9%
Date Tasted: November 8th, 2020

Tasting Notes: This Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend offers a lively nose and palate of bright, blackberry, cherry and plum fruit with some dark, broody characters and light, floral notes adding some depth to the fruit-forward profile. Light tannins and lip-smacking acidity keeps the mouthfeel fresh and fluid, though, the finish looses its intensity quickly. Pair with a range of BBQ fare, but nothing too fatty or smoky. Drink now-2022.

Casa Santos Lima 2017 Red Blend - 88pts

Casa Santos Lima 2017 Red Blend Portugal (Lisboa) Portugal

Availability: Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $17-21
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: November 5th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Exceptional value on offer in this blend of multiple, native and international grapes - even with the crazy import taxes imposed in the BC market which can push this wine above $20. Easy-drinking thanks to its fruit-to-acid balance, subtle complexity and just enough tannic structure. Enjoy on its own or with cheaper cuts of beef. Drink now-2016.

Gold Hill Winery 2014 Grand Vin - 90pts

Gold Hill Winery 2014 Grand Vin (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $64.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 15.9%
Date Tasted: November 3rd, 2020

Tasting Notes: An intense, mature, Meritage blend featuring fully integrated, black and blue fruits, pretty aromatics and smooth, savoury notes. There is impressive, long-lived, lively acid on the lightly tannic palate which offers similar flavours as the nose. At already 6 years old and sealed with a synthetic cork, this wine won't likely develop further and should be enjoyed over the next 12-18 months. Drink now-2021.

Cassini Cellars 2017 Quattro - 90+pts

Cassini Cellars 2017 Quattro (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34
Alcohol: 14.7%
Production: 500 cases
Date Tasted: November 2nd, 2020

Tasting Notes: What was once an entry-level blend for the Cassini portfolio, the Quattro has evolved into a robust, powerhouse of a wine; full-bodied, intense and dense. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot opens with concentrated dark fruit and berry liqueur aromas with a susurrus of licorice and anise notes. The seductive nose precedes an equally dense and food-friendly palate which showcases similar flavours and additional layers of savoury goodness; charred oak, black cherry and dark spices. Ready to go now or hold for further development. Drink 2021-2026+

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2016 Altitude - 90pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2016 Altitude (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%

Production: 320 cases
Date Tasted: October 4th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, Upper Bench's Altitude open with an elegant, refined nose of well-integrated, blue and dark fruits, sweet vanilla, oak spice and a hint of blood orange peel. The palate is bright and alert with prominent, blackberry acidity, medium tannins and, again, nicely integrated, ripe, dark fruits and savoury oak characters. Ready to go now and pair with a lean cut of beef of a vegetarian lasagna. Drink 2020-2024.

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