Fairview Cellars 2009 The Bear - 92+pts

Fairview Cellars 2009 The Bear (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Private wine shops and as a library release from winery
Cost: $34.90
Alcohol: 14.9%
Production: 400 cases
Date Tasted: May th, 2012

Tasting Notes: 2009 was a good year for Bordeaux varieties in the Okanagan with both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot turning in some ultra-ripe performances. These varieties take center stage in the 2009 edition of Fairview Cellars' signature blend "The Bear" with Merlot providing plenty of berry fruit aromas and flavours and the Cabernet contributing gorgeous dark fruit and licorice puree characters. The addition of oak and mocha notes from the barrel aging process and from the terroir (Golden Mile Bench) makes for a complex trifecta of sweet berry fruit, intense dark fruit preserves and serious savoury notes.

Lovers of wines with a refined bite (fine tannins and mouth-watering acidity) will adore this vintage of The Bear. As for development, the sky's the limit. I look forward mightily to re-tasting this wine in two year intervals over the next eight as it melds and evolves. Drink mid-2013-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Chateau Pesquie Terrasses Grenache-Syrah - 90 pts

Chateau Pesquie Terrasses 2006 Grenache-Syrah (Ventoux - Rhone Valley)

Decanted: 30 min

Cost: $18.99 (BC Liquor Store)

Tasting Notes: Dark and smooth. The nose is sweet berries offset by spice and roses. The palate is berries, cherries, and pepper, and a nice spice finish. An opulent offering from Chateau Pesquie. This is one of those bargains I read so much about. RP rates this as a 92 and at $19 this is has a high cost to quality ratio.

I tasted this when it was about 32 Celsius out. Maybe not the best temperature for a fullish red wine, but I haven't had any red for awhile and was going into withdrawal. This would pair well with the new Metric album (Fantasies) while dreaming of the fall in a heat induced coma. - HC

Saxenburg 2006 Guinea Fowl - 87pts

Saxenburg 2005 Guinea Fowl (Stellenbosch, South Africa)

Decanted: 1 hr

Cost: $18.99 (BC Liquor Stores)

Tasting Notes: A lovely blend of 48% Merlot, 28% Shiraz and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon from South African producer Saxenburg. A full flavoured wine like a good Bordeaux, but the peppery Shiraz shines through. Decanted for an hour however, its complexity changed in the glass with further exposure.

Dark purple/red colour with intense smoke, leather and chocolate aromas. Black fruits, pepper and smoked meats on the palate. Intense tannins don't counter the long and satisfying finish.

This wine will pair nicely with game and red meats. A very good bargain at $18.99. - LC