Wild Goose Vineyards 2021 Riesling - 87pts

Wild Goose Vineyards 2021 Riesling (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 21st, 2023

Tasting Notes: Feminine with sweet, canned peach and apricot aromas on the delicate nose and a nice blend of ripe orchard fruit and refreshing, citrus acidity on the slightly off-dry palate. Finish is dry and crisp with hints of lemon peel. Drink now-2024.

  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2023 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

Wild Goose Vineyards 2020 Riesling - 87pts

Wild Goose Vineyards 2020 Riesling (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $23 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.6%
Date Tasted: September 14th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Sourced from winery's 37-year-old Riesling vines on their Okanagan Falls vineyard, this wine offers a subtle expression of the variety on the nose with a combination of peach pit and other stone fruit aromas and light, joyful aromatic notes. The star here is the slightly, off-dry palate with lots to enjoy from tangy, fresh peach acidity to playful, lemony-spices and a touch of herbs. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2024.

  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2021 Riesling - 88pts

SpearHead Winery 2021 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 

Cost: $21 + taxes

Alcohol: 13%

Date Tasted: April 25th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A (very) off-dry, yet, well-balanced Riesling with a pleasing mix of ripe apple, pear and peach notes on the mineral-scented nose. The palate has solid, fresh peach acidity to contrast the plumpy melon and kiwi-passion fruit flavours and is far less racy than the mouth-smacking, leaner 2020 vintage (and still available at the writing of this review). Pair the sweater 2021 edition with rich, hard cheeses or your favourite salty snack. Ready to go now. Drink now-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2020 Riesling - 89pts

SpearHead Winery 2020 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 

Cost: $21 + taxes

Alcohol: 12%

Production: 500 cases

Date Tasted: April 16th, 2021

Tasting Notes: Wow. This is a racy, lip-smacking, mouth-whacking, palate-cleansing Riesling. Opens with a seductive nose of green apple, grapefruit, lemon/lime and raw honey which is followed by similar flavours and additional notes of flint on the palate which has been balanced to finish dry. Ready to go now. Serve with seafood or pork chops. Drink 2021-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Riesling - 88pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Riesling (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $21.74 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 398 cases
Date Tasted: August 25th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Not as sweet as recent vintages (2019 has 7.9 g/l), yet, still a fully, off-dry Riesling and, as always, cheese-friendly. Well balanced with a touch of minerality throughout and a profile of crisp citrus and exotic fruits. Ready to go now. Drink now-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2019 Riesling - 87pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2019 Riesling (Cawston) Similkameen Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.8%
Date Tasted: June 25th, 2020

Tasting Notes: An off-dry Riesling sourced from the winery's Lazy River vineyard near Cawston. It opens with a subtle nose of white peach, Bosc pear, raw honey and candied lime aromas followed by a light-ish bodied, yet, lengthy palate of mineral-y orchard fruit and sweetened citrus flavours. Pair with roasted chicken or pork. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2019 Dry Riesling - 87pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2019 Dry Riesling (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 3,600 cases
Date Tasted: April, 29th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A crisp, citrus'n'mellon fruit driven Riesling that finishes dry and tart thanks to plenty of lemon zest and crab apple acidity. The nose is generous, especially as it warms, showcasing mineral and yeast notes which also run through the mouth-watering palate. A touch of spice lingers through to the next sip.

Pair with a rich, slightly spicy and cream-infused dish like perogies with sausage and a creme fresh dressing. Ready to go this year. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2019 Riesling - 88-89pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 

Cost: $21 + taxes

Alcohol: 12%

Production: 500 cases

Date Tasted: March 20th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Clean, crisp and vibrant, this lip-smackin', off-dry Riesling shows lively, green apple, stonefruit and citrus aromas and flavours with homey notes of blossoms and unpasteurized honey adding depth on the nose and palate. Ready to go now or hold for another 3-4 years for further development. Drink 2020-2023+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2016 "En Famille" Reserve Riesling - 90-91pts

JoieFarm 2016 "En Famille" Reserve Riesling (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $24.26 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.4%
Date Tasted: September 20th, 2018
Re-tasted: August 5th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Sourced from a block of Riesling planted in the St. Hubertus vineyard in 1978, the En Famille is both concentrated and delicate with a lovely, rich-yet-fluid texture thanks to off-dry residual sugar, effortless citrus acidity and fresh, pitted fruit flavours. Ginger, peach, mineral and dessert-friendly herbs notes add complexity to the nose and palate. Ready to go now or hold for another 2-4 years to wait for honeycomb characters to develop. Drink 2020-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Re-Tasting Notes: A year-on from its release, Joie's reserve Riesling is showing development of kerosene notes and enhanced minerality on the nose. The palate has integrated further and the balance has shifted dryer. Though evolved some, there is more to come, so keep to the original, suggested drinking window: 2020-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Monte Creek Ranch 2018 Riesling - 88pts

Monte Creek Ranch 2018 Riesling (Kamloops) - BC VQA

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from winery here
Cost: $18.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.7%
Date Tasted: May 11th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A white gold coloured Riesling bursting with intense citrus and green apple flavours and acidity whilst off-dry levels of residual sugar (8.9 g/l) mount an counter offensive to bring balance to The Force, though, somewhat failing short... this is not a Riesling for the faint of heart. It's an adventure, one best attempted on a hot Summer's day.

Look for layered aromas and plenty of texture from the spent yeast and an overall effervescent-ness, making one think of slightly under-ripe peaches, torn from the vine, split apart and hurriedly munched as the juice spills down your arm. 

Consider pairing with a hadr white cheese like Le Gruyere. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

On a side note: The winery's website lists the 2016 vintage of this Riesling as a new release still, so it's not clear when this new vintage will become available.

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Dry Riesling - 86pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Dry Riesling (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 3,600 cases
Date Tasted: May 29th, 2019

Tasting Notes: An aromatic and peachy, youthful bouquet greets you on the nose of this well-priced, bright'n'tingly Riesling. Off-dry levels of residual sugar are balanced, or rather dominated, by waves of citrus and fresh peach acidity on the crisp, mouth-watering palate. Pair with a contrasting texture of hard, white cheese like Gruyere to avoid palate fatigue. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2018 Riesling - 88pts

SpearHead Winery 2018 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 

Cost: $21 + taxes

Alcohol: 12%

Production: 500 cases

Date Tasted: April 30th, 2019

Tasting Notes: An off-dry Riesling bristling with fresh, citrus and green apple acidity and flavours of lemon/lime, stonefruit and slate. A touch of classic, kerosene notes grace the honeycomb, nectarine and floral scented nose. Ready to go now or hold for another 3-4 years. Drink 2019-2023+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

J. Hauller et Fils 2007 Vendanges Tardives Riesling - 89pts

J. Hauller et Fils 2007 Vendanges Tardives Riesling (Alsace) France

Availability: Limited. Specialty import
Cost: N/A
Alcohol: 12.1%
Date Tasted: January 13th, 2019

Tasting Notes: From the cellar... At 12 years old, the hue of this late harvest Riesling is decidedly golden and the bouquet, though muted, is showing lovely signs of age: lanolin, beeswax and apricot pits. Off-dry, yet, mostly stonefruit driven, rather than the Mott's fruit cup appeal of other late harvest Rieslings. Unctuousness grows as the wine rests and lowers to room temperature. Finish has shortened, but, remains long. Ready to go now or hold for a further 3-4 years. Drink now.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2015 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling - 89pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2015 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $18.95
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: August 21st, 2018

Tasting Notes: A touch more mellow and less intense than the excellent 2014 vintage, yet, very similar in profile with some front-loaded residual sugar and sweet melon notes floating above the familiar lime'n'mineral backbone. A touch of pear and citrus fruit flavours linger on the balanced, moderate finish. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Riesling - 88pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Riesling (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $14.95
Alcohol: 10.5%
Production: 479 cases
Date Tasted: July 17th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A lovely, nearly-colourless, subdued Riesling offering well-integrated, citrus, melon and orchard fruit on the delicate nose and the RS-kissed palate. Alcohol, overall sweetness and acid levels are (relatively) low and (most importantly) well balanced. Those looking for a bracing, in-your-face Riesling must look elsewhere. Ready to go now. Drink now-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2017 Riesling - 89-90pts

SpearHead Winery 2017 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores

Cost: $20 + taxes

Alcohol: 12%

Production: 500 cases

Date Tasted: May 7th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A crisp and raw Riesling with a youthful and masculine bouquet of citrus fruit rinds, peach stones, stainless steel and light, unpasteurized honey aromas. The tart palate offers similar notes showing great consistency from the nose with plenty of tense, lemon/lime and green apple acidity and finishing dry despite the 8g/l of residual sugar. Lingering, lemon thyme and lime zest flavours last through to the next sip.

Could use another 6-12 months in bottle to settle down and integrate further. Drink late-2018-2025+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Dry Riesling - 87pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Dry Riesling (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $15.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: TBA
Date Tasted: April 25th, 2018

Tasting Notes: The delicate nose of peach skin and nectarine aromas is no indication of the tart, grapefruit and green apple punch to the gut your palate is soon to experience. This (somewhat) dry Riesling is loaded with an array of citrus fruit and fresh, slightly under-ripe apple flavours and acidity. Pair with a contrasting texture of hard, white cheese to avoid palate fatigue. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Riesling Late Harvest - 90pts

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Riesling Late Harvest (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $30 + taxes
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 368 cases (375m)
Date Tasted: April 10th, 2018

Tasting Notes: This late harvest Riesling opens with the appealing aromas of honey-soaked apricots and honeycrisp apples and with a hint of lime in the background. The sweet, apricot and honeydew-infused palate has a solid, acidic backbone to keep this lovely dessert wine balanced. A touch of tangy apple notes linger on the moderate finish. Pair with a not-so-sweet dessert like a fresh fruit tart with no added sugar. Drink now-2023.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Muscat Frizzante - 87pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Muscat Frizzante (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $22 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.9%
Date Tasted: November 18th, 2017

Tasting Notes: The 2015 vintage Muscat Frizzante is refreshingly vibrant and dry (or Brut) very Prosecco, in style, with a lifted profile of citrus and stone fruit, minerals and a hint of lees. Bitter lime rind and a touch of spice linger  on the effervescent finish. A great holiday party aperitif. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca