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

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

River Stone Estate Winery 2016 Corner Stone - 91+pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2016 Corner Stone (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $36.89

Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: August 18th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A Right Bank inspired composition of 42% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot showcases Oliver-grown fruit in a beautiful way with a harmonious blend of ripe, dark fruit, minty-goodness, light oak, vanilla, savoury herbs and feminine notes of flowers and incense. Mannered, berry acidity lingers with the herbs and light spice on the finish with just a hint of blood orange citrus. Ready to go now, but library releases of older vintages have shown this wine to develop as it matures. Just don't wait too long. Drink 2019-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2016 Stones Throw - 89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2016 Stones Throw (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $28.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 860 cases
Date Tasted: August 7th, 2019

Tasting Notes: River Stone's Merlot-leading blend (78%) is a well-balanced, fruit-forward wine with layers of ripe, black cherry, blueberry and blackberry aromas on the feminine nose and similar flavours on the bright, mouth-watering palate which is nicely structured with smooth, light tannins. 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot round out the blend and contribute secondary notes of spices and fleshy dark fruits. Would make a good companion for leaner meats or enjoy it on its own, in its youth. Drink now-2022. 
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc - 89-90pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $31.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.7%
Production: 143 cases
Date Tasted: August 3rd, 2019
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: Just released and approachable in its youth, this Cabernet Franc opens with a gorgeous nose of pretty aromatics and savoury herbs, brambly berries and just a hint of evergreen needles. The palate is fresh and crisp with focused, wild berry fruit flavours and acidity, a touch of oak and layers of support, savoury notes; herbs'n'spice, vanilla and chalky earthiness. Ready to go now or hold for another 2-3 years for further development. Drink 2019-2025. 
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Malbec Rosé - 88pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $22.90 (including tax)
Alcohol: 12.8%
Date Tasted: July 24th, 2019

Tasting Notes: This 100% Malbec rosé, the colour of watermelon Jolly Rangers, opens with a subtle, aromatic nose of white blossoms and delicate red fruit aromas. Extended skin contact adds a nice kick of tannin, enhancing the complexity of the wonderfully textured, (mostly) off-dry and pleasantly mouth-watering palate. Grapefruit zest and light spice notes show on the long finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Pinot Gris - 89pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $20.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 236 cases
Date Tasted: July 13th, 2019
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: Though packing some weight, a touch of residual sugar and a hint of brass in the colour, this is an un-oaked, refreshing Pinot Gris with a crisp, vibrant edge to the otherwise aromatic nose and to the textured, mouth-watering palate. Peach pits and flesh, honeydew melon, floral notes and mineral-y, stone fruit and lime characters make this wine a great companion for seafood, spicy chips or Gruyere cheese. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - 88pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $21.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 234 cases
Date Tasted: July 17th, 2019
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: Subtler, on the pleasantly pungent nose than recent, more aromatic vintages, the 2018 edition of Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from a neighboring property in Oliver, keeps with the house style of a punchy mixture of herbs, citrus zest and tropical fruit. 

Minerals and a touch of spice show on the higher tempo palate where intense, yet smooth, citrus peel acidity and bite keep the off-dry levels of residual sugar in-check, leaving a dry, moderate finish. Ready to go now and to be paired with a hot Summer's day. Drink 2019-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2014 Corner Stone - 89-90pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2014 Corner Stone (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $35

Alcohol: 14.3%

Date Tasted: September 17th, 2018

Tasting Notes: An incense, minty-licorice and dark berry puree scented blend of 27% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Malbec and 8% Petit Verdot grapes all sourced from the winery's estate in Oliver or from nearby vineyards. The dry palate that follows is lively with plenty of mouth-watering, yet, delicate red berry acidity, a nice ratio of red fruit to spicy-oak flavours and fine, moderate tannins. 

Ready to go now or for best results, wait another 1-2 years for the onset of mature graphite notes to appear. Drink 2020-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2015 Stones Throw - 89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2015 Stones Throw (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $28.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14.7%
Production: 505 cases
Date Tasted: September 3rd, 2018

Tasting Notes: The hot 2015 vintage has produced an uber-ripe version of River Stone's 2nd red blend, Stones Throw, a compilation of 69% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec. Sweet and dense mixed-berry fruit lead throughout, with layers of pomegranate, boysenberry, light spice and chocolate covered blueberries adding depth to the (nearly) off-dry, full-bodied palate. Would make a great companion to sweet'n'spicy, BBQ ribs. Drink now-2021. 
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Sauvignon Blanc - 89pts

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

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $21.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 250 cases
Date Tasted: August 29th, 2018
@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: A pleasantly pungent, small-batch Sauvignon Blanc from Oliver-based River Stone Estate Winery, bursting with zesty, citrus'n'steel characters on the herbaceous, punchy nose and the textural, mouth-watering palate that explodes with bracing acidity (in the most appealing of ways).

Though in limited supply, the Sauv Blanc is always a stand-out of the River Stone portfolio. Ready to go now. Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca