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

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Sauvignon Blanc - 88pts

Gold Hill Winery 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Valley) BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 15th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A ripe Sauvignon Blanc with plenty of subtle layers of  passionfruit, citrus rind, bell pepper and stainless steel on the otherwise stonefruit-leading nose. Crisp and mouth-watering on the similarly stonefruit-flavoured palate with a touch of refreshing tartness and grape skin notes on the medium-plus finish. Ready to go now with your favourite seafood dishes like shrimp alfredo pasta. Drink now-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 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

Gold Hill Winery 2020 Sauvignon Blanc - 88pts

Gold Hill Winery 2020 Sauvignon Blanc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 10th, 2021

Tasting Notes: Opens with a nice nose of blossoms, white currant berries and a little of that attractive, Sauvignon Blanc stink. Palate is light, mineraly and refreshing with good acidity and a medley of apple, citrus and peach flavours. Overall, a subtle, delicate expression of the Loire Valley grape that might be best suited as a companion to a hot deck. Ready to go now. Drink now-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2020 Modest Wines La Graves Robber - 90pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2020 Modest Wines La Graves Robber (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $26.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.9%
Date Tasted: May 11th, 2021

Tasting Notes: A beautifully balanced and textured, Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blend (81/19 split) which spent some time in oak barrels, rounding the edges of the racy profile of crisp orchard fruit, honeysuckle, stone fruit and tangy citrus aromas and flavours. The mouth-watering, long finish offers lingering mineral and spices making this Graves-inspired blend a nice match for shellfish and sushi dinners. Ready to go now. Drink now-2022.

- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca 

Calliope Wines 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - 87pts

Calliope Wines 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - BC VQA

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 31st, 2020

Tasting Notes: This well-priced Sauvignon Blanc offers just the right amount of 'stink' on its expressive nose layered with green apple, raw honey and lemongrass aromas. Refreshing with racy acidity and crisp, Tropical and citrus fruit flavours. Bitter lemon zest notes and a touch of spice linger on the finish. A great pairing for oysters and other shellfish. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2019 Sauvignon Blanc - 90pts

La Frenz Winery 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19.91 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.1%
Date Tasted: May 1st, 2020

Tasting Notes: Sourced from multiple vineyards in the Central and Southern Okanagan Valley, the La Frenz Sauvignon Blanc bursts out of the glass with intense, pungent aromas of gooseberries, grapefruit, yeasty-brioche, stone fruit, and grass. The palate is bright and lip-smacking with plenty of texture and a hint of sugar, mid-palate, then finishes dry with citrus peel, minerals and a touch of lingering spice. To be enjoyed in its youth. Drink 2020-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Winemaker's Cut 2019 Sauvignon Blanc - 89pts

Winemaker's Cut 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 800 cases
Date Tasted: April 30th, 2020

Tasting Notes: BC Sauvignon Blanc is underrated. Sure, there is sub-par BCSB in the market, but a number of producers have chosen the right sites for this ancient variety and it has rewarded them handsomely. The Winemaker's Cut Blanc is sourced from a single vineyard in Oliver and, thankfully, it brings The Funk. Not overtly, like some of the stinkier versions from New Zealand. This one is more subtlety funky, like a punchy baseline you air-guitar along with at an afternoon, Jazz-Funk festival. Especially on the crisp'n'tart, grassy-citrus, mineral-kissed finish. 

Full of texture, on the palate, and offering a medley of citrus, tropical and orchard fruit notes throughout with raw honey aromas showing on the nose after a chance to open up. Ready to go now or hold for another year or two. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Stoneleigh Vineyards 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - 86pts

Stoneleigh Vineyards 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) New Zealand

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB and private stores
Cost: $16-18 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: November 28th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A citrus fruit and Asian pear dominant nose with a supporting layer of mineral and pungent aromatic notes. Palate opens with some residual sugar and plump orchard fruit upfront, then finishes crisp and refreshing with a touch of spice and citrus peel lingering. ready to go now. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

La Frenz Winery 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - 89pts

La Frenz Winery 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19.91 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.2%
Date Tasted: July 19th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A balanced, well-constructed Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of pungency on the nose but primarily a showcase for how nicely citrus and melon fruit can coexist. The palate is bright and lip-smacking with just a hint of residual sugar on the lightly savoury and effervescent finish. Ready to be enjoyed in its youth. Drink 2019-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Fairview Cellars 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - 90pts

Fairview Cellars 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 14.3%
Date Tasted: July 15th, 2019
@FairviewCellars

Tasting Notes: A pleasantly pungent and boisterous vintage of Sauvignon Blanc with aromas and flavours of gooseberries, grapefruit, crab apple, stone fruit, and grass. This Sauvignon Blanc has body and a corpulent, complex texture with layers of fruit peaking through tart tinges of citrus acidity and crisp, mineral notes. Drink 2019-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - 88pts

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine shops
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: July 17th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Opens with a subtle, Loire-esque scented nose with a focus more on fresh, fleshy fruit and rounded savoury aromas than the more in-your-face, pungent, New Zealand style of Sauvignon Blanc. This subtlety is juxtaposed by a bracing wave of Champagne-worthy acidity on the otherwise, similarly flavoured palate where added  notes of herbs, spice, minerals and lemon zest add complexity. Pair with Scallops or Oysters and enjoy this wine in its youth or over the next few years. Drink now-2020.
 - 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

Winemaker's Cut 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - 90pts

Winemaker's Cut 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26 + taxes
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 300 cases
Date Tasted: July 13th, 2019

Tasting Notes: The Winemaker's Cut Sauvignon Blanc, a single vineyard cuvée sourced from Oliver, explores textural layers on its crisp, mineraly and fruity palate and offers a subtle, delicate medley of citrus, tropical and orchard fruit aromas on the nose. Slightly dialed back from the extravagant 2017 edition, though, likely more accessible to the more casual fans of this pungent varietal. Ready to go now or hold for several years. Drink now-2023.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Bench 1775 Winery 2017 Estate Sauvignon Blanc - 90pts

Bench 1775 Winery 2017 Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25.90
Alcohol: 13.3%
Date Tasted: November 8th, 2018
@Bench1775

Tasting Notes: The new Estate Sauvignon Blanc label is 100% sourced from the winery's Naramata Bench vineyard and meticulously vinified in 5 separate lots (2 of which were aged in oak) prior to blending. Care and attention only rarely awarded to Sauv Blanc in BC.

This new release leans more towards the Loire Valley in profile when compared to the multi-site blends of previous vintages. Less pungency and more laser-focused fruit and minerality, though, a touch of exotic fruit shows on the otherwise, stonefruit and citrusy-peach flavoured finish. Enjoy on its own or as a confident companion to seafood dishes. Drink now-2020.
 - 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

Fairview Cellars 2017 Sauvignon Blanc - 88pts

Fairview Cellars 2017 Sauvignon Blanc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $20 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: August 30th, 2018
@FairviewCellars

Tasting Notes: BC Sauvignon Blanc range from bland to bracing and from pungent to pretty - and everywhere in-between. Fairview's 2017 edition of the ancient grape falls somewhere in the 'in-between'/'just right' area; not too acidic, not too stinky... and far from bland.

A mellow and balanced, orchard'n'tropical fruit flavoured Sauv Blanc witha pleasant, crispy edge of lemon peel and grapefruit that offsets the touch of palate rounding, residual sugar. This is the handsome, 40-year-old-man-with-his-shit-together of BC Sauvignon Blanc - not as flashy as the 20 or 30 somethings and not as flabby as the 60+ set.... 'just right'. Drink now-2020. 
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Winemaker's Cut 2017 Sauvignon Blanc - 91pts

Winemaker's Cut 2017 Sauvignon Blanc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Details at www.winemakerscut.ca 
Cost: $25 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 180 cases
Date Tasted: July 13th, 2018

Tasting Notes: An excellent, elegant, yet, bracing (in a happy, mouth-watering way) Sauvignon Blanc from a single-vineyard in Oliver with a pleasantly pungent and citrusy nose and a crisp, off-dry palate of apple-pear-lemon flavours that finishes long and dry with a touch of lingering mineral and spice. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Estate Bottled Sauvignon Blanc - 87pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Estate Bottled Sauvignon Blanc (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and LCBO stores
Cost: $15.95
Alcohol: 12.7%
Production: 7000 cases
Date Tasted: May 25th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Pleasantly stinky on the nose with a touch of asparagus and ammonia notes contributing some zing to the Asian pear, grass and stony, gooseberry aromas. Palate is well balanced with a touch of residual sugar contrasting the crisp apple and tangy citrus acidity and flavours. This platinum blond Sauvignon Blanc should make for a delicious sun quencher during the hotter months of the year (also known as 'Summer'). Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Two Oceans Wines 2017 Sauvignon Blanc - 85pts

Two Oceans Wines 2017 Sauvignon Blanc (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $10.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Cleaner, on the nose, than recent vintages which suffered from an overabundance of pungency. The 2017 edition of this budget Sauv Blanc is clean and crisp with light, tropical and pear fruit aromas followed by a tart, lip-smacking palate of citrus and tropical fruit flavours and acidity. A one-dimensional, yet, effective sun-quencher. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca