Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2015 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir - 87pts

Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2015 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) Sonoma County - California

Availability: BCLDB 
Cost: $24-27 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: October 19th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Opens with a nice combination of red fruit, minerals and toasted oak aromas on the medium intense nose. A medium-everything, dry palate follows with a similar flavour profile and with added cedar chips, spice and forest floor/earthy notes through to the short-ish finish. Fine, smooth but not terribly refined. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2014 Chalk Hill Chardonnay - 90pts

Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2014 Chalk Hill Chardonnay (Sonoma County) California - USA

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $27.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: September 11th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A wonderfully balanced Chardonnay with a solid mineral backbone on the joyful, sweetly-comforting, baked aroma scented nose and the refreshing, orchard and citrus fruit infused, full-bodied, oak-kissed palate. Finish is moderate-plus with some lingering spice, lemon peel and 'hot' alcohol notes. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2015 Chardonnay - 89pts

Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2014 Chardonnay (Sonoma County) California - USA

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $22.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: September 10th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Though only 60% barrel fermented for 6 months, there is plenty of oak and malolactic fermentation influence at work in this blend of Chardonnay from numerous Sonoma County vineyards. Sweet nut and buttery notes grace the apple, pear and baked citrus scented nose with a lengthy, round'yet'vivacious palate following with similar flavours and slightly sharp, citrus peel acidity. Lees and spice linger with citrus notes on the finish. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Taken Wine Co. 2014 Complicated Chardonnay - 90pts

Taken Wine Co. 2014 Complicated Chardonnay (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Costco USA
Cost: $12 usd
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: March 14th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A well-structured and balanced Chardonnay with a lifted nose of fresh, orchard fruit and Spring blossoms with light mineral and oak notes adding depth. Full-ish palate is clean and crisp with mouth-watering acidity and plenty of citrus and peach flavours. Just a kiss of oak contact lingers on the moderate finish. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery 2013 Gravel Bed Red - 96pts

Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery 2013 Gravel Bed Red (Sonoma County) California - USA

Availability: Private wine stores like Everything Wine
Cost: $49.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: April 16th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A blend of Bordeaux varieties sourced from multiple Sonoma County vineyards all with one thing in common: rocky, gravely soils. Intense and refined on the nose with rabbit-hole depth; cassis purée, ripe blueberries, vanilla extract, chocolate covered coffee beans and light, rocky mineral aromas.

The palate continues the refined complexity theme with concentrated, sweet blue fruit and moody, dark fruit flavours supported by effortless, fine tannins and mouth-watering, fresh berry acidity. The finish is epic with lingering vanilla, cassis, cooking spice and light minerals. This wine sits beautifully in the mouth and should be appreciated on its own or with an after-dinner plate of fine, dark chocolates. Drink 2017-2023
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2013 Chardonnay - 89pts

Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2013 Chardonnay (Sonoma County) California - USA

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $19.99 + tax
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 11th, 2015

Tasting Notes: Though, a haze of smoky, toasted oak and caramel aromas hits your nose first and suggests a heavy, viscous wine is on its way, this Chardonnay is surprisingly only medium-bodied and well balanced with orchard fruit leading the way on the palate. A touch of ripe pear sweetness and lemon-lime acidity linger on the long, spicy finish. A refreshing, well-rounded, food-friendly Chardonnay. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2012 Knotty Vines Zinfandel - 88pts

Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2012 Knotty Vines Zinfandel (Sonoma County) California - USA

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $20.89 + tax
Alcohol: 15%
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2015

Tasting Notes: Hits you in the face, as many Zins do, with a powerful nose of puréed dark berry fruits, sweet peppercorn, vanilla-mocha and spicy oak aromas. Sourced from multiple Northern Sonoma vineyards, this Zin is full bodied from 15% alcohol and a touch of residual sugar, matching the intensity of the berry fruit flavours on offer. Wild berry acidity keeps the finish from feeling fat and layers of charred oak, vanilla, cranberry and pecan pie notes add depth and complexity.

Build on the charred oak flavours and pair with blackened, sweet'n'spicy BBQ meats. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

J Vineyards and Winery 2013 Pinot Gris - 89pts

J Vineyards and Winery 2013 Pinot Gris (California) USA

Availability: Specialty wine shops in BC or direct from winery here
Cost: $16 (USD), $20 (CDN)
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 60,000 cases
Date Tasted: August 23rd, 2014

Tasting Notes: J Vineyards and Winery offers three Pinot Gris skus ranging from a single-vineyard version to this 'California' blend; a Gris for the masses. At 60,000 cases, this wine's character is constructed via blending, rather than extracted from its micro-climate terroir, but the construction is superbly done with layers of floral and tropical fruit aromas woven together with cool mineral and sweet apricot notes around the edges.

The palate is rich from malolactic fermentation and ripe melon flavours, not from oak ageing, and is nicely balanced by grapefruit and lemon peel acidity, resolving into a long, crisp finish with hints of light spice. Ready to be enjoyed today with a warm lobster or scallop salad. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Paul Hobbs Winery 2011 Lindsay Estate Pinot Noir - 92pts

Paul Hobbs Winery 2011 Katherine Lindsay Estate Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley AVA) Sonoma County - California

Availability: Speciality listing in BC. Private Wine Stores
Cost: $75-85
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: February 4th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A big Pinot at a big price for folks looking for mannered intensity wrapped in an elegant veil of dark fruit and sweet forrest floor aromas. Medium purple hued Pinot with a silky textured palate bursting with ripe dark cherry and black currant fruit balanced by meaty-earthy notes, all-the-while remaining Pinot-esk, though, only barely. Finishes very long and a tad 'hot'. This impressive specimen should age well for another 5-6 years given the rich tannin structure and concentrated fruit. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

MacRostie Winery and Vineyards 2011 Pinot Noir - 90-91pts

MacRostie Winery and Vineyards 2011 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast AVA) Sonoma County - California

Availability: Speciality listing in BC. Private Wine Stores
Cost: $34-40
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 4860 cases
Date Tasted: February 4th, 2014

Tasting Notes: This blended, entry-level Pinot Noir does the Sonoma Coast proud showcasing the sub-region's delicate, low-key approach to Pinot Noir that makes the Sonoma Coast stand-out from the richer, meatier Pinots from the inland AVAs like Russian River Valley.

Light in colour and demeanour, yet complex and quietly intense with a great balance between sweet red fruit, bright acidity and spicy tea notes. Approachable now and should age beautifully over the next 2-3 years. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Seghesio Family Vineyards 2011 Sonoma Zinfandel - 89pts

Seghesio Family Vineyards 2011 Sononma Zinfandel (Sonoma County) California - USA

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB Signature stores
Cost: $26-30
Alcohol: 14.8%
Date Tasted: August 28th, 2013

Tasting Notes: This dark-ruby hued Zinfandel is a blend of multiple Sonoma County vineyards that makes a great entry-level wine into the world of premium Zins that lives beyond the realm of the ultra-jammy fruit bombs populated by the mass-produced "branded" wines. Intense, yet, layered with spicy dark plum, ripe cherry and light citrus aromas above present, yet, restrained oak-influenced notes. A similar palate follows offering great concentration, but never seeks to overwhelm, with mixed-berry and plum fruit flavours supported by moderate tannins and vibrant acidity - an all-round, well-balanced and tasty Zin. Drink 2013-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir - 88pts

Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) Sonoma County - California

Availability: Costco
Cost: $20-30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: August 27th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The intense nose of sharp raspberry puree, aromatic cedar and light cherry aromas is followed by a bright, fruit-forward, dry palate with red fruit, light earth and mineral notes. A solid expression of Pinot Noir with moderate tannins and good table manners: pair it with a wide variety of medium cheeses or fowl. Enjoy this wine over the next 2-3 years. Drink 2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

J Vineyards and Winery 2009 Chardonnay - 90pts

J Vineyards and Winery 2009 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) Sonoma County - California

Availability: Costco and direct from winery here
Cost: $25-30
Alcohol: 14.3%
Production: 8000 cases
Date Tasted: August 29th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This is the right kind of California oaked Chardonnay; big and buttery without the loss of balance. Melon, caramel apple and pear aromas greet you on the intense nose followed by similar flavours on the rich, textured palate with added white chocolate, lime rind and lychee notes. The finish is long and refined with a light mineral edge. Very food friendly for cream sauce pastas and risotto dishes or enjoy a chilled glass as you sit by the fire this winter. Drink 2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Meiomi 2008 Pinot Noir - 89pts

Meiomi 2008 Pinot Noir (Sonoma County) California - USA

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $29.99
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: December 31st, 2010

Tasting Notes: Showing good typicity, this is a classic, fruit-forward, juicy, California Pinot Noir which is nicely balanced with forest floor, espresso, pine, mushroom and savoury spice characters. A touch of residual sugar adds weight to the rich, fruity, dry palate whose soft tannins and acidity make for a very easy-drinking Pinot Noir. Hardcore Burgundy lovers may not appreciate the opulent fruit but this remains a good-quality Pinot for the masses with excellent complexity and depth. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier (with Hugh Carter) ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca