Spier 2020 Signature Chenin Blanc - 87pts

Spier 2020 Signature Chenin Blanc (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.99-14.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 22nd, 2021

Tasting Notes: A crisp, clean and straight-forward Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape with a touch of RS on the refreshing, citrus and exotic fruit flavoured palate and with a generous nose of honeydew melon, Golden Delicious apple, peach pit and macadamia nut aromas. Ready to go now. Drink now-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca 

KWV Winery 2017 Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - 87pts

KWV Winery 2017 Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $15.99-18.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: December 10th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Dusty, smoky and very well priced, this is a savoury Cabernet Sauvignon with plenty of herbs and spices, but not completely void of fruit thanks to a vein of toasted black fruit running through the feminine nose and dry palate. Pair with smoky'n'sweet dried meats or a charcuterie plate. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Boschendal Wines 2017 '1685' Chardonnay - 89+pts

Boschendal Wines 2017 '1685' Chardonnay (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $18.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 25th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A buttery and citrus delight with a touch of mineral notes throughout, this intense Chardonnay is a delight, especially at this price-point. 70% is fermented and aged in oak with the balance vinified in neutral, stainless steel. Look for lemon drop, pear, grapefruit, honeydew, creamy butter and leesy characters making it a perfect wine for all things lobster. Ready to go now or hold for further development over the next 2-3 years. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Fairview 2016 Goats Do Roam - 86pts

Fairview 2016 Goats Do Roam (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $15.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: June 16th, 2018

Tasting Notes: This blend of 66% Shiraz, 20% Mouvedre, 8% Grenache, 5% Carignan and 1% Petite Sirah opens with a beautiful nose of ripe berries, dark cherries, incense, iron, Christmas spice, rhubarb and nut aromas. This is followed by a smooth-tannin, slightly 'hot' palate with a hint of sweetness beneath the concentrated red fruit, smokey oak and spice flavours. Spice and a touch of bitter, charred oak notes linger on the moderate finish. Ready to go now. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

The Grape Grinder 2016 Blue Moose - 85pts

The Grape Grinder 2016 Blue Moose (W.O Swartland) South Africa

Availability: Private wine stores
Cost: $13.99 +taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: June 8th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz from Swartland vineyards, the Blue Moose combines ripe berry fruit aromas and flavours with touches of rustic earthy notes, spice and oak. A solid combination, though, finished with too much residual sugar and short on length. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

KWV Winery 2016 Big Bill Cabernet Sauvignon - 85pts

KWV Winery 2016 Big Bill Cabernet Sauvignon (Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 31st, 2018

Tasting Notes: Essentially, the 'Big Bill' Cabernet Sauvignon is a less-intense version of its cousin, KWV's over-achieving Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, also from the Western Cape and within reach of the same price range. Now, nothing is really out-of-place with the Bill; there's concentrated dark berry fruit and a touch of smoke on the nose and the palate is full(ish) and fairly well balanced, but there's no length and most of the body comes from the 4g/l of residual sugar.

As the Cathedral routinely goes on-sale for the matching price of $13.99, keep an eye out and stock-up. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Boekenhoutskloof 2017 The Wolftrap - 86pts

Boekenhoutskloof 2017 The Wolftrap (W.O Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $13.49 +taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: May 24, 2018

Tasting Notes: Predominantly savoury and spicy on the nose, though, not without a perceptible layer of ripe blackberry nicely integrated amongst the peppercorn, new leather and cured meat aromas. The full bodied and RS-kissed palate is packed with sweet and savoury spice with red and dark fruit flavours complimenting the dusty tannins. Finish is short but satisfying. Pair with sweet'n'spicy BBQ ribs (heavy on the sauce). Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

KWV Winery 2015 Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - 88pts

KWV Winery 2015 Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.99-16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 18th, 2018

Tasting Notes: If you don't like a bit of smoke in your wine then you'll want to steer clear of this Cabernet Sauvignon from KWV whose plummy-chocolate-herbal nose is practically smoldering. The combination carries through to the full-bodied, slightly off-dry palate (to this reviewer's delight). Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Flat Roof Manor 2017 Pinot Grigio - 85pts

Flat Roof Manor 2017 Pinot Grigio (W.O Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.29 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: May 17th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A pleasant, well-priced Pinot Grigio from South Africa's West Cape region with a clean, crisp profile of white peach, lemon/lime and green apple aromas and flavours. No oak in sight with a touch of RS upfront, then finishing dry with some lemon zest lingering briefly. Pair with vinaigrette-dressed salads. 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

Boschendal Wines 2016 '1685' Chardonnay - 86pts

Boschendal Wines 2016 '1685' Chardonnay (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $18.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 15th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A lightly oaked and tangy Chardonnay with a nice combination of orchard, citrus and exotic fruit complimented by a layer of leesy notes and a touch of minerals: good complexity for this price-point. The short finish skews towards bitterness on the balance spectrum, but this is masked when paired with hard white cheeses which elevate the wine and moderate its punchy qualities. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

KWV Winery 2017 The Vinecrafter Chardonnay - 85pts

KWV Winery 2017 The Vinecrafter Chardonnay (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $8.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 9th, 2018

Tasting Notes: To make this ultra low-budget Chardonnay, KWV made one excellent decision: no trace of oak. Far too many budget Chardonnay are produced with cheap oak alternatives like chips, staves or even chemically simulated extract to either mask the poor quality of the grapes with a blanket of oak or to try and fool us into thinking that the winery actually spent the money to age the wine in barrel despite this being financial impossible at this price-point. This offering is honest and straight forward.

Ok, yes, the finish is short and the depth rather thin, but the balance between the orchard fruit flavours and acidity works nicely and is unsullied by the taste of cheap oak, making this >$10 Chard very drinkable. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

The Grape Grinder 2015 Pinotage - 86pts

The Grape Grinder 2015 Pinotage (W.O Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $13.49 +taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 13th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Though prominent on the label, and in previous vintages, I found the coffee-mocha theme more subtle in the 2015 release of the Grinder Pinotage with a higher emphasis on intense, blackberry and cherry puree aromas and flavours. Supporting, savoury notes and yumtastic, dark chocolate and spice characters help elevate the full-bodied palate beyond a one-dimensional, jam-fest. Though, folks who don't like their reds a little off-dry will want to steer clear. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Flagstone 2015 Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon - 85pts

Flagstone 2015 Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: April 25th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A budget, South African Cabernet Sauvignon with rustic, smoky edges on the dark cherry and cola scented nose and on the otherwise, bright and juicy palate. Finishes a bit short and residual sugar levels may make protein pairing a challenge, but a solid, easy-drinking wine, worth a flyer. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca 

Spier 2016 Signature Chenin Blanc - 87pts

Spier 2016 Signature Chenin Blanc (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.49-13.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: April 21st, 2017

Tasting Notes: A generous nose of honeydew melon, Golden Delicious apple, stone and citrus fruit and macadamia nut aromas greet you on the nose of this delicious and refreshing Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape. Though it finishes a tad quickly, the lightly-spiced palate has good balance between its tart, citrus characters and its full-ish, creamy-esque texture. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca 

The Grape Grinder 2013 Pinotage - 85pts

The Grape Grinder 2013 Pinotage (W.O Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $13.49 +taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 27th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A sweet'n'savoury, full-bodied Pinotage from the Western Cape with both coffee-themed branding and flavour profile on its mocha-berry-spice nose and the off-dry, dark chocolate-coffee grind-wild berry palate. Overall balance is a bit sharp, though, nice spice notes linger on the finish. A decent BBQ wine for the price. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Stellenzicht Wines 2013 Red ESCape - 87pts

Stellenzicht Wines 2013 Red ESCape (W.O Stellenbosch) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $12.99 +taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 26th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Composed of Syrah and Pinotage fruit sourced from the Stellenbosch region of South Africa, the playful Red ESCape opens with a surprising, yet effective blend of smoky-earthy-meaty notes and sweet, candied red fruit aromas on the intriguing nose. The off-dry palate follows with a similar contrast of juxtaposed characters with smoky, dusty tannins enveloping sweetened, dark cherry and spicy, blueberry fruit flavours. The finish is short, but thankfully, crisp, thanks to plenty of wild berry acidity balancing the residual sugar. 

Pair with sweet'n'spicy BBQ ribs or other spiced, grilling meats. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Boekenhoutskloof 2014 The Wolftrap - 85pts

Boekenhoutskloof 2014 The Wolftrap (W.O Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $13.49 +taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: May 3rd, 2016

Tasting Notes: A spicy, meaty blend of 82% Syrah, 16% Mourvedre and 2% Viognier with deep, dark fruit, peppercorn, vanilla, forest and cured meat aromas. Palate is sharp and a little off-balance between its acid, fruit and tannin elements, though, a nice blend of spices linger on the finish. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Nederburg Wines 2015 Winemaster's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc - 86pts

Nederburg Wines 2015 Winemaster's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (W.O Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: Privare stores like Everything Wine
Cost: $12.99 +taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: April 22nd, 2016

Tasting Notes: Pungent and refreshing on the nose with fresh oyster minerality and sodium. Tangy gooseberry, crisp citrus and green apple flavours blend nicely on the sharp, mouth-watering palate. A touch of citrus peel and spice lingers on the moderate finish. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

Two Oceans Wines 2015 Sauvignon Blanc - 84pts

Two Oceans Wines 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $9.79 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: April 18th, 2016

Tasting Notes: All 'props' to Two Oceans to not succumbing to trends and producing a sugary, "approachable" Sauvignon Blanc for the seemingly endless legions of sweet wine drinkers who are, undoubtedly, eagerly anticipating the creation of Apothic Tart. Two Oceans have kept their under-$10 Blanc raw and biting with a refreshing profile of gooseberry, quince, kiwi, lime peel, grass and papaya.

Now, some better concentration and less kerosene notes would go a long way to elevating its lot in life, but for a tenner, you could do much worse. Drink now.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca