Sperling Vineyards 2015 Icewine Vidal - 91+pts

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Icewine Vidal (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $60 + taxes
Alcohol: 10.2%
Production: 190 cases (375m)
Date Tasted: April 10th, 2018

Tasting Notes: This brassy-gold hued ice wine is made from biodynamically farmed Vidal grapes harvested at -8ºC creating an unctuous, textural dessert wine loaded with ripe, orchard and Tropical fruit on the developing nose and the fully off-dry, long palate. Look for mango, peach, papaya and orange aromas and flavours.

Pair with a not-as-sweet dessert or try something different like a hard, white cheese like Swiss Gruyere. Drink now-2025.
 - 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

Sperling Vineyards 2011 Brut Reserve - 90pts

Sperling Vineyards 2011 Brut Reserve (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $50 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: March 25th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A classic blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced from the winery's biodynamically farmed home vineyard in East Kelowna, this traditional method Brut is choke full yeasty-goodness, taut citrus fruit and fleshy McIntosh apples on the warm, cuddly nose and on the bright, grippy palate. Finish is long and effervescent. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2016 Amber Pinot Gris - 86pts

Sperling Vineyards 2016 Amber Pinot Gris (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $30 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.6%
Production: 150 cases
Date Tasted: March 7th, 2018

Tasting Notes: This wine is about as pure of a representation of 'fermented grape juice' as you can get - spent yeast sludge sediment and all. Fermented together using only natural yeast were 40% whole clusters, 40% whole berries and 20% pressed juice. The amber colour comes from the brassy hue of the Pinot Gris skins and the aforementioned sludge is simply byproduct of the fermentation steps, though, it's usually fined and filtered out prior to bottling. 

This mineral and melon flavoured wine successfully captures the nascent rawness one experiences when tank sampling in a winery's cellar of a yet unfinished product - for better, for worse. Unique as it is in the market, for me, I can't seem to extradite the sense that this wine is stifled potential. Drink now.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2016 Market White - 87pts

Sperling Vineyards 2016 Market White (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $15.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 10.2%
Production: 1400 cases
Date Tasted: February 2nd, 2018

Tasting Notes: Fresh and vibrant with bright acidity and lifted aromatics, this blend of Pinot Blanc and Bacchus (plus traces of Riesling, Vidal and Pinot Gris) is packed with an ensemble of classic and exotic citrus characters on the nose and on the palate where off-dry levels of residual sugar balance the tartness nicely. Pair with spicy Thai dishes or dim sum. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Vin Gris Of Pinot Noir - 84pts

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Vin Gris Of Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $34.99
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 138cases
Date Tasted: January 25th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Produced from Pinot Noir grapes and crushed as a white wine with only a light, brassy hue passed along from brief skin contact. Grass and nettles dominate the nose  at first sniff with the scent of freshly crushed grapes playing a supporting role. The grape theme continues through to the fleshy palate with a medley of apple and table grape flavours and a touch of citrus acidity. Has the consistency and presence of apple juice. Finish is sharp and short. Drink 2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2016 Market Red - 85pts

Sperling Vineyards 2016 Market Red (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 12.2%
Production: 500 cases
Date Tasted: January 22nd, 2018

Tasting Notes: Produced from estate grown Pinot Noir and Marechal Foch vines averaging in age of an impressive 30 years plus. Very masculine and a tad green with briny, blue fruit and black cherry aromas on the nose and similar fruit showing on the lightly tannic palate beneath layers of minerals and tomato stock. Spice notes and cranberry acidity resolve on the short finish. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Pinot Noir - 87-88pts

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $23-30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 436 cases
Date Tasted: October 21st 2017

Tasting Notes: An organic,  savoury and toasty warm Pinot Noir with cedar, chickpea, prune, plum, raspberry, light spice and earth tones on the nose and palate where spicy tannins and wild berry acidity add rustic appeal. A good Pinot for game or turkey feasts. Ready to go now and should hold for another 2-3 years with some further development. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2016 Pinot Noir Rosé - 87pts

Sperling Vineyards 2016 Pinot Noir Rosé (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: October 4th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A tart, hard cheese-friendly rosé made from estate-grown Pinot Noir grapes, delivering classic, BC blush characters of cranberry, strawberry and citrus fruit with herb, spice and stonefruit notes loitering in the background. Crisp acidity keeps the finish mouth watering and refreshing. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2013 Old Vines Riesling - 89-91pts

Sperling Vineyards 2013 Old Vines Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 12.1%
Production: 210 cases
Date Tasted: July 23rd, 2017

Tasting Notes:  Opens with a complex nose offering citrus and pear fruit mingling with mineral and perfume aromas and with a burgeoning susurrus of petrol notes. The fruit'n'mineral palate follows, and is the star attraction with an excellent balance between its off-dry sweetness and tangy citrus acidity. 

At 4 years of age, this golden-straw hued Riesling, sourced from nearly 40 year old vines, is already showing signs of development with hints of more to come making this a wine a great option for the cellar. Drink 2019-2023.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Market White - 87pts

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Market White (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $19
Alcohol: 11.2%
Date Tasted: June 18th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A lean, clean blend of Bacchus, Pinot Blanc and Riesling (percentages not available) with white peach, pear, lime rind, herbaceous and vegetal aromas and flavours. Finishes dry with plenty of citrus acidity and cool mineral notes. Pair with spicy noodle dishes and enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Pinot Noir Rosé - 87pts

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Pinot Noir Rosé (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 12.2%
Date Tasted: June 14th, 2017

Tasting Notes: When chilled, as most people prefer their Rosé to be, this pinky-salmon hued, 100% Pinot Noir blush opens with a muted nose of light, strawberry-kiwi and white raspberry aromas. At first sip, the palate seems just as muted, then, slowly begins to blossom offering a lively texture, crisp acidity and more perceptible, red fruit, citrus and light mineral flavours. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Vision Chardonnay - 89pts

Sperling Vineyards 2015 Vision Chardonnay (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $26
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 190 cases
Date Tasted: May 7th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Though fermented in French oak, the influence is subtle and the core characteristics of a cool-climate Chardonnay shine through: fresh orchard fruit, crisp acidity and stoney minerality. Should be a popular wine for restaurants at this price-point for its food pairing flexibility, refreshing palate and moderate, balanced finish. Serve with seafood or chicken dishes or hard cheeses like Gruyere. 

Should peak after 2018 with another year in the bottle to integrate and meld. Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2010 The Market White - 87pts

Sperling Vineyards 2010 The Market White (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: VQA and select BCLDB stores
Cost: $16
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: January 28th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Billed accurately as a crowd-pleasing, easy-drinking, off-dry, mid-week sipper that combines Pinot Blanc with lesser-known aromatic varieties like Bacchus and makes a food-friendly companion when the night calls for fish or spicy fare. Not too-sweet and not too-crisp, though impressive concentration of apple, pear and peach fruit on the mild-mannered palate elevates this blend above the average entry-level sku. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Sperling Vineyards 2009 Old Vines Foch - 88pts

Sperling Vineyards 2009 Old Vines Foch (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery and VQA stores
Cost: $26
Alcohol: 13.2%
Production: 99 cases
Date Tasted: August 1st, 2011

Tasting Notes: Only a few vineyards of Foch vines survived the post-NAFTA replanting initiative and likely none are as old as the Sperling Vineyards plantings in East Kelowna (circa 1960's). Foch may not have the name recognition that many of the French and Italian grapes enjoy but this cool-climate loving hybrid should be explored due to its unique flavor profile that produces interesting and occasionally, very tasty wines. This example offers ample character on the nose and palate with mocha chocolate, cedar, ripe blueberry jam and campfire roasted marshmallow flavours and aromas. Pair with smoky, BBQ sausages to bring out the rustic elements of this wine. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca