SpearHead Winery 2017 Riesling - 89-90pts

SpearHead Winery 2017 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores

Cost: $20 + taxes

Alcohol: 12%

Production: 500 cases

Date Tasted: May 7th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A crisp and raw Riesling with a youthful and masculine bouquet of citrus fruit rinds, peach stones, stainless steel and light, unpasteurized honey aromas. The tart palate offers similar notes showing great consistency from the nose with plenty of tense, lemon/lime and green apple acidity and finishing dry despite the 8g/l of residual sugar. Lingering, lemon thyme and lime zest flavours last through to the next sip.

Could use another 6-12 months in bottle to settle down and integrate further. Drink late-2018-2025+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2017 Pinot Noir Rosé - 89pts

SpearHead Winery 2017 Pinot Noir Rosé (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $21 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 500 cases
Date Tasted: May 6th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A lovely, nectarine and rose water scented blush made of 100% Pinot Noir grapes using the traditional saignée method which 'bleeds' juice from the must after brief skin contact - hence the light pink hue and the kiss of tannin on the strawberry and nectarine flavoured, textured palate. Delicious! Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2016 Pinot Noir - 88pts

SpierHead Winery 2016 Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: January 7th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A bright and joyful Pinot Noir, a blend of multiple vineyard sites, blocks and clones, fruit-forward with raspberry characters dominant; from the sweet juice, to the tangy, fresh acidity and to the woody seeds. Grounded by earthy notes and smooth, lightly smoked tannins. Dry herbs and spice add depth on the finish where a touch of tangy cranberry lingers. Drink 2018-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2016 Pinot Noir Cuvée - 90pts

SpierHead Winery 2016 Pinot Noir Cuvée (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $38
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: December 13th, 2017

Tasting Notes: The Cuvée is a blend of Dijon and Pommard clones (35% Dijon 115, 25% Dijon 667, 25% Dijon 828 and 15% Pommard) from the winery's East Kelowna estate vineyard and successfully expresses the uniqueness of the terroir along with classic BC Pinot characters. Look for typical aromas and flavours of creamy raspberry and tangy cherry fruit, sweet earth and vanilla, finishing long with a touch of spice and lingering Black Forest cake notes.

This year's vintage is decidedly un-fined and unfiltered with a slight haziness in the medium ruby hue. Ready to go now and could evolve further in the cellar over the next 2-3 years. Drink 2018-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2016 Riesling - 90pts

SpierHead Winery 2016 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores

Cost: $21 (including taxes)

Alcohol: 12.4%

Production: 222 cases

Date Tasted: July 20th, 2017

Tasting Notes: One of the most consistently yummy and refreshing Riesling in the Okanagan, SpierHead's 2016 edition is refined and concise with a vibrant nose of citrus and orchard fruits, steely, mineral aromas and light, signature notes of raw honey and lime peel.

A crisp palate follows with a touch of residual sugar up-front and layers of apple, melon, mineral and citrus flavours mid-palate and through to the long, mouth-watering, long finish where hints of spice and lime peel linger. Drink now-2021+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2016 Pinot Gris - 89pts

SpierHead Winery 2016 Pinot Gris (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $19
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 1117 cases
Date Tasted: June 15th, 2017

Tasting Notes: This well-made, mouth-watering Pinot Gris offers both clean, orchard fruit and rich, leesy-brioche aromas and flavours, combining nicely to deliver good complexity and texture on the intense nose and the tart, touch-of-RS* palate. 

Finish is long and balanced with lingering citrus peel and light spice notes. A very consistent wine, vintage-to-vintage. To be enjoyed in its youth. Drink now-2019.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

*RS = Residual Sugar

SpierHead Winery 2015 Pinot Noir Cuvée - 91pts

SpierHead Winery 2015 Pinot Noir Cuvée (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $38
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 327 cases
Date Tasted: February 8th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A delightful Pinot Noir, one of the Province's best, produced from the select few barrels SpierHead's winemaking team deem 'the best' each vintage. Rich and engaging on the vanilla-kissed, cherry-raspberry-earth scented nose and on the similarly flavoured, medium-plus bodied palate. Well-structured with smooth, slightly-earthy tannins and fine, berry acidity and finishes long with a touch of spice and lingering Black Forest cake notes, a signature of the label. Ready to go now, though, will hold for several years. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2015 GFV Saddle Block Pinot Noir - 89pts

SpierHead Winery 2015 GFV Saddle Block Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 13.4%
Date Tasted: February 6th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A lovely, feminine Pinot with good length and texture. Expressive, on the memorable nose, with classic, red fruit and cedar aromas accompanied by a hint of vanilla-cola and a blanket of soft spice notes. The dry, medium-bodied palate offers a nice balance of red fruit and savoury flavours that mingle effortlessly through to the long, spice-enhanced finish. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2015 Pinot Noir - 89pts

SpierHead Winery 2015 Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 13.3%
Date Tasted: January 31st, 2017

Tasting Notes: A generous Pinot Noir, on the fruity and fresh nose and the medium-bodied, ripe'n'bright, berry-infused palate. Very consistent, year-to-year, with notes of raspberries, cherry nibs, vanilla-spice, light oak and a hint of earthy stoneware. The moderately intense finish begins with rounded, chocolate-covered cherries characters, resolving into raspberry seed and cola bean flavours and a touch of lingering spice. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2015 Riesling - 90pts

SpierHead Winery 2015 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores

Cost: $20 (including taxes)

Alcohol: 12.4%

Production: 228 cases

Date Tasted: August 18th, 2016

Tasting Notes: East Kelowna's SpierHead Winery produces a trio of Pinot Noir wines yearly and clearly sees the Burgundian grape as its flagship product, however, their unheralded, Riesling is consistently excellent and worthy of greater attention. Crisp, mineral-y and refined with a vibrant, steely nose of stony-apples, pear skins, key lime, light, unpasteurised honey and apricots. Followed by a mouth-watering palate of melon, mineral and citrus flavours with a touch of spice lingering on the long finish.

A serious, reflective Riesling to be enjoyed with hard cheeses whilst contemplating the difference between fate and self-fulfilling prophecy, because....

"Everything happens for a Riesling"

                                                     - Facebook Meme

Drink now-2019+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2015 Pinot Gris - 89pts

SpierHead Winery 2015 Pinot Gris (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $19
Alcohol: 13.7%
Production: 1110 cases
Date Tasted: July 20th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Whenever you take all oak contact (fermentation or élevage) out of the equation, as SpierHead has chosen to do with this excellent Pinot Gris, the winemaker must look for other ways to replace the lost benefits of oak ageing: texture and complimentary flavours. Sourced from the Golden Retreat Vineyard in Summerland, this Pinot Gris shows the affect of extended lees contact contributing brioche notes to the apple, citrus and mineral aromas on the nose and roundness to the otherwise, tart and crisp, apple'n'spice infused palate. To be enjoyed in its youth. Drink now-2016.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2015 Chardonnay - 89pts

SpierHead Winery 2015 Chardonnay (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $22 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.3%
Production: 278 cases
Date Tasted: May 10th, 2016
@spierheadwinery

Tasting Notes: A partially oaked (20%) Chardonnay with a focus on clean, crisp fruit and cool mineral characters, using grapes sourced from the winery's East Kelowna vineyard. A masculine, yet, generous wine with loads of apricot, nectarine and citrus aromas and flavours all wrapped in the firm, supportive embrace of river stone and steel notes. Spice and lime rind flavours linger on the finish. Drink 2016-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2014 GFV Saddle Block Pinot Noir - 89pts

SpierHead Winery 2014 GFV Saddle Block Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $27
Alcohol: 13.3%
Date Tasted: February 11th, 2016

Tasting Notes: The Momma Bear of the Pinot Noir trilogy on offer from East Kelowna's SpierHead Winery, all from the Pinot-friendly 2014 vintage. Right in the middle on the richness scale between the flagship Cuvée and the $23 blended Pinot and sourced from the winery's original block of Pinot Noir plantings in their home vineyard. The "GFV" (for Gentleman Farmer Vineyard) is feminine and well-balanced, hosting a range of red fruits on the inviting nose and the concentrated, spicy palate. The finish is long with lingering wild berry acidity. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2014 Pinot Noir Cuvée - 91pts

SpierHead Winery 2014 Pinot Noir Cuvée (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $32
Alcohol: 13.4%
Date Tasted: February 10th, 2016

Tasting Notes: Lives up to its billing as the winery's flagship Pinot Noir (they make 2 others), this micro cuvée is blended from select barrels and produces a beautiful wine, rich in complexity and texture. The loving embrace of French oak is felt on the vanilla-kissed, cherry-raspberry nose and on the vibrant, medium-plus bodied, red fruit and tea leaf palate. Structure is solid with silky-smooth tannins and huckleberry acidity. The finish is long and spicy with lingering dark cherry and Black Forest cake flavours.

A BC Pinot for fans of Californian Pinots from the Central Coast. Ready to go now, though, will hold for several years. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2014 Pinot Noir - 88pts

SpierHead Winery 2014 Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $23
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: February 2nd, 2016

Tasting Notes: A bright and fresh Pinot Noir with juicy-tangy red fruit prominent on the engaging nose and the mouth-watering, (mostly) dry palate. Cherry nibs, vanilla, mild oak and mineral notes add complexity throughout. Light spice and chocolate-covered cherry flavours linger on the moderate-plus finish. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2014 Riesling - 90pts

SpierHead Winery 2014 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores

Cost: $19 (including taxes)

Alcohol: 12%

Production: 200 cases

Date Tasted: June 14th, 2015

Tasting Notes: This Riesling will wake-up your senses with loads of lemon-lime and mineral characters on the fresh and vibrant nose and the bright and (slightly) effervescent palate. Look for layers of honey dew, herbs and pear. Clean, crisp, terroir-driven Riesling. Thank you SpierHead! Drink 2015-2018+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2014 Pinot Gris - 89pts

SpierHead Winery 2014 Pinot Gris (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $19
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 710 cases
Date Tasted: June 8th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A stainless steel aged Pinot Gris, sourced from the Golden Retreat Vineyard in Summerland, offering a contrast of tart, mouth-watering, green-apple and tropical fruit acidity and an off-dry-ish level of residual sugar to achieve its crisp balance and desired texture - pleasantly rich mid palate. The nose is light and fresh with loads of citrus, apple and mineral notes with hints of spice that also linger on the moderate finish. To be enjoyed in its youth. Drink now-2016.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2014 Pinot Noir Rosé - 88pts

SpierHead Winery 2014 Pinot Noir Rosé (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $18 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.9%
Production: 700 cases
Date Tasted: May 30th, 2015

Tasting Notes: A cherry Kool-Aide hued rosé with strawberry, cherry skin, mandarin orange and raw honey aromas. Produced as a dry alternative to the many off-dry blush wines on the market in BC and one to pair with spicy, Spanish tapas which will highlight the cooling effect of the crisp, citrus acidity and the bright, red fruit and mineral flavours on offer. Drink now-2016.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2013 Pinot Noir - 88pts

SpierHead Winery 2013 Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24
Alcohol: 12.4%
Production: 600 cases
Date Tasted: December 27th, 2014

Tasting Notes: SpierHead has come a long way with their handling of Pinot Noir since their first vintage of estate grown fruit in 2010. Just three years later and the East Kelowna winery is making a name for itself with multiple Pinot Noir labels in their portfolio: some single vineyard, some blends. This release is their largest production at 600 cases and is a blend of their different East Kelowna vineyards, revealing a minimalist, fruit-forward approach with a pleasant balance of red fruit and earthy notes on the sweetly scented nose and the smooth, yet, mouth-watering palate. Dry herbs and spice add depth throughout. A hint of bitterness and sagebrush lingers on the moderate finish. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

SpierHead Winery 2013 Pinot Noir Cuvée - 89pts

SpierHead Winery 2013 Pinot Noir Cuvée (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $33
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 100 cases
Date Tasted: December 23rd, 2014

Tasting Notes: A handsomely packaged, small lot Pinot Noir, made from a blend of the favoured barrels pulled from the winery's vineyards and aged in 100% French oak. On the engaging nose you'll find a lovely, feminine blend of red and dark berries, tea leaf, French vanilla cream, roses and a touch of wildness from boysenberry and huckleberry fruit that foreshadows the mouth-watering experience ahead.

The entry on the medium-bodied palate is lush, continuing the feminine, fruity'n'sensual theme from the nose until a wave of bright wild berry acidity temporarily overwhelms your mouth before a wave of spice, earth, leather, plum and raspberry flavours linger on the long finish. Intriguing. Drink 2015-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca