Stoneboat Vineyards 2011 Faux Pas Rosé - 87pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2011 Faux Pas Rosé (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $18.90
Alcohol: 12.4%
Date Tasted: June 26th, 2012

Tasting Notes: To enhance the colour and concentration of the winery's Pinot Noir and Pinotage they use a standard practice of "bleeding" juice from the crush that sees only minimal contact with the red grape skins and the result is a lovely rosé with a light cranberry hue. A 50/50 Pinot Noir and Pinotage blend, this rosé boasts lively acid and fresh red fruit flavours with a tangy, refreshing texture and some lingering tannins on the finish. Drink 2012-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Stoneboat Vineyards 2010 Chorus - 89pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2010 Chorus (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: VQA stores and select BCLDB stores
Cost: $17.90
Alcohol: 12.1%
Production: 1352 cases
Date Tasted: May 1st, 2012

Tasting Notes: For the 2010 vintage, Stoneboat's always popular white blend 'Chorus' comprises 24% Pinot Blanc, 23% Schonburger, 18% Muller Thurgau, 18% Kerner, 13% Pinot Gris and 4% Viognier. The tangy-sweetness of the Schonburger and the lush fruit of the Pinot Blanc lead the way with the remaining varieties adding complexity to the expressive nose and crisp, nearly-dry palate. Consumption of this beauty need not be restricted to sunny patios, but it is recommended. Pairs well with a fennel and Mandarin orange spinach salad. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Stoneboat Vineyards 2009 Pinotage - 88+pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2009 Pinotage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 1013 cases
Date Tasted: July 18th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Not that it wouldn't benefit from another 6-12 months of bottle aging prior to opening, but compared to the 2007 and 2008 releases, the 2009 Pinotage from Stoneboat Vineyards, a yearly favourite of IconWines.ca, is the most approachable example of this fine wine released in recent years. A yearly favourite due to its consistency and reliability, to not so much as resist vintage variation, but rather to adapt to it, producing a tasty, unique wine year-in-year-out.

On the nose, blueberry, prune and black pepper aromas mingle pleasantly with the likes of moody toasted oak, barnyard and saltine notes. The dry palate entertains with a vein of sweet dark fruit followed swiftly by savoury oak and spice flavours. The finish is tart, concentrated and balanced with lingering cracked pepper and a chalky texture. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Stoneboat Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir - 90+pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 13.3%
Production: 1054 cases
Date Tasted: July 7th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Recently awarded a 2011 Lieutenant Governor's Award of Excellence, this light garnet hued Pinot Noir from Oliver's Stoneboat Vineyards offers a gorgeous, seductive nose of sweet cherry-cola candy, vanilla, cedar, light earth and subtle oak spice aromas.

The smooth, round palate follows suit with a similar flavour profile and more pronounced savoury spice. Medium body and tannins compliment the bright texture creating a mouth feel that's both playful and sensual.

Ideally, one should wait until early 2012 to enjoy this excellent Pinot. Be sure to decant for 1-2 hours prior to drinking should you choose not to wait. Drink 2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

On a side note, Stoneboat Vineyards has exchanged their oblong shaped bottles for more standard, easily stackable bottles. Good news for collectors who found the previous bottles awkward to arrange in their cellars. Bad news for fans of the old, unique bottles that were instantly recognizable.

Stoneboat Vineyards 2010 Pinot Gris - 87pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2010 Pinot Gris (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17.90
Alcohol: 12.9%
Date Tasted: June 7th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Black Sage Bench boutique winery Stoneboat Winery doesn't have a lot of SKUs - they focus on a few wines and make them consistently good each year. The Pinot Gris is no exception and its 2010 incarnation is a solid representation of the varietal combining expressive orchard fruit with characters of cucumber, snow peas and lees. Wisely, winemaker Jay Martinuik has kept the alcohol level down (12.9%) leaving a touch of residual sugar to balance the abundant acid typical of the 2010 vintage. The wine starts powerfully but ends a bit abrupt with a short, watery finish. Best paired with foods like roasted chicken and soft cheeses where the initial intensity of the wine will be highlighted. Drink 2011-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Stoneboat Vineyards 2008 Duet - 87pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2008 Duet (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: November 20th, 2010

Tasting Notes: A successful 60/40 blend of the Pinot Noir and Pinotage grapes that doesn't make it into the winery's signature varietal releases offering cherry-cola, dark fruit, vanilla and earthy characters on the nose and dry palate. Nice balance of fruit to smooth tannins with a smoky texture and a moderate finish. Don't lay down for further development but this quality juice will hold for a while if you want to wait for the right food pairing - Game is recommended here. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Stoneboat Vineyards 2008 Pinotage - 89-90pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2008 Pinotage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. VQA stores in BC.
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 851 cases
Date Tasted: June 27th, 2010

Tasting Notes: The Stoneboat Pinotage is a wine to seek-out each year and enjoy with friends - it's an unique wine that always delivers. However, the 2008 vintage would actually be best served by seeking-out and holding. We recommend a year of bottle aging (up to three years) to allow the wine to settle before popping the cork on this beauty. But not to worry, you will be rewarded by the wait.
 
The raw intensity of the tannins, acids, dark fruit and earthiness on the palate will round and integrate with more time and should create a wonderfully complex and intriguing wine. Full and weighty with excellent balance and finesse. Drink 2011-2016.
 - Liam Carrier

Stoneboat Vineyards 2007 Pinotage - 90+pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2007 Pinotage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Last year's vintage.
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 715 cases
Date Tasted: July 19th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Stoneboat Vineyards sets the bar for Pinotage in BC, not that it's widely planted, but they are the best we've tasted. Year-in, year-out their Pinotage delivers the goods: concentrated flavours and intense aromas. Add food-friendliness and uniqueness and you have a great recipe for a fun bottle of wine.

Intense prune and red berry aromas on the nose are followed by bright dark fruit flavours and earthy notes on the palate. A smooth, full weight in the mouth with round tannins. The wine really does taste like an earthy Pinot Noir crossed with a juicy Cinsaut: its parentage personified. The 2007 is drinking beautifully now, rewarding those who have kept it in their cellar an extra year. Drink 2010-2015.
 - Liam Carrier

Stoneboat Vineyards 2009 Pinot Blanc - 88pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2009 Pinot Blanc (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
Cost: $17.90
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 294 cases
Date Tasted: June 26th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Produced from 27 year old vines, the Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Blanc ranks amoung the best in the Province. The residual sugar and concentrated fruit flavours on the palate balance superbly with the natural acidity from the hot 2009 growing season. Aromas of honey, orchard fruit and aromatic flowers on the nose which carry through as intense flavours on the rich palate with added ripe apples and a touch of stonefruit. Lovely! Drink now through 2012.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Stoneboat Vineyards 2009 Chorus - 89pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2009 Chorus (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery and VQA stores.
Cost: $17.90
Alcohol: 13.3%
Production: 598 cases
Date Tasted: June 26th, 2010

Tasting Notes: A refreshing white blend of Pinot Gris (22%), Pinot Blanc (25%), Viognier (12%), Müller Thurgau (9%), Kerner (16%) and Schönburger (16%), all stainless-steel fermented to near dryness leaving a touch of residual sugar. The sugar and concentrated flavours of tropical fruit, melons, and peaches is nicely balanced by the natural acidity and presence of good mineral notes.

This is an excellent, aromatic and juicy summer sipper. This wine is a must for your next sunny patio-party. Pairs beautifully with salad (perhaps a Fennel slaw with grilled prawns and mangoes). Drink young, 2010-2012.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Stoneboat Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir - 90 pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery 

Cost: $23.90

Alcohol: 14.2%

Tasting Notes: Wow.  A fantastic BC Pinot Noir.  The more I drink the wine of Stoneboat the more I am impressed.  With this offering Stoneboat has broken my top five BC wineries of the past year.  Value, quality, great wine making, and taste are the what make this winery a winner.

The appearance was ruby with a garnet rim.  The nose had light cedar and some woodiness, vegetal and cherry.  The palate had red berries, with spice and cedar.  There are great tannins and acid and this wine is smooth.  The finish was long and silky.  Overall this pinot is balanced, complex, with great body and a fantastic finish.  A great wine. HC

Stoneboat Vineyards 2008 Chorus - 89pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2008 Chorus (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Winery only

Cost: $18.00

Tasting Notes: What a steal. This is a great value wine. If you can get a hold of it, buy as much as you can. The more I drink Stoneboat wines the more I am impressed.
The appearance was straw and clear. The nose was mineral with hints of pear, lemon, melon, and honey. The palate also had the lemon, pear, and mineral. This wine had great acid and would be a great summer time patio drinker. The finish was long, and overall this wine was balanced and fresh. HC