Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir - 87pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 14.7%
Date Tasted: July 24th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This is the second vintage of the winery's new Pinot Noir program which sees the firm hold back the varietal tier wine 2 years prior to release and a full 3 years for their reserve tier Oldfield Series. The patient approach has certainly elevated the quality and value of the wines which have become some of the best Pinots in the southern part of the valley.

The 2009 edition varies a little from the 2008 release with more bitter notes on the dry palate, making it more of a food companion than a stand-alone sipper, but otherwise follows a similar script: pleasant, baked raspberry and savoury, spicy earth characters with restrained oak influence. Drink 2012-2014+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2011 Chardonnay - 88pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2011 Chardonnay (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99
Alcohol: 12.9%
Date Tasted: July 23rd, 2012

Tasting Notes: Whatever the vintage conditions you can expect the Tinhorn Creek Chardonnay to be well balanced and tasty. 2011 brought with it tricky growing conditions and a long, cool harvest which saw many producers picking fruit into November. Despite the complications Tinhorn scores again with a delightful, easy drinking Chardonnay that grows on you 'till the last glass.

A somewhat muted nose of stonefruit, golden delicious apples, vanilla and sweet orchard fruit aromas precedes a more vibrant palate of similar flavours with more mineral and oak influence. A touch of papaya and light spice adds depth but the main story is the minimal, yet unmistakable use of French Oak (only 16% new during fermentation). In a lean year like 2011, that 16% goes a long way and helps fill out the palate nicely. Enjoy this Chardonnay in its youth. Drink 2012-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2011 Oldfield Series 2Bench Rosé - 89pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2011 Oldfield Series 2Bench Rosé (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Released May 1st. Direct from winery here
Cost: $23
Alcohol: 12.9%
Date Tasted: April 12th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The 2011 version of this fantastic light salmon coloured rosé from Tinhorn Creek builds on the fruit and aromatic success of the 2010 vintage with extra attention paid to mineral aromas and flavours adding both depth and intrigue. There is a sense of place with this rosé and that is welcomed and rewarding.

The balance is spot on with refreshing cranberry characters mingling with sweet strawberry fruit beneath a weave of stainless steel and river stone flavours. Soft tannins linger on the tangy, long finish.

Pairs well with nearly anything but a magical match is found with the savoury Spanish tapas and charcuterie platers available at Tinhorn Creek's onsite restaurant Miradoro. If Tinhorn is on your Spring of Summer wine tour agenda make sure to leave time for a visit to Miradoro and soak in the gorgeous view. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2008 Oldfield Series 2Bench Red - 89pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2008 Oldfield Series 2Bench Red (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $29.99
Alcohol: 15%
Date Tasted: September 27th, 2011

Tasting Notes: May not be the Master of Balance that was the 2007 edition, but the 2008 still delivers the Meritage characters you know and love: concentrated dark fruit and smoky oak notes with enough tannins to make your mouth stand-up and take notice but not feel the need to salute. A Chaz Bono-like transition from feminine to masculine best describes the vintage variation from 2007 to 2008 (minus the social commentary, of course). Cool minerality permeates the divine, aromatic nose and bone-dry palate.

A blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc delivering a potpourri of savoury and fruit elements, wrapped-up in a mouth-watering, sweet spice and sandpaper sprinkled texture. Sealed with a Stelvin cap to lock-in the fruit and freshness, therefore, may not develop much despite the appropriate levels of tannin and acid. Drink 2011-2015.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Cabernet Franc - 89pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 14.8%
Date Tasted: September 17th, 2011

Tasting Notes: "Early adopters" (of anything) live the dichotomy of success and struggle. Tinhorn Creek was certainly one of the first Okanagan wineries to embrace Cabernet Franc as anything beyond simply a blending partner for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It's been a struggle at times to market over the years, I'm sure, as the name recognition and unique characters of the grape are not as widely known to the average consumer. I hope that changes with the release of this over-achieving 2009 version.

Perhaps it was the hotter than average vintage, or the fact the vines are now over 15+ years old, or the tried and tested winemaking techniques of Sandra Oldfield (or all of the above?). Whatever the case, Tinhorn have a real winner on their hands with this one. And it's only $20!

Lovers of Franc Funk need not disparage. Yes, with the 2009 vintage much of that in-your-face-stinky-cheese-funk is gone, but it is replaced by a heart-warming, decently-complex and sultry plum-floral-cedar-cocoa-cigar nose that, actually, offers better typicity for the varietal. The fruit and tannins are ripe, the acidity resets your palate and the finish is moderate plus - the makings of a very good wine that will make every critic's "best value" list at the end of the year. Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Merlot - 87+pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Merlot (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 14.8%
Date Tasted: September 17th, 2010

Tasting Notes: The bread and butter of the Golden Mile Bench producer is well-made, crowd-pleasing, food-friendly white and red varietal wines that show good typicity for the grape. The 2009 Merlot fits this model to a tee with an extra dose of vintage-specificity. The hot, intense summer of 2009 cooked the red grapes nicely upping the concentration on the nose, palate and in the colour. This inky-ruby hued wine has plenty of delicious, ripe dark fruit matched with thick, savoury dark chocolate, spice and oak characters. A near perfect pairing for Lindt's Dark Chocolate with Chili bar.

Acidity and tannin levels seem higher than previous vintages adding a bit of extra umph to the finished wine and some extra longevity for those of you buying by the case.  Enjoy this wine in its youth or with moderate aging. Drink now-2014.
 -  Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Oldfield Series Kerner Icewine - 86-88pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Oldfield Series Kerner Icewine (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here. Select VQA stores
Cost: $29.99 (375ml)
Alcohol: 12.6%
Production: 302 cases
Date Tasted: September 30th, 2010

Tasting Notes: When conditions cooperate Tinhorn Creek produces icewine from their block of Kerner grapes (a winter-hearty cross of Riesling and Trollinger). In 2009 conditions were met and the result from the Golden Mile winery is a tasty treat of a dessert wine but one that lacks the overall intensity of the top icewines produced in BC.

The nose offers aromas of apricot, lemon rind, maple, slate mineral and smoky notes. The fully-sweet palate follows with a citrus medley of tangerine, orange rind and lemon flavours. This Oldfield Series release is appropriately priced as an entry-level icewine - one that can be enjoyed on its own or served over vanilla ice cream. Drink 2010-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Tinhorn Creek 2007 Cabernet Franc - 86pts

Tinhorn Creek 2007 Cabernet Franc (Southern Okanagan) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: VQA stores and BC liquor stores

Cost: $15.99 (VQA stores) $17.99 (BC liquor stores)

Alcohol: 14.3%

Date Tasted: September 12th, 2009

Tasting Notes: Intense developing aromas of cassis, pungent cheese, plums, caramilk and cigar box notes on the nose. On the palate this deep garnet coloured wine offers flavours of cherries, nutmeg, pepper and cloves. A full-bodied wine with medium acid and tannins and a well-balanced long finish.

I enjoyed this wine with friends at a late summer BBQ; the perfect setting. However, due to the profile of warm flavours, I would bet that this wine will also make a tasty mid-winter treat. - LC