Unconventional Wisdom 2010 Told You So - 87pts

Unconventional Wisdom 2010 Told You So (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Directly from the winery here
Cost: $22.50
Alcohol: 13.9%
Production: 110 cases
Date Tasted: November 21st, 2011

Tasting Notes: Popular Naramata Bench fruit winery, Elephant Island, is getting in on the vitis vinifera act with two new table wines; one red and one white. The "Told You So" white is their easy-going, floral-nosed Viognier with 10% Sauvignon Blanc added for some extra green apple acidic bite. With time to open up, the nose blossoms with notes of mandarin orange and honey - a nice preface for the ever-so-slightly sweetened and fruity palate to follow.

Although medium-plus bodied with some lushness in the form of tropical fruit flavours, the overall effect is one of an unimposing, mild-mannered wine offering decent complexity but lacking intensity. The concentration will come as the youthful vines mature - good promise on display with this inaugural release. Enjoy this wine in its youth paired with some spicy Asian food. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Unconventional Wisdom 2009 Naysayer - 87pts

Unconventional Wisdom 2009 Naysayer (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Directly from the winery here
Cost: $24.50
Alcohol: 14.9%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: November 17th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Produced from what I expect are fairly youthful vines, the focus of this Cabernet Franc from Elephant Island's second label "Unconventional Wisdom" is rightfully on creating an easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing red wine that offers decent typicity for the variety and doesn't bother aspiring to rabbit-hole-like complexity.

This is a fun wine with fun packaging that is well worth a try for its juicy, ripe red fruit characters on the pleasing nose and vibrant palate. A touch "hot" in its balance, this Cabernet Franc is enhanced with 8% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon to help round out the fruity palate and add a little structure - but not too much. It has just enough tannins and extraction for lovers of bold reds and for red meat pairings, without the hassle of waiting for your wine to mellow in the cellar. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca