IconScores.ca: Upper Bench Estate Winery

Showing posts with label Upper Bench Estate Winery. Show all posts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2016 Altitude - 90pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2016 Altitude (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%

Production: 320 cases
Date Tasted: October 4th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, Upper Bench's Altitude open with an elegant, refined nose of well-integrated, blue and dark fruits, sweet vanilla, oak spice and a hint of blood orange peel. The palate is bright and alert with prominent, blackberry acidity, medium tannins and, again, nicely integrated, ripe, dark fruits and savoury oak characters. Ready to go now and pair with a lean cut of beef of a vegetarian lasagna. Drink 2020-2024.

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Riesling - 88pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Riesling (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $21.74 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 398 cases
Date Tasted: August 25th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Not as sweet as recent vintages (2019 has 7.9 g/l), yet, still a fully, off-dry Riesling and, as always, cheese-friendly. Well balanced with a touch of minerality throughout and a profile of crisp citrus and exotic fruits. Ready to go now. Drink now-2022.

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2018 Merlot Cabernet Franc - 88pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2018 Merlot Cabernet Franc (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $18-20 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.1%
Date Tasted: August 24th, 2020

Tasting Notes: An impressively well-priced blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc offering a fruity, perfumed nose of ripe, blueberry and red currant fruit, pencil shavings and sweet incense. Medium-bodied palate is a tad 'hot' with 14.1% residual alcohol and a slightly, rustic feel, but absolutely packs a flavourful punch of spices, dark fruits and black licorice. Ready to go now, so enjoy this wine as you wait for your cellar stars to develop. Drink 2020-2022.

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Viognier - 88pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Viognier (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.57-21.74 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.6%
Production: 120 cases
Date Tasted: August 13th, 2020

Tasting Notes: The first Viognier release for Upper Bench which follows the playbook used for most of their white wines; a long, cool, stainless steel ferment with a focus on a crisp, vibrant expression of the varietal, which, in the case of this Northern Rhone variety, comes with some natural richness, a touch of minerality and a lovely profile of Tropical and Melon fruit on the nose and palate. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2023.

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Pinot Blanc - 88pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Pinot Blanc (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $18 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 430 cases
Date Tasted: August 11th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A dry, crisp Pinot Blanc blended with 5% Muscat which shows on the nose as a touch of sweet, grapiness on the, otherwise, pear, apple and citrus dominated nose. Palate is vibrant and mouth-watering with racy, peach and green apple acidity and a hint of mineral flavours. Finishes long with lingering citrus zest and a light spice. Think lemony chicken dishes or hearty, vegetarian stews. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2022.

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Pinot Gris - 87pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2019 Pinot Gris (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $20 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.1%
Production: 293 cases
Date Tasted: August 10th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A clean and crisp, unoaked Pinot Gris with a focus on mouth-watering, orchard fruit flavours and aromas. Look for a medley of green and golden apples, citris fruit and plump, fleshy peache on the yeasty nose and the mineral-kissed palate. Refreshing for a hot Summer's day. Drink now-2022.

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2017 Merlot - 88-89pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2017 Merlot (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $28 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 451 cases
Date Tasted: August 10th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A masculine Merlot with an earthy, iron base and layers of cocoa nibs, black currant, vanilla, licorice and spices on the youthful nose and the uber-dry, dusty-tannin palate. Not quite ready, but nearly. If you can't wait another 1-2 years, then be sure to decant for several hours before enjoying with your lean beef or game dinner. Drink 2022-2025+.

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - 92pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $40.35
Alcohol: 14.3%
Production: 151 cases
Date Tasted: January 19th, 2018

Tasting Notes: The 2014 edition of the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunner. Sublime on the nose and palate with enchanting notes of menthol floating above layers of classic cassis, sour cherry, cocoa nibs and baked, blackberry flesh and seeds. Rich in texture and body and long on the spicy finish where toasted oak and clove linger.

Ready to go now and through the next 3-4 years. Pair with a simply seasoned, filet mignon steak and roasted veggies. Drink 2018-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Estate Merlot - 90-91pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Estate Merlot (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $38
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 141 cases
Date Tasted: December 29th, 2017

Tasting Notes: An excellent, masculine'yet'sensual Merlot, full of youthful exuberance and confidence. Offering, not-yet-fully-integrated layers of vanilla-spiked blueberry and cassis fruit, savoury and sweet spices, pipe tobacco, anise, tar and finely grained oak. Should mature beautifully over the next 2-3 years. Drink now-2021+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2015 Cabernet Franc - 88pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2015 Cabernet Franc (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Contact the winery here
Cost: $30.50 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 170 cases
Date Tasted: December 19th, 2017

Tasting Notes: This Cabernet Franc spends 18 months in French oak (30% new) prior to bottling and opens with some lovely floral and lifted berry fruit aromas on the nose. This is followed by a more masculine, bright and metallic palate with mouth-watering black currant acidity and dusty tannins framing the cool-berry fruit and spice box flavours. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Yard Wine - 92+pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Yard Wine (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $30.50
Alcohol: 14.8%
Production: 191 cases
Date Tasted: November 28th, 2017

Tasting Notes: For this beautifully aromatic and intensely dark blend, Upper Bench co-fermented Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes (a 70/30 split, respectively) and then aged them in 25% new French oak barrels for 18 months prior to bottling. The finished wine is equal parts 'pretty' and 'dark' with eucalyptus-mint, spicy cocoa and black cherry-cassis notes on the sensual nose and brooding, blackberry, cola, cocoa, toasted oak and minty flavours on the well-balanced, fine-tannin palate.

Ready to go now with a couple hours of decanting. Or hold for further development in the next 2-3 years. Drink 2018-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2015 Pinot Noir - 89pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2015 Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $28
Alcohol: 14.3%
Production: 316 cases
Date Tasted: November 25th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A well-balanced, black cherry and vanilla-cola scented Pinot Noir with a savoury, toasted herb and sweet earth enriched palate and a vibrant, bright finish of wild berry acidity and lingering spices. Ready to go now and will hold for several years. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2016 Chardonnay - 90pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2016 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 469 cases
Date Tasted: November 23rd, 2017

Tasting Notes: A delicious Chardonnay that straddles the line between robust and vibrant with 50% of the juice barrel fermented and aged in 30% new French oak and 50% seeing stainless steel exclusively prior to bottling. A nice degree of opulence is on offer with mineral notes and vivacious stonefruit acidity present to keep the finish refreshing and balanced. Melon, peach and macadamia nut aromas and flavours throughout. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Cabernet Franc - 88pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Cabernet Franc (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Sold out. Contact the winery here
Cost: $30.50 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.3%
Production: 93 cases
Date Tasted: May 4th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A masculine Cabernet Franc with cool berry, menthol and spicy-licorice aromas on the nose and similar flavours on the full-bodied, mouth-watering palate which also showcases additional cherry and oak notes. The moderate-plus finish lingers with dry herbs and spice notes. Drink late-2017-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - 89+pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $38
Alcohol: 14.6%
Production: 108 cases
Date Tasted: March 27th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A similarly spicy flavour profile to the 2012 edition drives the new vintage of Upper Bench's estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon. Classic, black fruit aromas are complimented by notes of toasted oak and leather and a strong current of sweet spices weaves through the developing bouquet.

The dry, full-ish palate continues the black fruit, oak and spice medley with the addition of dried herbs and sour-cherry flavours. Mid-palate the cocoa-textured tannins take over and push the dark fruit notes aside, leaving spice and charred oak notes to linger in a savoury, mouth-watering finish.

Could use another 6 months in the bottle prior to opening. Drink late-2017-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2016 Riesling - 89pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2016 Riesling (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $23
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 672 cases
Date Tasted: March 25th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Though off-dry, with 8.9g/l of residual sugar, this lovely Riesling presents (nearly) completely dry thanks to well-proportioned green apple acidity keeping the long finish balanced and very refreshing. Look for exotic fruits and creamy citrus aromas on the nose and vibrant apple, melon, lemon/lime and stonefruit flavours on the palate. Ready to go now. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2015 Chardonnay - 89pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2015 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26
Alcohol: 13.7%
Production: 400 cases
Date Tasted: March 10th, 2017

Tasting Notes: 50% of this Chardonnay is barrel fermented and aged in new French oak with the remainder of the fruit seeing stainless steel exclusively. The result is a full-bodied wine evenly combining characteristics of both methods, never feeling heavy or overdone. The natural, crisp acidity of the Burgundian grape is allowed to shine and is complemented by ripe orchard and melon fruit, tangy citrus, macadamia nut and mineral flavours. A touch of spice and brioche linger on the moderate, well-balanced finish.

Enjoy now or over the next 2-3 years and pair it with a wedge of lightly-smoked Gouda. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Pinot Noir - 88pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $28
Alcohol: 13.6%
Production: 305 cases
Date Tasted: March 8th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Opens with a generous, fruit-driven nose with prominent, ripe, black cherry aromas leading the way and oak, spice and vanilla notes adding depth. A dry, full-ish palate follows with decent complexity, mouth-watering berry acidity, light tannins and a medley of red fruit, herbs and toasted oak flavours. Fruit fades quickly on the finish with only rustic, astringent characters lingering. Drink 2017-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2013 Estate Merlot - 90-91pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2013 Estate Merlot (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $38
Alcohol: 14.9%
Production: 116 cases
Date Tasted: March 5th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A sensual, black fruit and vanilla-infused Merlot with a potent backbone of sweet tar, spice and toasted oak. Finishes long and cool with lingering blackberry puree and dusty, fine tannins. Sourced from Upper Bench's home vineyard along the Naramata Bench, this Merlot spends 20 months in 30% new French oak barrels prior to bottling. At nearly 4 years of age its maturing beautifully with more development to come. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Chardonnay - 89pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 235 cases
Date Tasted: March 3rd, 2016

Tasting Notes: A consistently well produced Chardonnay that is full-bodied and loaded with juicy orchard fruit flavours and tangy citrus acidity which invigorate the palate and begs, no, demands to be paired with smoky Gouda cheese. Finish is long and mineral-y with rich, leesy brioche notes and some lingering spice. Enjoy now or over the next 2 years (and don't forget the Gouda). Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

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