SpearHead Winery 2019 Coyote Vineyard Pinot Noir - 91pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 Coyote Vineyard Pinot Noir (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $36 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 350 cases
Date Tasted: July 18th, 2021

Tasting Notes: A nicely textured Pinot Noir with lively acidity, warmth from spices and alcohol, and well-integrated, complex aromas. Opaque and unfiltered the grapes for this wine were sourced from a single-vineyard near West Kelowna with volcanic soils and showcase a medley of scents and flavours from smokey herbs'n'spice and black raspberries on the nose to savoury'n'sweet earth and succulent wild berries on the palate. Ready to go now or hold for 3+ years. Drink 2021-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2020 Rosé - 88pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2020 Rosé (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $21.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.2%
Date Tasted: May 9th, 2021

Tasting Notes: Produced as a field blend of Zweigelt, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir sourced from the winery's West Kelowna estate vineyard and opens with delicate, pleasant aromas of Summer berries, Kiwi and Dragon fruit. Lean melon and cranberry show on the refreshing, mineral-y palate. Offers a well-balanced, textured finish with a hint of lingering spice. Drink now-2022.

- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca 

SpearHead Winery 2018 Coyote Vineyard Pinot Noir - 89+pts

SpearHead Winery 2018 Coyote Vineyard Pinot Noir (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $33 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 250 cases
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Sourced from the West Kelowna located Coyote Vineyard, this release is the smoky-spicy edition of the winery's portfolio of single-vineyard Pinot Noirs for the 2018 vintage. A medley of red fruit aromas and flavours mingle comfortably with homey, toasty cooking spices on the graceful nose and the medium-everything palate. A gentle wave of smoke appears on the long finish enhancing the cozy appear of this Pinot. Ready to go now, though, may develop further over the next 1-2 years. Drink 2020-2025.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2019 Dry Riesling - 87pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2019 Dry Riesling (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 3,600 cases
Date Tasted: April, 29th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A crisp, citrus'n'mellon fruit driven Riesling that finishes dry and tart thanks to plenty of lemon zest and crab apple acidity. The nose is generous, especially as it warms, showcasing mineral and yeast notes which also run through the mouth-watering palate. A touch of spice lingers through to the next sip.

Pair with a rich, slightly spicy and cream-infused dish like perogies with sausage and a creme fresh dressing. Ready to go this year. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2019 Chasselas Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris - 88pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2019 Chasselas Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB Stores and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 23,000 cases
Date Tasted: April 22nd, 2020
@Quails_Gate

Tasting Notes: Not surprisingly, this Chasselas-Pinot Blanc-Pinot Gris blend is the top selling, BC VQA white wine in BC. Certainly, in part, due to the sheer volume produced each vintage (there are more cases of this one label than the total output of many of the Province's boutique wineries), but mostly due to its impressive consistency, year-to-year and its versatility as a dinner companion to white meat dishes (of both the land and sea varieties).

Always clean, always crisp. Look for refreshing and vibrant notes of Asian pear flesh, grapefruit peel, lemon, peach pit and steel on the appealing nose and the mouth-watering palate. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2019 Rosé - 86pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2019 Rosé (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 9600 cases
Date Tasted: April 19th, 2020

Tasting Notes: This pale-salmon hued wine is a blend of Gamay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (percentages withheld) and clocks-in with a modest 12% residual alcohol for the 2019 edition. Leaner and more citrus-y than recent vintages, but ever well-balanced and finished with a beautiful profile of delicate, red fruit, melon and mineral aromas and flavours. Crisp and refreshing. Perfect for salads, hot decks or a nice bag of crisps. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2019 Gewurztraminer - 86pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2019 Gewurztraminer (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 5,900 cases
Date Tasted: April 16th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Leaner and balanced dryer than the average BC Gewurz, this 2019 edition keeps with the house style highlighting the stonefruit and Tropical fruit characters in its flavour profile which are framed nicely by ample, citrus peel acidity and a lively, bristly texture. Ready to go now. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Old Vines Foch Reserve - 91pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Old Vines Foch Reserve (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $46.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 361 cases
Date Tasted: November 25th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Opens with a nose to dive deep into and stay awhile to explore around a little. You'll discover a seductive blend of Kirsch liqueur, cocoa nibs, sweet salami and the pleasing, familiar notes of Christmas cake with its dried, candied fruit. The dry palate is uber food-friendly with well-balanced acidity, mannered tobacco-leaf tannins and similar notes as the nose. Pair with braised venison or other gamey meats at your next special holiday dinner.

Now sealed with a Stelvin cap which will prolong the ageing process, but not completely stifle it. Ready to go now or hold for some development. Drink 2019-2025.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Old Vines Foch - 87pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Old Vines Foch (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $25.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 2800 cases
Date Tasted: November 22nd, 2019

Tasting Notes: Be sure to take your time to appreciate the beautiful, feminine nose of this Marechal Foch and look for a harmonious blend of ripe, dark cherry fruit and savoury characters of vanilla mocha, anise, smoky spices, sweet prune and poppy seeds. A mouth-watering and dry palate follows offering a similar blend of flavours enhanced by tart red fruit, dried fruit notes and finished with dusty tannins. Ready to go now. Drink now-2023.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Pinot Noir - 89pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Pinot Noir (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 3400 cases
Date Tasted: November 18th, 2019

Tasting Notes: The quintessential BC Pinot Noir with hints of caramelized, BBQ Salmon skin notes supporting its classic pairing of ripe, brambly berries and savoury, cedar'n'herbs. Fresh, balanced and well structured with food-friendly acidity and medium body and tannins. Blended with 7% Gamay Noir contributing a little added dimension via a touch of dried fruit on the nose and palate. Drink now-2023.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Merlot - 87pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Merlot (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 15%
Production: 3785 cases
Date Tasted: November 5th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A dramatic, toasty-warm Merlot thanks to grippy, charred-oak tannins and a palate-coating level of alcohol (15%). A combination of savoury and fruit notes collide on the nose and palate. Look for black currant, wild berry and black cherry aromas and flavours contrasted by coffee grinds, licorice and tobacco. Ready to go now or hold for another 2-3 years with some mellowing of the tannins to be expected. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

JoieFarm 2016 "En Famille" Reserve Riesling - 90-91pts

JoieFarm 2016 "En Famille" Reserve Riesling (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $24.26 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.4%
Date Tasted: September 20th, 2018
Re-tasted: August 5th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Sourced from a block of Riesling planted in the St. Hubertus vineyard in 1978, the En Famille is both concentrated and delicate with a lovely, rich-yet-fluid texture thanks to off-dry residual sugar, effortless citrus acidity and fresh, pitted fruit flavours. Ginger, peach, mineral and dessert-friendly herbs notes add complexity to the nose and palate. Ready to go now or hold for another 2-4 years to wait for honeycomb characters to develop. Drink 2020-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Re-Tasting Notes: A year-on from its release, Joie's reserve Riesling is showing development of kerosene notes and enhanced minerality on the nose. The palate has integrated further and the balance has shifted dryer. Though evolved some, there is more to come, so keep to the original, suggested drinking window: 2020-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Rosé - 87pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Rosé (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 9600 cases
Date Tasted: June 30th, 2019

Tasting Notes: I have yet to find another BC rosé that delivers this much value with no element out-of-place as the Quails' Gate blush. A blend of 50% Gamay, 40% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Gris with characters of each variety on offer; candied fruit'n'spices from the Gamay, earthy red fruit from the Pinot Noir and fleshy, yet, mouth-watering texture from both the Pinot Gris and Noir. Finish is a tad short but forgivable at this price-point. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Dry Riesling - 86pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Dry Riesling (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 3,600 cases
Date Tasted: May 29th, 2019

Tasting Notes: An aromatic and peachy, youthful bouquet greets you on the nose of this well-priced, bright'n'tingly Riesling. Off-dry levels of residual sugar are balanced, or rather dominated, by waves of citrus and fresh peach acidity on the crisp, mouth-watering palate. Pair with a contrasting texture of hard, white cheese like Gruyere to avoid palate fatigue. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Gewurztraminer - 86pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Gewurztraminer (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 5,900 cases
Date Tasted: May 22nd, 2019

Tasting Notes: A 'pretty' Gewurztraminer with a lovely, floral and stony pear scented nose, followed by a lean (for a Gewurz) and mouth-watering palate of Tropical and citrus fruit flavours. Dryer, in balance, than recent vintages of this wine, and slightly less textured. A hint of spice lingers on the bright finish. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Chasselas Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris - 88pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Chasselas Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB Stores and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 18,300 cases
Date Tasted: May 20th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Clean, crisp and so refreshing, this blend of 60% Chasselas, 20% Pinot Blanc, and 20% Pinot Gris makes an excellent pairing for your next sun-drenched patio visit thanks to its cheerful, citrus and Asian pear scented nose and its mouth-watering, textured and lightly-spiced, stone fruit flavoured palate. Fresh salads topped with your favourite, grilled or poached seafood is the way to go, though, a tasty bag of Kettle chips is a close 2nd choice. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2017 Coyote Vineyard Pinot Noir - 88pts

SpearHead Winery 2017 Coyote Vineyard Pinot Noir (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $33 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Another single-vineyard Pinot from SpearHead, this one from a site in West Kelowna planted to just one clone (115) and producing the most fruit-forward and lively Pinot of the portfolio. Savoury elements are more restricted to the oak-influence variety (spices, vanilla and oak notes themselves) with some mineral-y characters coming from the terroir. Well produced, as are all of SpearHead's Pinot, under the direction of former Quails' Gate winemaker Grant Stanley.

For a treat, order each of the winery's 5 distinct Pinot Noirs and open them all for your Pinot-loving friends and compare notes and scores. Everyone will have their favourite... will they line-up with our results?

Pinot Noir Cuvée - 91pts
Golden Retreat Vineyard - 90pts
GFV Saddle Block - 89pts
Club Consensus - 88pts
Coyote Vineyard - 88pts

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir - 91pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $51.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 1150 cases
Date Tasted: April 27th, 2019

Tasting Notes: More lush and concentrated than the winery's regular Pinot Noir, the Stewart Family Reserve offers the same, well-proportioned blend of BC Pinot characters, brambly berries, savoury cedar and dried herbs, but wrapped in a more elegant, silky blanket of goodness with added depth from vanilla, creamy raspberry and fresh shortbread notes. Spice and a touch of cranberry linger on the long finish. Ready to go now or enjoy over the next 4-5 years. Drink now-2024.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Pinot Noir - 90pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Pinot Noir (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.1%
Production: 3400 cases
Date Tasted: April 25th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A well-balanced Pinot Noir with classic BC-Pinot characters of equal parts; brambly berries, savoury cedar and dried herbs. Smooth on the pretty nose and the fine-tannin, wild berry acid palate. Sealed with a Stelvin cap and ready to go now. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay - 91+pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $39.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: approx 1100 cases
Date Tasted: March 31st, 2019

Tasting Notes: Oh so elegant and smooth, this French oak kissed Chardonnay is both rich and focused with a full-ish body, juicy peach and nectarine aromas and flavours supported by concentrated minerality on the nose and palate which elevate the balance and structure. A long-lasting finish offers lingering citrus zest, signature macadamia nuts and a hint of exotic spices.

A versatile Chardonnay that will pair with classic, white pasta and seafood dishes, hard cheeses and be comfortably served alone. Ready to go now or hold for further development over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2019-2024.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca