Flagstone 2012 Longitude (Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: July 6th, 2014
Re-tasted: November 5th, 2015
Tasting Notes: Vibrant, intense, dark and red fruit aromas and fresh, mint-chocolate notes greet you on the nose of this well-priced, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec blend (50%, 30% and 20%, respectively) from the Western Cape. The palate is both juicy and bright with sweet, spicy plum, blackberry and cherry cola flavours balancing the mouth-watering, wild berry acidity. Finishes a bit short and residual sugar levels may make protein pairing a challenge, but a solid, easy-drinking wine, worth a flyer. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
KWV Winery 2012 Roodeberg (Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.29 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: October 1st, 2015
Tasting Notes: Most people don't decant budget wines. They twist off the cap and pour immediately, occasionally complaining of a harsh or rigid mouthfeel. Decanting is not just for aged, cellar worth wines of-a-certain-price. Many wines, like this perfectly enjoyable $12 blend of Bordeaux and Rhone varieties need a chance to open-up, release some trapped gas and settled own before they become drinkable. And that's not to say that decanting will make this middleweight, blue fruit and sweet oak-infused wine taste like a much more expensive one, it won't, it's simply essential to making it drinkable. Notes of licorice, plum, mocha and spice linger on the moderate finish. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Two Oceans Wines 2013 Sauvignon Blanc (Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $9.79 + taxes
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: July 31st, 2015
Tasting Notes: Pungent, verging on soapy, on the nose. With time, sweeter aromas appear; papaya, quince, gooseberry and kerosene. Palate is watery and lacks intensity of flavour, though, pleasantly balanced between its fruit and acid components.Citrus, kiwi and melon flavourss blend nicely. Finish is short. Drink now.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Douglas Green Wines 2012 The Beach House Red (Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: March 7th, 2015
Tasting Notes: A perfectly serviceable blend of (roughly) 75% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre and 5% Viognier from the Western Cape region of South Africa that offers intense, bright aromas of red fruit and spicy-cola on the rustic nose. Balance sways a tad sweet and sharp on the red fruit-infused palate with the sweetness and residual acidity tipping the scale and overshadowing the vanilla, spice and tannin layers. Drink 2015.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
Nederburg Wines 2012 Winemaster's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Coastal Region) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: July 23rd, 2014
Tasting Notes: Few Cabernet Sauvignon in the under $15 category produce as pleasant a nose as the Nederburg Winemaster's Reserve does. Vibrant blackberry, nibs candy and vanilla-coke aromas are supported by an even blanket of sweet, oak spice and blooming flowers. The palate is not quite as smooth, with the balance skewing a bit acidic, especially on the short finish, but there's good continuity from the nose in the form of ripe, juicy red fruit and oak flavours (though, more of the charred variety).
Needs a long decant to open up, though, ageing this wine would be for naught. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Graham Beck Wines 2011 The Game Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Robertson) Western Cape - South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $17.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: July 10th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Over-delivers for the price with a uniquely South African Cabernet Sauvignon blend of smoky incense, mocha and spicy plum fruit aromas on the feminine nose. Dark berry fruit flavours come to the forefront on the palate with smoky oak and allspice notes playing a supporting role. Acid is quite fresh, keeping the mouth feel vibrant and alive, while graphite tannins help frame the fruit and add some structure. Finish is balanced, but moderate in length. Enjoy on its own or with a desert plate of dark chocolate and dried figs. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
