Young and Wyse Collection 2011 Amber - 87pts

Young and Wyse Collection 2011 Amber (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 11.5%
Production: 1175 cases
Date Tasted: June th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A lively and cheerful blend of 43% Viognier, 37% Pinot Gris and 20% Gewurztraminer with apple crumble, papaya and sweet citrus aromas on the pleasant nose. The crisp palate follows with intense green apple acidity, lemon/lime flavours and cool minerality. A long finish with lingering tartness, light spice and a hint of edible flowers. Not as rich and textured as the 2010 version: an altogether different animal with the 2011 release serving as a tart, refreshing, low-alcohol summer sipper. Pair with seafood dishes or enjoy this tasty wine on its own on a sunny deck. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Young and Wyse Collection 2011 Pinot Gris - 88pts

Young and Wyse Collection 2011 Pinot Gris (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 11%
Production: 575 cases
Date Tasted: June 7th, 2012

Tasting Notes: This is the first vintage of Pinot Gris to be released from the Young and Wyse Collection team whose winery rests just north of the Canada/US border beneath Osoyoos. Cool, crisp and masculine with lively stonefruit, lemon/lime, pink grapefruit and peach skin characters and a nice mineral backbone highlighted by a steely finish and a touch of lingering spice. Produced in a Northern Italy Pinot Grigio style, the low alcohol and dry, refreshingly tart palate makes this wine an excellent Summer Sipper and with its screwcap enclosure, should be served by-the-glass at every restaurant with a patio. Enjoy it in its youth. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Young and Wyse Collection 2010 Merlot - 86pts

Young and Wyse Collection 2010 Merlot (East Bench Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 13.6%
Production: 1400 cases
Date Tasted: December 17th, 2011

Tasting Notes: The aromatic, floral and red fruit nose reminds one of a cool-climate Cabernet Franc from the Loire Vally, but the blackberry flavoured, medium-everything palate is pure Merlot. The cold, late-budding 2010 vintage created some imposing winemaking challenges including a struggle towards ripeness and plenty of residual acid. A focus on balance was needed and is mostly achieved here. Prune aromas and flavours penetrate the fruit-forward, yet, overly juicy presentation on the nose and palate while muted savoury characters of cedar, spice, oak, minerals and tobacco play a supporting role only. Drink mid-2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010 IconWines.ca

Young and Wyse Collection 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon - 87-88pts

Young and Wyse Collection 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26.90
Alcohol: 13.3%
Production: 1848 cases
Date Tasted: December 16th, 2011

Tasting Notes: The Young and Wyse Collection 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is the first, to my knowledge, “big” red wine (Cabernet, Syrah, Meritage blend) to be released in BC from the cool 2010 season and offers an intriguing look at what we can expect this vintage to reveal of itself via the thicker-skinned red grapes famous the world over for high tannins and bold, dark fruit flavours. Thus far, the late-starting and cool-summered 2010 growing season has produced some excellent white whites and Pinot Noir that were saved by a long, mild-mannered Autumn, but expectations for wines produced from BC’s sun-loving grapes have been tempered.

The result, from this first example, is of an impressively complex vintage, possibly due to longer hang-time than typical, with an unique savoury flavour profile of tobacco leaf, bitter mocha, licorice, pine sap, Christmas spice and cassis fruit, but one that may too easily be dismissed as “unripe”. The tannins are a bit green but the winemakers have made the most of this by focusing their efforts on presenting a Pinot-like expression of subtle complexity rather than over-the-top extraction and body. A cool, masculine Cabernet to be sure. Could use another 6-12 months in the bottle before opening. Drink mid-2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Young and Wyse Collection 2010 Amber - 88pts

Young and Wyse Collection 2010 Amber (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 589 cases
Date Tasted: April 12th, 2011

Tasting Notes: The first white wine to be released by Osoyoos winery Young and Wyse Collection is a blend of 47% Viognier, 38% Pinot Gris and 15% Gewurztraminer. Rich in aromatic and baked fruit aromas on the medium intense nose followed by a dry palate bursting at the seams with succulent pineapple, grapefruit and ripe peach flavours. The balance is ever-so-slightly "hot", but the richness on the palate generally masks the alcohol. Crisp citrus acidity, in turn, balances the fullness on the palate resulting in a very tasty wine with a moderate-plus finish and excellent texture. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Young and Wyse Collection 2009 33-30-24-13 - 89pts

Young and Wyse Collection 2009 33-30-24-13 (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $26.90
Alcohol: 14.3%
Production: 856 cases
Date Tasted: January 3rd, 2011

Tasting Notes: Osoyoos based winery Young and Wyse Collection released their second vintage of wines in late November, all reds from 2009, which included a new blend called "33-30-24-13". The name refers to the unique recipe of 33% Merlot, 30% Syrah, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Cabernet Franc that winemaker Stephen Wyse fashioned during blending. Essentially, it's a traditional Meritage with a twist; a substantial amount of Syrah added and in short, it works well.

Mr. Wyse is not the first Okanagan winemaker to use Syrah with traditional Bordeaux varietals and won't be the last as the focus on producing uniquely Okanagan wines is trending well and should be encouraged. Yes, some wineries create excellent  Bordeaux-inspired blends, but they will always remain linked to the world-famous French region as "examples of" rather than establishing a proprietary identity. The inclusion of Syrah in this and similar wines (see La Frenz's Montage and Mission Hill's Quatrain) reflects the growing admiration for, and recognition that, Syrah is becoming a key red varietal in the southern Okanagan Valley and may one day put the valley on the international stage for something other than icewine.

The "33-30-24-13" has a complex and layered, restrained nose of red fruits, dark berries, savoury earth and sweet spice aromas. The dry palate follows with concentrated cassis, cherry and earth flavours with a juicy, yet refined texture that never feels too heavy (or "hot") in the mouth. Smooth tannins are well integrated with food-friendly, medium-plus acidity and a long finish with lingering cranberry tartness and pepper. Sealed with a synthetic cork enclosure which may limit further development in the bottle. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Young and Wyse Collection 2009 Syrah - 87pts

Young and Wyse Collection 2009 Syrah (Osoyoos East Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $22.90
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 957 cases
Date Tasted: December 11th, 2010

Tasting Notes: The nose of this tasty Syrah from Osoyoos producer Young and Wyse Collection is dark and brooding with medium-intense ripe black cherry, toasted oak, coffee bean and spice box aromas. It's not all doom and gloom however, as the nose is brightened with cherry cola and nib notes.

The dry, medium-bodied palate follows with similar, concentrated dark cherry and oak flavours and a bit more savoury spice character than on the nose. Easy-going tannins and acid provide a simple but effective structure while the moderate-plus finish lingers with pepper and clove spice.

This Syrah, as with many 2009's, is approachable in it's youth and shows the traits of a wine that will develop a bit over time. To make the most of your purchase, if you can be patient, I recommend giving the wine another 6-9 months in the bottle before opening. Drink mid/late 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010 IconWines.ca

Young and Wyse Collection 2009 Merlot - 88pts

Young and Wyse Collection 2009 Merlot (East Bench Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 14.2%
Production: 914 cases
Date Tasted: December 7th, 2010

Tasting Notes: There is a sweetness to the nose of this well-priced Merlot from Osoyoos winery Young and Wyse Collection which is so very pleasant to quaff. Crushed dark berries dominate and provide the sweetness accompanied by warm stone aromas reminiscent of the desert-like conditions of Osoyoos itself.

The dry palate delivers good continuity from the nose with concentrated, but not overdone, flavours of dark berries. The oak treatment, 11 months, is more prominent on the palate but has contributed vanilla and spice notes to the nose as well. The result is above average complexity and a New World Merlot that tastes more like a blend than a straight varietal wine.

The tannins and solid and smooth and the acid is balanced nicely with lingering tartness on the moderate finish - great for food. With an aggressive get-to-market timeline, winemaker Stephen Wyse has managed to produce a very drinkable wine and one that offers good value. However, I do recommend cellaring for 6 months or longer before opening. Drink mid-2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010 IconWines.ca

Young and Wyse Collection 2008 Merlot - 87pts

Young and Wyse Collection 2008 Merlot (Osoyoos East Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Sold out at the winery. Some VQA stores may still have some
Cost: $19.90
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 1000 cases
Date Tasted: October 3rd, 2010

Tasting Notes: Bottled in October 2009 after 11 months in oak (80% French and 20% American), this lush Merlot made from Osoyoos East Bench fruit was released shortly there after. Far too soon, but likely, out of necessity as the Young and Wyse Collection's first vintage needed to get to market. I decided to hold on to my bottle for an extra year of aging. If you did as well, then you are reaping the rewards of patience as the extra year has settled the wine and allowed it to open up.

Dark ruby in colour with an intense nose of dark berries, mocha, dark chocolate, vanilla and spice. Continuity of flavours follows through to the dry palate with added notes of warm gravel and tart acidity. Ripe tannins frame a chalky-textured mouth feel. Toasted oak and spice box flavours linger on the moderate finish who's balance is just a touch hot. Pair with food like grilled meats or peppered dark chocolate. Drink 2010-2012.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010