Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars N/V Brut – 90+pts

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars N/V Brut (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $23.90
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: December 31st, 2010

Tasting Notes: A blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris (47/47/6) grapes produced in the traditional Champagne method, this sparkling wine has been built to last. The lees-y character (two years sur-lie) will bloom over time and create a richly textured sparkler that will be sure to impress even the most severe of your Canadian-wine skeptic friends.

Apples, pears and a touch of citrus aromas on the nose with mineral and lees notes. The dry palate has mouth-watering lime zest acidity and a lingering, orchard fruit finish. A serious sparkling wine without the serious price-tag. Drink now or hold for 5-7 more years.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Meiomi 2008 Pinot Noir - 89pts

Meiomi 2008 Pinot Noir (Sonoma County) California - USA

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $29.99
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: December 31st, 2010

Tasting Notes: Showing good typicity, this is a classic, fruit-forward, juicy, California Pinot Noir which is nicely balanced with forest floor, espresso, pine, mushroom and savoury spice characters. A touch of residual sugar adds weight to the rich, fruity, dry palate whose soft tannins and acidity make for a very easy-drinking Pinot Noir. Hardcore Burgundy lovers may not appreciate the opulent fruit but this remains a good-quality Pinot for the masses with excellent complexity and depth. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier (with Hugh Carter) ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Averill Creek Vineyard 2008 Pinot Gris - 86pts

Averill Creek Vineyard 2008 Pinot Gris (Cowichan Valley) Vancouver Island - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $19.90 (BC), $25.95 (AB)
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 900 cases
Date Tasted: December 22nd, 2010

Tasting Notes: 2008 must have been a tough year to ripen fruit in the Cowichan Valley. When compared to the excellent 2007 vintage of this Pinot Gris, the alcohol and sweetness is way down for the 2008 release which means the fruit prior to fermentation lacked sugar (brix). The acidity that Pinot Gris generates in a cool climate is formidable and the lack of enough sweetness leaves the wine a bit unbalanced and short on complexity. However, it is not all bad news for this wine as there are many things to like: a nice nose of citrus, baked apples and lees aromas with crisp, green apple tartness and pear, mineral and apple cider flavours. Drink 2011-2012.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Averill Creek Vineyard 2008 Prevost - 86pts

Averill Creek Vineyard 2008 Prevost (Cowichan Valley) Vancouver Island - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $19.90 (BC), $25.95 (AB)
Alcohol: 12%
Production: 1100 cases
Date Tasted: December 31st, 2010

Tasting Notes: The nose of this Marechal Foch dominated blend is fresh and intense with field berry, chocolate, light oak, prune and rustic earth aromas which spill out of the glass. The cool and wet 2008 growing season has robbed the wine of equally intense flavours on the dry and acidic palate. This is a wine that would be best served with food as the right pairing will bring out the rustic berry fruit flavours delivering a unique drinking experience. Drink 2011-2012.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2008 Pinot Noir - 88pts

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2008 Pinot Noir (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 12.7%
Production: 112 cases
Date Tasted: January 2nd, 2010

Tasting Notes: New Lillooet based winery, Fort Berens will be producing wines from their estate grown grapes in the upcoming 2011 vintage. Until then, including this Pinot Noir, their wines are produced from grapes sourced from the Okanagan Valley and showcase the skill of winemaker (and co-proprietor) Heleen Pannekoek, rather than the terroir of Lillooet.



The nose offers complex aromas of dark cherry, raspberry, vanilla and forest funk with loads of allspice and earth notes. Savoury earth and oak characters take a starring role on the bone-dry palate with supple tannins and red fruits supporting. Well balanced with food-friendly, mouth-watering acidity and a long finish with lingering sweet spice.


Pair with a warm kale salad with roasted duck, baked gnocchi and fig goat’s cheese. Drink 2011-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca