Errazuriz 2007 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc - 89pts

Errazuriz 2007 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley) - Chile

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $13.99 (375ml)
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: February 27th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Late Harvest wines offer an excellent and affordable alternative when the impressive funds needed to purchase icewines aren't available. Having been produced in Chile makes this excellent and highly concentrated, sweet Sauvignon Blanc from Errazuriz even more of a great value. The intense nose of apricot, lemon and honey is followed by and equally intense, watery-textured sweet palate of honeyed citrus flavours. Enjoy nearly all of the intensity of an icewine without the palate coating heaviness and at a fraction of the price. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2010 Red Carpet Pinot Noir - 85pts

Cassini Cellars 2010 Red Carpet Pinot Noir (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC


Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $18-20
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 1049 cases
Date Tasted: September 1st, 2011

Tasting Notes: The "Red Carpet" Pinot Noir is Cassini Cellars' entry-level Pinot produced with minimal oak aging and with the casual meal or get together in mind. The wine delivers as advertised with typical red fruit and subtle forest floor aromas on the light nose and a medium-bodied presentation on the lightly tannic, red fruit palate. Sharp acidity forces the balance askew making the accompaniment of food a warranted necessity. A simple, yet quality wine that will pair with an assortment of roasted meats released at (or below) the $20 mark making it an ideal choice for informal parties when you don't know what will be served. Drink 2011-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Montes 2009 Limited Selection Cabernet Carmenere - 87+pts

Montes 2009 Limited Selection Cabernet Carmenere (Apalta Vineyard) Colchagua Valley - Chile

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $18-19.50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: August 28th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Despite a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Carmenere, it is the once-thought-to-be-eradicated 6th Bordeaux varietal Carmenere whose candied fruit and spice characters dominate the intense nose. A heavily extracted, yet watery-textured presentation follows on the juicy palate with concentrated mixed-berry fruit flavours and mouth-watering acidity. Coarse, medium-plus tannins will keep this wine "cooking" in your cellar for some further development but it may not be worth the patience needed. Drink 2011-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Bartier-Scholefield 2010 Rosé Table Wine - 87pts

Bartier-Scholefield 2010 Rosé Table Wine (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 792 cases
Date Tasted: August 31st, 2011

Tasting Notes: The "When Michael Met David" themed press kit that accompanied this crisp and fruity rosé reads like the rejected first draft of "When Harry Met Sally" where everyone gets along immediately with a mutual respect for one another and a similar outlook on life - no conflict to speak of. But, what doesn't work for an Odd Couple styled narrative, does work for designing, producing and releasing a tasty wine. The "Michael" being former Road 13 Vineyards winemaker Michael Bartier and the "David" being former head BCLDB wine buyer David Scholefield who both have spent time as consultants post their previously held name-making positions.

The result of this partnership is a 100% Gamay, bone-dry rosé that may not appeal to fans of BC blush the likes of JoieFarm's flagship pink. However, the concentration achieved on the palate is so great and cheerful, that despite the dryness, one is left with a loving embrace of freshly baked cherry-goodness and rhubarb-tang. The texture and balance are spot-on with a touch of tannin from the Gamay skins and mouth-watering acidity. As rosé wines have a tendency to age poorly, we suggest a purchase'n'pour application with this release. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Monthly Picks: September 2011

Big House Wines 2009 White - $13
Despite the grocery list of ingredients, the wine is not overly complex, yet the crisp, fun and easy-drinking character of the wine make it an easy addition to your summer sipping rotation.
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Cassini Cellars 2010 Mamma Mia Pinot Gris - $19
Residual acid keeps the sweetness in check leaving your palate refreshed for the next mouthful. The finish seems to go on and on and stays balanced with just a touch of lingering spice.
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Red Rooster Winery 2008 Reserve Meritage - $23
Recently awarded a Lieutenant Governor’s Award of Excellence, this Cabernet Franc leading blend offers an intense, tangy nose of dark berries, dark cherry, stinky cheese, licorice, anise and toasted oak aromas.
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Chateau Bellevue La Randee 2009 Grand Vin - $25
Far from a wallflower, this intense blend from Bordeaux offers a big nose full of earthy characters and complex aromas of blueberry, cassis, plum, cedar, hazelnut, vanilla, oak and smoke with floral notes and Cabernet Franc funk.
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Fairview Cellars 2009 Merlot - $25
An intense, bold nose of ripe, extracted dark berries supported by toasted oak, vanilla and pencil shaving aromas. On the palate the entry is sweeter than typical for a Fairview wine with scrumptious dark fruit purée, sweet oak flavours and mouth-watering acidity.
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Eroica 2009 Riesling - $20-30
Produced from Columbia Valley fruit, the Eroica Riesling is a joint venture between Washington State's Chateau Ste Michelle and Germany's Dr. Loosen. The collaboration produces a spectacular Riesling year-in, year-out which seems to celebrate vintage variation rather than try to overcome it.
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Chateau Giscours 2005 Grand Vin - $70-90
The superb, well rounded 2005 vintage sees 60% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 32% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot yielding a wine with rounded tannins, a chalky texture and a long, balanced finish.
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