Bodega Renacer 2012 Punta Final Malbec (Mendoza) Argentina
Availability: Widely available
Cost: $15.99 (BCLDB Stores)
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: November 5th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Certainly, a dark and brooding Malbec with blackberry and black currant fruit aromas mingling with licorice and charred oak notes. Good continuity from the nose to the medium+ bodied palate where the emphasis is on blackberry purée, spice, mannered tannins and mouth-watering acidity, making this Malbec very food-friendly. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
LaStella 2012 Fortissimo (Osoyoos Lake Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 14.9%
Production: 833 cases (750ml), 113 cases (375ml), 96 magnums, 12 dbl magnums
Date Tasted: November 2nd, 2014
Tasting Notes: I never like to quote a winery's marketing material, but Fortissimo's tag line "Old world meets the New World" is hard to beat. The wine is equal parts, ripe, BC Meritage and savoury, traditional Chianti. When combined, the result is an Okanagan version of a modern, 'Super-Tuscan', with fragrant, feminine aromas of sweet berry purée, floral incense, anise and oak spice coupled with comforting notes of tapenande and tomato stock.
The palate offers good continuity from the nose and showcases flavours and structural elements from each of the blended components: 39% Merlot (juicy, mixed-berry fruit, alcohol viscosity), 38% Cabernet Franc (plum, vegetal, rustic tannins, texture), 17% Cabernet Sauvignon (dark berry notes, extra tannins) and 6% Sangiovese (savoury, huckleberry acidity).
The wine is aged for 19 months in French and Hungarian oak prior to bottling. Be sure to decant properly for 2+ hours if you plan to open a bottle this year. Drink 2015-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Painted Rock Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine shops
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: November 1st, 2014
Tasting Notes: My favourite words for the Painted Rock Chardonnay are "consistency", "pure" and "effortless". And its the last word of the bar-setting trio that makes this wine such a stand out. The nose is generous with layers of pure fruit (orchard, citrus, tropical) supported by French oak, minerals and light brioche aromas, but it is the effortless palate that is most memorable.
The refined, round and deceptively complex palate offers a slightly effervescent texture with intense flavours of melon, tangerine, caramel, vanilla, spice and warm brioche contrasted beautifully by tangy green apple and cool stonefruit notes through to the long, long finish. Chardonnay at its cool-climate best. Drink 2014-2018+
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
SpierHead Winery 2013 Chardonnay (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $23
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 270 cases
Date Tasted: November 1st, 2014
@spierheadwinery
Tasting Notes: A delicate nose of apricot and nectarine aromas opens this Chardonnay with a susurrus of brioche and mineral notes in the background. Hailing from East Kelowna, the wine balances its sweet orchard fruit and tangy citrus elements nicely with a cool mineral backbone and a kiss of residual sugar. Spice and lime rind flavours linger on the finish. Drink 2014-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 4500 cases
Date Tasted: November 1st, 2014
Tasting Notes: A round, warm-brioche and baked apple infused nose with additional, intriguing notes of kiwi, stonefruit and light lemon curd. The dry palate starts and finishes with tangy citrus and green apple flavours and acidity. Between the mouth-watering bookends is a vein of lean minerals, plump tropical fruit and a hint of oak. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
