Chateau Des Charmes 2013 Vidal Icewine (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario
Availability: Direct from the winery here and LCBO storesCost: $25.95 (200ml)Alcohol: 9%Production: 3309 casesDate Tasted: December 9th, 2014
Tasting Notes: This beautifully constructed, dense Vidal ice wine smells and tastes of a bowl of apricot and honeydew-infused custard adorned with shavings of candied lime peel. The unctuous, honeyed fruit is balanced nicely with lemon/lime acidity through to an everlasting finish. Divine. Drink now-2017+. - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Henschke 2013 Peggy's Hill Riesling (Eden Valley) South Australia - Australia
Availability: Limited
Cost: $17-20 (Australia)
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: December 9th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Though it opens with an ambitious, aromatic nose of orange blossoms, rose water and citrus fruit, this Eden Valley Riesling becomes a demure, subtle charmer on its mineral and citrus infused, (mostly) dry palate.
Looks to be a good candidate for cellaring due to its light, tropical fruit notes on the palate that should evolve and become more prominent over the next 5 years or so. Drink 2018-2020+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Grant Burge Wines 2012 Berryfield (Barossa Valley) South Australia - AustraliaAvailability: LimitedCost: $23 (Australia)Alcohol: 14%Date Tasted: December 7th, 2014Tasting Notes: Cherry and pepper galore on the nose of this Barossa Valley Shiraz with light menthol and oak aromas supported. This balanced combo carries through to the dry-yet-juicy, mouth-watering palate where the spices become more prominent on the moderate finish. Drink 2014-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Chris Ringland Wines 2012 Barossa Shiraz (Barossa Valley) South Australia - Australia
Availability: Limited
Cost: $25 (Australia)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: December 5th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Fruit-forward, chewy and bursting with flavour, this Shiraz leans towards the 'too much' end of the residual sugar spectrum, but its proportioned acidity and mannered, fine tannins keep it balanced and allows the drinker to appreciate the layers of blackberry and cherry fruit complimented by eucalyptus and pepper on the nose and palate. Drink 2014-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Two Hands Wines 2012 Angel's Share Shiraz (McLaren Vale) South Australia - Australia
Availability: BCLDB stores, Costco (Washington State)
Cost: $40 (BC), $25 (WA)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: December 4th, 2014
Tasting Notes: A cherry-cola'n'spice fuelled beauty from McLaren Vale with complimentary sweet and savoury aromas on the intense, layered nose. This 'big boy' Shiraz (mostly) handles its substantial residual alcohol (15.2%) thanks to intense, cherry and raspberry fruit flavours, a touch of residual sugar and savoury licorice and oak characters which create a rich texture to support the alcohol through to a long, spicy finish. Drink 2014-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
