Lunessence Winery and Vineyard 2016 Sauvignon Blanc Muscat - 89pts

Lunessence Winery and Vineyard 2016 Sauvignon Blanc Muscat (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Visit website here 
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 11.5%
Production: 660 cases
Date Tasted: November 10th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Once again a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, Viognier, Chardonnay and Semillon, though, the 2016 edition is decidedly more delicate and sweeter than the 2015 vintage with dainty, sugar-dusted peach candies and dried apricot aromas on the nose and with Muscat's pure grapey-ness dominating the slightly effervescent, off-dry palate. The finish is long and lined with minerals and grapefruit rind notes.

Enjoy this wine, in its youth, with a spicy, Red Curry Thai Soup or hard cheese plate - Gruyere would be divine. Drink this wine in its youth. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2015 Pinot Noir - 89pts

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2015 Pinot Noir (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and Private Wine Stores
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: November 8th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Consistently a great example of the unique, brambly fruit'n'savoury herbs profile of BC Pinot Noir. This Okanagan Falls sourced Pinot offers black cherry and wild berry aromas supported by forest floor and fresh, sweet sage notes with similar fruit flavours on the (very nearly) dry palate where layers of spicy plums and sweet oak add depth. Finish is moderate this vintage, but well balanced. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Chateau Des Charmes 2014 Rosé Sparkling Wine - 87pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2014 Rosé Sparkling Wine (Niagara-on-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and LCBO stores
Cost: $32.95
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 750 cases
Date Tasted: November 5th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Delicate raspberry, raw honey and Angle Food cake aromas grace the nose of this traditional method, rosé Brut. Following is a (mostly) dry palate with medium bubbles, delicate strawberry and covert, spicy plum flavours. Finish is a bit short, but well balanced and refreshing. Drink now-2020+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2015 Syrah - 92+pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2015 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $36.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: November 4th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Fantastical concentration in this Black Sage Bench sourced Syrah with deep, black cherry and sensual, floral aromas on the generous nose and oak-kissed layers of black cherry, mint, pepper, tobacco and blood orange flavours on the smoky, fine tannin palate. Simply gorgeous. Drink 2018-2025.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Graffigna 2015 Malbec - 85pts

Graffigna 2015 Malbec (San Juan) Argentina

Availability: Private wine stores

Cost: $12.59 + taxes

Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: November 4th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A fruity and juicy, mixed-berry driven Malbec with some brooding, dark fruit and light spice notes in the background of the medium-plus intense nose. The palate is bright and a bit sharp with a similar, berry-forward profile with dusty, rough tannins and toasted oak chip notes on the short(ish) finish. Drink now-2019.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca