Black Hills Estate Winery 2017 Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Wine club exclusive. See winery for details here
Cost: $39.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: March 27th, 2019
Tasting Notes: A new edition to the portfolio, this playful, rounded Pinot Noir is exclusive to wine club members and sourced from Naramata Bench vineyards offering a youthful nose of black cherry ice cream and raspberry seed aromas followed by a smooth, medium-bodied palate where some classic, earthy Pinot characters support its red fruit components. A touch of toasted herbs notes linger on the moderate finish. Drink 2019-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Achaval Ferrer Winery 2017 Malbec (Mendoza) Argentina
Availability: Private wine stores like Everything Wine
Cost: $34.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 23rd, 2019
Tasting Notes: This is an uber extracted, smokey, seductress of a Malbec with an intense, aromatic, black fruit'n'incense scented nose and an equally intense, chewy palate with rounded tannins, dense, dark fruit, smokey spices and bright, fresh blackberry acidity. A fantastic wine for BBQ meats or dark chocolate. Drink 2019-2025.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Mascota Vineyards 2015 Unanime (Maipú District) Mendoza - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $28.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 22nd, 2019
Tasting Notes: A hedonistic blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec and 15% Cabernet Franc, the Unanime shows lively, dark and red fruit aromas on the fruit-forward, expressive nose with notes of vanilla, sweet incense smoke and herbs in the background.
The palate that follows is equally fruit-forward with concentrated mixed berry fruit suggesting off-dry levels of residual sugar, yet, the wine is (mostly) dry with a wave of savoury goodness enveloping the fruit mid-palate and through to the long, smoke'n'spice flavoured finish.
At four years of age, this tasty blend is ready to g now. Drink 2019-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Michel Torino 2018 Cuma Organic Torrontés (Cafayate Valley) Salta - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: March 20th, 2019
Tasting Notes: A pleasant, crisp and clean Torrontés with a floral and pear scented nose followed by a dry, citrus and Tropical fruit themed palate. Nothing out of place or overdone. Touch of spice on the tangy, moderate finish. Ready to go now, in its youth. Drink 2019-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Poplar Grove Winery 2017 Pinot Gris (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $18.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.2%
Date Tasted: March 12th, 2019
Tasting Notes: A refreshing and crisp, though, somewhat light-weight Pinot Gris with a concentrated, Sauvignon Blanc-ish nose followed by a thin, short-lived palate with some nice pear and citrus fruit flavours and acidity, but not quite enough. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
