Monte Creek Ranch 2017 Chardonnay - BC VQA
Availability: Not yet released. Direct from winery here
Cost: $17.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Production: 645 cases
Date Tasted: May 11th, 2019
Tasting Notes: Though based in Kamloops, Monte Creek Ranch's Chardonnay is produced with fruit sourced from two Okanagan Valley sites, one on the Naramata Bench and the other near McIntyre Bluff. The style is big and bold and will appeal to those who love some texture and oak influence in their Chardonnay. Nose is fantastically oaky and charged with MLF aromas (those love'em or hate'em, buttery popcorn notes) and lively, Tropical fruit. Finish is a bit short for such a flavourful wine but the balance is solid for this price-point. Enjoy this Chardonnay in its youth. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Tinto Negro 2017 Malbec (Lujan de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina
Availability: Private wine stores
Cost: $14.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 7th, 2019
Tasting Notes: A well-priced, entry-level Malbec, (mostly) dry with a rich and round demeanor, both 'juicy' and 'dark' with some pleasant red and black fruit notes, savoury spices and a touch of chocolate-vanilla. A little sharp on the concentrated, tannin-free, mouth-watering finish. Pair with BBQ sauce-drenched chicken wings. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Kaiken 2015 Ultra Malbec (Lujan de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina
Availability: Private wine stores like Everything Wine
Cost: $30-32 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: May 6th, 2019
Tasting Notes: A dense and dark Malbec, very 'broody' on both the licorice'n'cassis scented nose and the ultra-concentrated palate where flavours of black plums, blackberries, wild herbs and plenty of spice are supported nicely by dusty, fine tannins and wild-berry acidity. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Trivento 2017 Reserve Malbec (Mendoza) Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $14.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: May 2nd, 2019
Tasting Notes: Has a touch of candied fruit and fruit cake notes, a la Beaujolais, on the otherwise, perfume-y, spiced nose. More feminine in style for the 2017 vintage and, overall, better balanced between its spice, blue fruit and lightly smoked tannin characters. Ready to go now. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Bodega Norton 2018 Barrel Select Malbec (Luján de Cuyo) Mendoza - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $14.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 1st, 2019
Tasting Notes: Though lacking concentration and a tad watery, this is an accessible, straight-forward and (thankfully) dry Malbec with a pleasing blend of berry fruit, sweet florals and layers of savoury spice and oak notes throughout. A touch of iron on the finish and low-ish tannins make this a nice pairing for leaner cuts of beef like filet mignon. Drink now-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
