Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Gewurztraminer (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 5,900 cases
Date Tasted: May 22nd, 2019
Tasting Notes: A 'pretty' Gewurztraminer with a lovely, floral and stony pear scented nose, followed by a lean (for a Gewurz) and mouth-watering palate of Tropical and citrus fruit flavours. Dryer, in balance, than recent vintages of this wine, and slightly less textured. A hint of spice lingers on the bright finish. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Chasselas Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB Stores and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 18,300 cases
Date Tasted: May 20th, 2019
Tasting Notes: Clean, crisp and so refreshing, this blend of 60% Chasselas, 20% Pinot Blanc, and 20% Pinot Gris makes an excellent pairing for your next sun-drenched patio visit thanks to its cheerful, citrus and Asian pear scented nose and its mouth-watering, textured and lightly-spiced, stone fruit flavoured palate. Fresh salads topped with your favourite, grilled or poached seafood is the way to go, though, a tasty bag of Kettle chips is a close 2nd choice. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
SpearHead Winery 2017 Coyote Vineyard Pinot Noir (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $33 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2019
Tasting Notes: Another single-vineyard Pinot from SpearHead, this one from a site in West Kelowna planted to just one clone (115) and producing the most fruit-forward and lively Pinot of the portfolio. Savoury elements are more restricted to the oak-influence variety (spices, vanilla and oak notes themselves) with some mineral-y characters coming from the terroir. Well produced, as are all of SpearHead's Pinot, under the direction of former Quails' Gate winemaker Grant Stanley.
For a treat, order each of the winery's 5 distinct Pinot Noirs and open them all for your Pinot-loving friends and compare notes and scores. Everyone will have their favourite... will they line-up with our results?
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
SpearHead Winery 2017 Golden Retreat Vineyard Pinot Noir (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $33 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 300 cases
Date Tasted: May 15th, 2019
Tasting Notes: Certainly a Pinot to appreciate in the glass, absorbing the layered, developing bouquet, prior to taking a sip. Possibly the most aromatic of the winery's single-vineyard Pinots with both feminine and frisky characters on the brambly berry, sweet earth and fizzy-cola candy scented nose. There's good continuity between the nose and balanced, full-ish palate with similar flavours supported by playful, black raspberry acidity, savoury spices and fine, mannered tannins. Finish is long with lingering spices. Drink now-2023.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Chenin Blanc (Okanagan Valley) BC
Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $23.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.2%
Production: 3900 cases
Date Tasted: May 16th, 2019
Tasting Notes: A wonderfully crisp and refreshing wine with that telltale, unmistakable Chenin twang; a sassy blend of quince, stonefruit, lemon grass, brine and under-ripe peach. Blended with 8% Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the citrus and aromatic elements on subtle nose and the mouth-watering palate. Ready to go now. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
