Stag's Hollow Winery 2017 Tragically Vidal - 89pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2017 Tragically Vidal (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $17 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: June 13th, 2019
@Stagshollow

Tasting Notes: An off-dry, delicate, delight of a Summer Sipper, Stag's Hollow's Tragically Vidal is as playful and joyous as its colourful label suggests. Look for subtle, aromatic notes of blossoms and pitted fruits; nectarines, peaches and apricots supported by a touch of herbs and some light citrus notes.

Recent vintages of this wine have included Muscat but for the 2017 edition the winery has experimented, adding Rhone varietals with a final blend of 85.2% Vidal, 11.8% Orange Muscat, 2.6% Viognier and 0.5% Marsanne heightening the lusciousness of the lychee-kissed palate. Finish is moderately long and well balanced with tingling, citrus peel and spice flavours lingering briefly. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Sterling Vineyards 2016 Vintner's Collection Merlot - 85pts

Sterling Vineyards 2016 Vintner's Collection Merlot - California State

Availability: Direct from winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $19.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 12th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A juicy, ripe Merlot with blackberry, black plum and sweet cassis aromas and flavours with nothing really out-of-sorts, yet, disappointingly structured rather Apothic-y with too much RS and too little depth and length. There are better budget Merlots out there. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Charles Smith Wines 2016 The Velvet Devil - 86pts

Charles Smith Wines 2016 The Velvet Devil - Washington State

Availability: Direct from winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 11th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Opens with a warm embrace of uber-ripe blackberry and red currant fruit on the sensual nose and the slightly off-dry, slightly bright palate. Toasted oak notes support the juicy mid-palate, but disappear on the short finish. Drink now-2021.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Monte Creek Ranch 2018 Riesling - 88pts

Monte Creek Ranch 2018 Riesling (Kamloops) - BC VQA

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from winery here
Cost: $18.49 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.7%
Date Tasted: May 11th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A white gold coloured Riesling bursting with intense citrus and green apple flavours and acidity whilst off-dry levels of residual sugar (8.9 g/l) mount an counter offensive to bring balance to The Force, though, somewhat failing short... this is not a Riesling for the faint of heart. It's an adventure, one best attempted on a hot Summer's day.

Look for layered aromas and plenty of texture from the spent yeast and an overall effervescent-ness, making one think of slightly under-ripe peaches, torn from the vine, split apart and hurriedly munched as the juice spills down your arm. 

Consider pairing with a hadr white cheese like Le Gruyere. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

On a side note: The winery's website lists the 2016 vintage of this Riesling as a new release still, so it's not clear when this new vintage will become available.

Chateau Des Charmes 2018 Cuvée D'Andrée Rosé - 86pts

Chateau Des Charmes 2018 Cuvée D'Andrée Rosé (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $16.95
Alcohol: 12.7%
Production: 508 cases
Date Tasted:  June 10th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A refreshing, Pinot Noir-based rosé with a crisp, citrus-y bitterness to the palate with mouth-watering acidity and both the flavour and texture of ripe, fleshy plums. Look for additional red berry and rhubarb aromas and flavours with a touch of herbs and honeycomb notes supporting. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca