Rust Wine Co. 2018 Gewurztraminer (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $23 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: June 27th, 2019
@rustwine
Tasting Notes: A rich, off-dry, unctuous Gewurztraminer with hints of both orchard and tropical fruit notes throughout and the mouthfeel of ripe, mouthwatering, fleshy peaches. A touch of spice shows on the slightly short finish. Pair with spicy, Thai or Indian cuisine and enjoy this wine in its youth. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
On a side note: Rust Wine Co is owned and operated by the Mt. Boucherie winery and shares many of the same vineyards for its wines. Pick-up a bottle of the Mt. Boucheries Gewurztraminer from the same vintage and open both for a fun comparison of how winemaking choices can produce distinct style differences with similarly farmed fruit.
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Gewurztraminer - BC VQA
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.4%
Date Tasted: June 27th, 2019
Tasting Notes: Produced with fruit sourced from both the winery's Cawston and Golden Mile Bench vineyards, this Gewurztraminer presents a crisper, dryer and leaner expression of the Alsatian grape (especially in contrast with its sister-winery release from Rust Wine Co). Here the near off-dry balance is lively and mineral-y with a slightly effervescent mouthfeel and a focus more on orchard fruits; apples, pears, apricots and peaches.
Namesake spice (gewurz) is also more present on the floral nose and the mouthwatering, citrus peel-kissed finish. Pair with a spicy fish curry or try a hard cheese platter. Ready to go now. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Rust Wine Co. 2018 Gamay (Cawston) Similkameen Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $23 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 1250 cases
Date Tasted: June 26th, 2019
Tasting Notes: A beautifully balanced Gamay with both playful and substantive characters; candied fruits, tangy citrus peel, smoky violets, velvety red fruit, caramelized onions, Christmas cake spices, mild licorice and plenty of body and texture. Should make an excellent companion to Summer social fare, especially sweet'n'smoky ribs or BBQ chicken. Enjoy this beauty in its youth. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Chateau Des Charmes 2016 St. David's Bench Vineyard Cabernet Franc (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34.95
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 486 cases
Date Tasted: June 25th, 2019
Tasting Notes: An old school, old world Cabernet Franc, somewhat austere, though not void of fruit on its potpourri and oak-scented nose and its dry, dusty tannin and iodine-kissed palate. Pair with a lean'n'mean, rare tenderloin steak to match the wine's minerality and showcase the charred, dark berry notes. Ready to go now or hold for 2-3 more years. Drink 2019-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Rust Wine Co. 2018 Chardonnay (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $21 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 625 cases
Date Tasted: June 22nd, 2019
Tasting Notes: An un-oaked, yet, rounded, well-balanced Chardonnay sourced from the winery's Okanagan Falls vineyard showing solid orchard and citrus fruit throughout with a susurrus of aromatics and offering nice tension on the palate through to a crisp finish. Ready to go now and sealed with aStelvin cap to lock-in the freshness of the fruit and acidity. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
