Fairview Cellars 2016 Mad Cap Red - 89+pts

Fairview Cellars 2016 Mad Cap Red (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Sold out at the winery but available in private wine shops
Cost: $27.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.8% (est)
Date Tasted: July 4th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Fairview's Madcap Red is a blend of (roughly) 50% Merlot and (mostly) equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from contracted vineyards in the Southern Okanagan Valley. Though an early drinking wine with approachable tannins, this blend will hold and evolve in your cellar, should you choose  to put one or two away. Older vintages make appearances in the Fairview tasting room as library releases and show well.

If you can't wait, today you'll uncork (or rather, crack open, as it's sealed with a Stelvin cap) a sensual, feminine wine with ripe'n'spicy blue fruits: plums, blueberries, blackberries and cassis. Aforementioned approachable tannins and blackberry acidity support the full bodied and nicely layered and concentrated palate where additional notes of toasted oak, anise, cardamom and mint add depth. Ready to go now or hold for another 3-4 years for further development. Drink 2019-2023.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2018 Pinot Gris - 88pts

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2018 Pinot Gris (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and private wine shops
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: July 3rd, 2019

Tasting Notes: A Pinot Gris fermented with native yeast and one that touches a lot of oak (15% in stainless steel) but mostly older barrels and casks with only a kiss of new oak intermixed in the ever-evolving élevage program. The use of native yeast yields a more 'raw' wine, with plenty of texture and character, less composed refinement from foreign yeasts (less manipulation). 

Look for classic, stone and citrus fruit notes and rustic minerality throughout. Herbs and light spice show on the long, river stone flavoured finish. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Pinot Gris - 86pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Pinot Gris - BC VQA

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $20 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.6%
Date Tasted: July 2nd, 2019

Tasting Notes: A pale, amber gold hue with pear and apple notes prominent on the mineral and lemon peel scented  nose, followed by a similar collection of flavours on the bright, mouth-watering palate. Slightly thin mid-palate where a touch of heat sneaks through the orchard fruit and the green apple and lemon-lime acidity. Spice shows on the lip-smacking finish.

A Gris for Summer and salads, or, in complete contrast, for a fireside snack of hard cheeses. Drink now-2021.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Rosé - 87pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2018 Rosé (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 9600 cases
Date Tasted: June 30th, 2019

Tasting Notes: I have yet to find another BC rosé that delivers this much value with no element out-of-place as the Quails' Gate blush. A blend of 50% Gamay, 40% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Gris with characters of each variety on offer; candied fruit'n'spices from the Gamay, earthy red fruit from the Pinot Noir and fleshy, yet, mouth-watering texture from both the Pinot Gris and Noir. Finish is a tad short but forgivable at this price-point. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Rust Wine Co. 2018 Rosé - 86pts

Rust Wine Co. 2018 Rosé (Cawston) Similkameen Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here 
Cost: $22 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 224 cases (750ml), 120 cases (Magnums)
Date Tasted: June 27th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A blush of Cawston-sourced Merlot producing classic, Summer berry aromas and flavours with cran-apple acidity and texture and a touch of tannin from the skin contact during the crush. Nothing too complex and nothing out-of-place. A fine, versatile rosé for hot decks or a spicy bag of chips. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca