Stag's Hollow Winery 2010 Viognier - 90pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2010 Viognier (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $21.99
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: October 11th, 2011
Re-tasted: December 17th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A textured, rich and creamy example of the Rhone Valley varietal resulting from French oak barrel fermentation and extensive lees contact. The nose offers subtle aromas of honeycomb, green apple, river stone and vanilla bean. Followed by a dry, medium-plus bodied palate with lush orchard and tropical fruit flavours balanced nicely by abundant acidity contributed from the cool 2010 vintage. A long, tart finish with lingering oak and brioche characters sits in your mouth comfortably, reminiscent of a barrel fermented Chardonnay. Has some development potential but the synthetic cork enclosure may limit the effect of aging. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Re-tasting Notes: In its relatively short life thus far, this rich, tasty Viognier has aged beautifully filling out its tropical fruit flavour profile to include papaya and star fruit. Development may have peaked now so don't wait too much longer to open the bottle you've been saving. Truly one of the best Viognier produced in BC.

Sperling Vineyards 2010 The Market White - 87pts

Sperling Vineyards 2010 The Market White (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: VQA and select BCLDB stores
Cost: $16
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: January 28th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Billed accurately as a crowd-pleasing, easy-drinking, off-dry, mid-week sipper that combines Pinot Blanc with lesser-known aromatic varieties like Bacchus and makes a food-friendly companion when the night calls for fish or spicy fare. Not too-sweet and not too-crisp, though impressive concentration of apple, pear and peach fruit on the mild-mannered palate elevates this blend above the average entry-level sku. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Fairview Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc - 90pts

Fairview Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Sold-out. Contact winery for library release info
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: September 29th, 2009
Re-tasted: January 26th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Winemaker Bill Eggert is known for making powerful and elegant red wines at his small Oliver, BC winery. He's developed a cult following for these reds with many enthusiasts and his wines are featured in most of the top restaurants of the province. In 2007 he released his first and only white wine, a blend of mostly Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of Semillon. The 2008 vintage shows remarkably well and perhaps may induce Bill to attempt more whites, we can only hope.

This pale-straw coloured wine offers classic Sauvignon Blanc aromas of gooseberries and grapefruit with lemon grass notes. On the palate the high acid kick is mellowed by the abundance of fruit flavours: papaya, grapefruit, lemon, more gooseberries and a hint of unripened mango. The mineral notes and citrus flavours make this light-bodied wine a perfect pairing for oysters. In fact Bill refers to this wine as his "oyster wine" right on the label and he is absolutely right. Drink 2009-2015.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2009 IconWines.ca

Re-tasted Notes: The Stelvin cap enclosure has kept this wine tasting amazingly fresh for a 5 year-old Sauvignon Blanc. The colour has deepened slightly to a light hay hue while the acidic kick is still alive and well. Age has developed a tasty unctuousness that wasn't present in 2009, making the palate more complex, though, the finish has suffered a little, ending sooner, yet still lingers with mouth-watering lime rind notes.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Bodegas Resalte de Penafiel 2005 'Resalte' Crianza - 92pts

Bodegas Resalte de Penafiel 2005  'Resalte' Crianza (Ribera Del Duero DO) Spain

Availability: Limited. Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $45-50
Alcohol: 15%
Production: 5000 cases
Date Tasted: January 21st, 2013

Tasting Notes: Everything seems to fit just right in this gorgeous 100% Tempranillo wine from Spain's Ribera Del Duero region. The right amount of smoke, the right amount of spice, the right amount of red fruit and just the right amount of spicy oak is balanced effortlessly on the juicy and silky-smooth textured palate and on the seductive, cola-infused nose. Good acidity keeps your mouth refreshed while the mature, yet, grippy fine tannins structure the complex flavour profile to near perfection.

At the grand age of 8 years old this Crianza has peaked but will hold for another year or two if you aren't yet ready to take the plunge, just don't wait too long or you will miss the sweet spot. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Bartier Bros. 2011 Cerqueira Vineyard Semillon - 86pts

Bartier Bros. 2011 Cerqueira Vineyard Semillon (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Select BCLDB stores
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 11.8%
Date Tasted: January 21st, 2013

Tasting Notes: A fresh and vibrant Semillon produced with zero oak contact and fermented using only wild yeast resulting in an honest and uncomplicated wine to pair with tangy or lush seafood dishes. Finishes a bit short after a tart, though, pleasing palate of honeydew, minerals, pear, lime rind and figs. Drink now-2014.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca