Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2012 Merlot (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $19.99
Alcohol: 14.9%
Production: 7790 cases
Date Tasted: September 30th, 2014
Tasting Notes: A beautiful, berry'n'herb infused wine from the warm 2012 vintage which should rekindle your secret, repressed flame for easy-drinking Merlot (deep-down, you know you love to drink it). Sweet blackberry, black currant, vanilla bean, wild sage, cooking spice, lavender and lemon-thyme aromas grace the approachable nose.
The palate has good continuity from the nose with more focus on the berry fruit characters whilst integrating fine contributions from barrel and bottle ageing and finishing with a mouth-watering kick of fresh berry acidity. Overall balance skews slightly hot with nearly 15% residual alcohol to try and corral, a tall task for a medium-plus bodied wine. Ready to go now and will hold for another 2-3 years. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Maverick Estate Winery 2013 Chardonnay (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $26.50
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 100 cases
Date Tasted: September 28th, 2014
Tasting Notes: A sensual, feminine Chardonnay with a lovely, perfumed nose of orange blossom, apricot, white peach, Golden Delicious apple and vanilla bean aromas. The palate is expressive and juicy with ripe orchard fruit and melon flavours galore. Mix in a touch of spice, light mineral notes, a kick of citrus acidity and the loving embrace of 5 months in 100% new French oak and you have yourself a lush, yet, refreshing Chardonnay. Drink 2013-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: September 27th, 2014
@BurrowingOwlBC
Tasting Notes: This Cabernet Sauvignon is loaded with sagey-herbal-goodness on the nose with black and red currant fruit and toasted French oak aromas playing more of a supporting role. The medium bodied palate makes the most of its cool-vintage roots, focusing more on continuing the savoury-herb theme from the nose than showcasing intense ripe fruit that isn't there. What is there is delightfully South Okanagan with spices, herbs, coffee grinds, wild berry fruit and some greenness in the tannins. Finishes with a nice kick of huckleberry acidity, keeping the palate fresh and food-friendly.
Ready to go now. A vintage to enjoy while your collection of Burrowing Owl Cabs from hotter years mature in your cellar. Drink 2014-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2011 Athene (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $38
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: September 25th, 2014
@BurrowingOwlBC
Tasting Notes: Burrowing Owl's 'other' blend, is this lovely Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon melange (55-45, respectively) that successfully combines the classic characteristics of both varieties, producing a nose that pairs pepper with cassis and cherry-cola with dusty sagebrush while warm, toasted oak and light floral aromas add a touch of sweet femininity.
The palate is full and flavourful, with a juicy, dark and red fruit entry giving way to savoury, meaty notes and finishing dry with fresh, wild berry acidity and dusty, fine tannins. A touch of bell pepper greenness lingers with the proud, spicy-pepper.
Ready to go now and will drink nicely for the next 3-4 years. Drink 2014-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Stag's Hollow Winery 2013 Viognier (East Bench Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery hereCost: $21.99Alcohol: 14.4%Production: 127 casesDate Tasted: September 23rd 2014Tasting Notes: On par with the firm's excellent 2010 edition, this is an exotic Viognier with layers of tropical fruit and loads of tangy, yeasty texture that grips both your palate and attention.
Via the subtle nose you'll breath in aromas of ripe papaya, lemon/lime and cool minerals while the concentrated palate offers good continuity and similar characters. Plump and full, upon entry, thanks to the lush, tropical fruit flavours, partial oak ageing and the 5 months the wine spent "sur-lees" post-fermentation, meaning it remained in contact with its spent yeast particles, imparting warm brioche notes and enriching the mouth feel.
Balance is maintained with juicy, ripe lemon acidity, keeping the finish mouth-watering and long with lingering spice. Delightful. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
