JoieFarm 2015 "En Famille" Reserve Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $39.90
Alcohol: 13.2%
Production: 437 cases
Date Tasted: October 30th, 2017
Tasting Notes: Opens with a generous nose of raspberry, potpourri and sweet spices followed by a bright, dry palate of raspberry flesh and seed flavours with savoury tidbits of smoky pepper and cocoa notes adding depth. Fine, light tannins and mouth-watering acidity make this Pinot a friend to beef stews and game dishes. Enjoy today or over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2017-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Liber Farm and Winery 2016 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon (Okanagan Valley) BC
Availability: Sold out. Details here
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 120 cases
Date Tasted: October 30th, 2017
Tasting Notes: Familial white Bordeaux varietals, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, sourced from the Okanagan Valley, are blended to produce a well-balanced, vivacious wine with both crisp and rounded characters on the melon, raw honey and seashell infused nose and the slightly off-dry, fleshy-pear and vibrant-citrus dominant palate. Quite delightful and very refreshing. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Lunessence Winery and Vineyard 2015 Crescendo (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $28
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 550 cases
Date Tasted: October 29th, 2017
Tasting Notes: A well-balanced, New World Meritage-styled wine combining Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec (percentages withheld) sourced from the Southern Okanagan. Opens with refined blue fruit, vanilla and light coffee grind aromas on the nose followed by similar flavours on the smooth, fine tannin palate with an added kick of boysenberry acidity and peppery spice that leads to a long finish. Drink now or hold for some further development over the next 3-4 years. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Liber Farm and Winery 2016 Rosé (Similkameen Valley) BC
Availability: Sold out. Details here
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: October 27th, 2017
Tasting Notes: A salmon orange-hued, Provence-styled rosé produced from 100% Similkameen Merlot grapes, offering a pleasant, floral-scented nose with fresh cranberry, melon and strawberry aromas. Palate is crisp with a touch of initial, berry sweetness which is quickly flooded with citrus rind and rhubarb acidity, light herb notes and strawberry-citrus flavours. A food-friendly rosé with a dry finish. Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Syrah (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA storesCost: $25.99 + taxesAlcohol: 14%Date Tasted: October 27th, 2017Tasting Notes: Both aromatic and dark, fruity and smoky, smooth and rustic. Goddess Dichotomy! I have found thy drink!
These contrasting, juxtaposed, sometimes competing characters won't work for everyone (personally, I'm on the fence). Those that like a challenge will take pleasure in deconstructing the floral/cassis/toasted pepper nose and the plumy/minty/Middle Eastern Bazaar palate. While others will simply marvel, as I do, that so many aromas and flavours can be crammed into one wine. This may be the most memorable wine you taste all year. But will you enjoy it? Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
