SpearHead Winery 2018 Riesling - 88pts

SpearHead Winery 2018 Riesling (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 

Cost: $21 + taxes

Alcohol: 12%

Production: 500 cases

Date Tasted: April 30th, 2019

Tasting Notes: An off-dry Riesling bristling with fresh, citrus and green apple acidity and flavours of lemon/lime, stonefruit and slate. A touch of classic, kerosene notes grace the honeycomb, nectarine and floral scented nose. Ready to go now or hold for another 3-4 years. Drink 2019-2023+.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir - 91pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $51.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 1150 cases
Date Tasted: April 27th, 2019

Tasting Notes: More lush and concentrated than the winery's regular Pinot Noir, the Stewart Family Reserve offers the same, well-proportioned blend of BC Pinot characters, brambly berries, savoury cedar and dried herbs, but wrapped in a more elegant, silky blanket of goodness with added depth from vanilla, creamy raspberry and fresh shortbread notes. Spice and a touch of cranberry linger on the long finish. Ready to go now or enjoy over the next 4-5 years. Drink now-2024.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Pinot Noir - 90pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Pinot Noir (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.1%
Production: 3400 cases
Date Tasted: April 25th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A well-balanced Pinot Noir with classic BC-Pinot characters of equal parts; brambly berries, savoury cedar and dried herbs. Smooth on the pretty nose and the fine-tannin, wild berry acid palate. Sealed with a Stelvin cap and ready to go now. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Bodega Renacer 2017 Punta Final Malbec - 87pts

Bodega Renacer 2017 Punta Final Malbec (Mendoza) Argentina

Availability: Widely available
Cost: $15.99 (BCLDB Stores)
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: April 24th, 2019

Tasting Notes: In the category of budget Malbecs from Argentina, the Punta Final is the bad boy of the group when compared to its fruitier, cherry-berry brothers. There's a nice edge to this wine with a profile of darker fruit and charred oak, and with supporting notes of tar, spices and vanilla. That edge is a bit rough, we're not dealing with an uber-refined Malbec here, but there is true value on offer. Pair with sweet'n'spicy, BBQ pork or chicken. Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2018 Pinot Gris - 87pts

SpearHead Winery 2018 Pinot Gris (Summerland) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $20 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 1500 cases
Date Tasted: April 23rd, 2019

Tasting Notes: A change in style from previous versions of this Summerland-sourced Pinot Gris which sees more intensity in both the residual sugar and acidity, creating a balanced wine, but one that tastes more like a ruckus Riesling, than a pleasant Pinot. 

Citrus, green apple and pear fruit dominate the mineral-flavoured palate with a touch of aromatic, white blossoms on the nose. To be enjoyed in its youth. Drink now-2020.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca