Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2016 Oldfield Reserve Chardonnay (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $34.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 30th, 2018
@TinhornCreek
Tasting Notes: A Chardonnay that doesn't smack you in the face or beg for your attention, it opens with a subtle nose and follows that with a balanced, mannered palate, yet it lingers, building intrigue with layers of Meyer lemon, white peach, vanilla, papaya, caramel, oak and long, long-lasting, harmonious spice. Drink now-2023.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2016 Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley) BC
Availability: Direct from winery here, BCLDB and VQA stores
Cost: $23.99 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 1600 cases
Date Tasted: July 29th, 2018
@TinhornCreek
Tasting Notes: Change is afoot once again at Tinhorn Creek with regards to their Pinot Noir program. The varietal Pinot Noir release moves from a 3-year cycle to 2 with less time in barrel and bottle prior to release. To pull this off, the winery has skipped the 2015 vintage release and has moved right to this 2016 edition, a youthful, fruit-forward, medium-everything Pinot that carries its 14% alcohol effortlessly with a nice background of herbs, spice and huckleberry acidity.
Despite the release cycle change and youthful energy, this Pinot is ready to go now. Drink 2018-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Pascual Toso 2016 Malbec (Maipú District) Mendoza - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: July 27th, 2018
Tasting Notes: A little more residual sweetness in the 2016 vintage release of this budget, licorice-blueberry scented Malbec from Pascual Toso results in a touch of flabbiness on the berry'n'spice palate, though, a nice bite of tangy/bitter acai berry and pomegranate fruit on the finish aides the overall balance. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Eagle Bluff Vineyards 2016 Crooked Post Pinot Noir (McIntyre Bluff) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Contact winery directly here
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: July 27th, 2018
@FairviewCellars
Tasting Notes: The easy-to-like Fairview Crooked Post Pinot Noir offers a nice blend of brambly fruit and earthy-savoury characters, a classic combination for BC Pinot, presented with a full-ish palate and mouthfeel, finishing with a touch of citrus and spice. Ready to go now. Drink 2018-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
River Stone Estate Winery 2016 Sparkling White Merlot (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Limited. 2017 vintage available direct from winery here
Cost: $23.90 (including tax)
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 250 cases
Date Tasted: July 25th, 2018
Tasting Notes: A lovely, sparkling rosé made of Merlot grapes (with a splash of Malbec) seeing minimal skin contact creating a pale, salmon-orange hue. Produced using the Charmat method (pressurized tank) with a flinty, flirty, fruity nose of strawberry shortcake, peach pit, kiwi and light mineral aromas. The effervescent, off-dry, cream'n'fruit, palate is nicely balanced with pink grapefruit acidity and a mineral kiss, leading to a (mostly) dry finish. Very refreshing and joyful. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
JoieFarm 2016 Quotidien Brut (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Limited. 2017 vintage available direct from winery here
Cost: $24.26 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.7%
Date Tasted: July 24th, 2018
Tasting Notes: A Charmat method Brut produced from Riesling and Chardonnay grapes with persistent, fine bubbles, showcasing a nice balance between bright, under-ripe stone fruit acidity, metallic mineral notes and flavours of sweet'n'tangy citrus and tropical fruit. A dry finish starts yeasty, then transitions to a spicy-lemon drop final note. Refreshing and lively, this bubble is ready to go now. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Pascual Toso 2016 Limited Edition Malbec (Maipú District) Mendoza - Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $16.99-18.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: July 23rd, 2018
Tasting Notes: A smooth, sensual Malbec, not overly complex or deep, more of a surface beauty, but pretty, nonetheless with a bright and playful palate of juicy and mouth-watering ripe, blackberry and black cherry fruit flavours and a moderate, dry finish consisting of spice and toasted oak notes. Ready to go now. Drink through 2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Pinot Gris (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $20.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.9%
Production: 270 cases
Date Tasted: July 22nd, 2018
@drinkriverstone
Tasting Notes: A delightful Pinot Gris with a stone fruit and floral scented nose and a touch of residual sugar on the orchard-fruit driven, punchy palate where flavours of apples, pears, white peaches and minerals blend effortlessly with citrus acidity. Long finish is watery with lingering, mouth-watering citrus rind notes and a hint of spice. Yum. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Aligoté (St. David's Bench) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario
Availability: Direct from the winery here (upon release)
Cost: $15.95
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: July 18th, 2018
Tasting Notes: An aromatic and bright, near-colourless Aligoté with a lovely nose of white blossoms, apricots and stonefruit followed by a mouth-watering and refreshingly sharp palate of apples, pears, lemon/lime and ginger flavours. Lemon drop candy and a touch of spice lingers on the moderate-plus finish. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Chateau Des Charmes 2017 Riesling (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario
Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $14.95
Alcohol: 10.5%
Production: 479 cases
Date Tasted: July 17th, 2018
Tasting Notes: A lovely, nearly-colourless, subdued Riesling offering well-integrated, citrus, melon and orchard fruit on the delicate nose and the RS-kissed palate. Alcohol, overall sweetness and acid levels are (relatively) low and (most importantly) well balanced. Those looking for a bracing, in-your-face Riesling must look elsewhere. Ready to go now. Drink now-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Cabernet-Merlot (Niagara-on-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario
Availability: Direct from the winery here and select LCBO stores
Cost: $15.95
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 2000 cases
Date Tasted: July 17th, 2018
Tasting Notes: When given time in the glass to breath, this otherwise Old World-leaning blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot opens-up nicely to reveal its fruity, New World innards with ripe, blackberry and red currant aromas on the oak and nutmeg scented nose and the rustic, dry palate. Moderate, slightly bitter finish showcases some nice, lingering spice notes. Could evolve a bit with another 1-2 years of bottle age. Drink 2019-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Winemaker's Cut 2017 Sauvignon Blanc (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Details at www.winemakerscut.ca
Cost: $25 + taxes
Alcohol: 12.5%Production: 180 cases
Date Tasted: July 13th, 2018
Tasting Notes: An excellent, elegant, yet, bracing (in a happy, mouth-watering way) Sauvignon Blanc from a single-vineyard in Oliver with a pleasantly pungent and citrusy nose and a crisp, off-dry palate of apple-pear-lemon flavours that finishes long and dry with a touch of lingering mineral and spice. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Winemaker's Cut 2016 Syrah (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Details at www.winemakerscut.ca
Cost: $32 + taxes
Alcohol: 13%Production: 260 cases
Date Tasted: July 11th, 2018
Tasting Notes: A savoury, peppery Syrah with herb and bell pepper notes on the black cherry scented nose and the prickly, cherry-cola and toasted oak infused palate where layers of fresh and ancient spices linger on the finish. Needs another 6 months to settle and integrate in the bottle prior to opening. Drink 2019-2023.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Moon Curser Vineyards 2016 Syrah (Osoyoos East Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.8%
Production: 924 cases
Date Tasted: July 4th, 2018
Tasting Notes: Opening with a violet, blackberry and pepper infused nose, this Syrah/Shiraz is Okanagan meets Australia, in style, with a touch of residual sugar on the rounded, glycerol heavy palate where seemingly competing flavours of black cherry and black pepper successfully coexist. Structure is sound with good acidity and mannered tannins, sourced from the Bartsch Vineyard on the East Bench of Osoyoos.
Sealed with a Stelvin cap enclosure to preserve the fruit components through the life of the wine which could easily be 6-7 years. Drink now-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Malbec Rosé (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $22.90 (including tax)
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 358 cases
Date Tasted: July 10th, 2018
Tasting Notes: The Province's only Malbec rosé is a bright and cheerful, cherry-coral hue with youthful bouquet of sweet and savoury aromas of strawberry, raspberry, herbs and minerals. The strawberry-pomegranate flavoured palate offers a refreshing, vibrant mouthfeel with plenty of rhubarb acidity to nicely offset the off-dry level of residual sugar (10.8g/l). The finish is fairly dry and long with a lingering vein of minerality, a whisp of dried cranberry and a kiss of spice. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2017 Oldfield Reserve Rosé (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $21.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 1121 cases
Date Tasted: July 8th, 2018
Tasting Notes: This delicious, orange-salmon hued rosé is produced from Cabernet Franc grapes sourced from the winery's Diamondback Vineyard along the Black Sage Bench and showcases a gentle, yet, powerful medley of peach skin, huckleberry, newly-picked herbs and rhubard aromas and flavours. Vinified to an off-dry level of residual sugar, the overall balance is spot-on with plenty of delicate, white peach acidity to off-set the sweetness making this garden-fresh blush perfect for a hot patio. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Cassini Cellars 2015 Malbec (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Not yet released (Winter 2018). Direct from the winery here upon release
Cost: $TBA
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 70 cases
Date Tasted: July 3rd, 2018
Tasting Notes: Often only grown in the Okanagan Valley to be a complimentary component in a Bordeaux-styled blend, Cassini's inky-purple Malbec can stand alone with a profile of upfront berry fruits and impressive backend structure.
French oak influence is well integrated, supporting the plumy-blackberry scented nose and the grippy,-tannin and licorice-menthol kissed palate. Savoury spice and pipe tobacco add depth on the long finish. A scrumptious red to be sure. Awaiting a December 2018 release. Drink mid-2019-2025.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Cassini Cellars 2016 Pinot Noir (Osoyoos East Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $24 including taxes
Alcohol: 14.6%
Production: 2103 cases
Date Tasted: July 3rd, 2018
Tasting Notes: A full-ish, full-flavoured Pinot Noir that does a nice job appealing to both typicity-seeking Pinotphiles and lovers of 'bigger' reds. Cherry liqueur, vanilla bean, light spice, oak and red currant aromas grace the nose while the palate offers a vibrant mouthfeel with plenty of concentrated cherry and cassis flavours and lively, blood orange acidity. Ready to go now. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Cassini Cellars 2015 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Not yet released (Winter 2018). Direct from the winery here upon release
Cost: $TBA
Alcohol: 14.7%
Production: 117 cases
Date Tasted: July 5th, 2018
Tasting Notes: Winemaker and proprietor Adrian Cassini has a knack for producing ripe, elegant Cabernet Franc, year-to-year. The 2015 is no exception, though, in truth, it is quite exceptional. It is both true to the variety with an enchanting combination of savoury-floral and blue fruit aromas and flavours and confidently delivers the signature menthol/Eucalyptus notes of the house, or, rather, its essential Cassini-ness.
This intensely concentrated, full-bodied Franc can stand on own, or pair with a wide range of dishes, from lean, simple filets to spicy, roasted game thanks to its mouth-watering, spice-infused, long, long finish.
Only recently bottled, I'm giving this wine a ranged rating reflecting where it is today and where it will undoubtedly be in due time. Look for this excellent Cabernet Franc to become available around December. Drink mid-2019-2025.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
