Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Summit - 91-92pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Summit - BC VQA

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $54.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9 %
Date Tasted: June 9th, 2021

Tasting Notes: Be sure to give your glass of Summit time to open up and take a moment to appreciate the sensual, harmonious bouquet of blue and dark fruits, vanilla-mocha, sweet spices and graphite. A medium-plus bodied, fine-tannin palate follows with a profile shift towards highlighting more of the savoury notes than the ripe fruit, creating an Old World feel sensibility.

A proprietary blend of 51% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec and 3% Syrah sourced from the winery's vineyards in both the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. This wine has the bones to age well and keep developing. Ready to go now or hold for another 3-4 years. Drink 2021-2025.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2021 IconWines.ca 

Cassini Cellars 2016 Maximus - 91-92pts

Cassini Cellars 2016 Maximus (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Sold out. Look for the 2017 vintage direct from winery here 
Cost: $44 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 15.4%
Production: 550 cases
Date Tasted: November 15th, 2020

Tasting Notes: Both beautiful and brooding, the 2016 Maximus is now a year on from its release and still showing youthful vitality. Robust, minty Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead here, with supporting roles played by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec which add juicy, ripe, dark berry flavours and aromatic notes of incense, spa spice and a hint of cola. 14 months in 2 year old barrels (both French and American) have nicely fused the fruit and savoury elements while refining the tannins and mouthfeel to silky levels. This blend should last for many years in your cellar with some further refinement to come. Or, enjoy now with a long decant. Drink 2021-2026.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2015 Maximus - 91-92pts

Cassini Cellars 2015 Maximus (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $40 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 14.7%
Production: 550 cases
Date Tasted: November 10th, 2018

Tasting Notes: Another stellar vintage for Cassini's Maximus which sees 56% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 28% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 4% Malbec to produce a brooding wine with intense dark fruit and layers of savoury notes on the nose and palate. Look for ripe cassis and wild blackberry elements harmoniously integrated with oak spice, light menthol, All Sorts licorice, vanilla and fine, grippy tannins. Wild berry acidity keeps the long finish lively and your mouth wanting more. 

Excellent today, with plenty of decanting, but best to wait another 1-2 years for the wine to develop further. Drink 2020-2025.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Nota Bene - 91-92pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Nota Bene (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC 

Availability: Sold out at the winery, though, private wine shops have it in stock
Cost: $59.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 21st, 2018

Tasting Notes: The 2016 vintage of the iconic, single-vineyard Nota Bene sticks with the recent Cab Sauv leading recipe, though, this year the final blend is nearly an even partnership with Merlot with Cabernet Franc playing a supporting, aroma-lifting role (43.5% CS, 40% M and 14.5% CF). 

Ready earlier than recent releases, this beautiful, fruit-forward wine boasts layers of dark fruit, licorice, sage, incense, vanilla, mocha, mint, toasted oak and earthiness on the developing bouquet and the well-integrated, berry-sweetened, long-lasting palate.

Further development is coming, but you can dive into this complex wine this year and over the following decade. Drink 2019-2026+
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca