SpearHead Winery 2019 White Pinot Noir - 90pts

SpearHead Winery 2019 White Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores

Cost: $25 + taxes

Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 500 cases

Date Tasted: March 13th, 2020

Tasting Notes: SpearHead knows Pinot Noir. They produce several vineyard and clone specific releases of the 'heartbreak grape' as well as a rosé and this beautiful, fleshy, Blanc de Noirs which sees the winery control the colour with limiting skin contract during the crush. Both full bodied and vibrant with white peach acidity and plumpy fruit characters of honeydew melon and papaya. Pair with a white fish dish or try it at Easter brunch with your eggs Benedict. Drink now-2022.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

SpearHead Winery 2018 White Pinot Noir - 89pts

SpearHead Winery 2018 White Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and select VQA stores

Cost: $24 + taxes

Alcohol: 13.5%

Production: 500 cases

Date Tasted: April 18th, 2019

Tasting Notes: This Blanc de Noirs shows another side of Pinot Noir, well, less a 'side', really, more like its innards; rich and unctuous, in texture, reminiscent of the clear, fleshy part of the grape and flavoured with beautiful, white peach, melon and honeycomb characters. The fullness is balanced by plenty of fresh orchard fruit acidity and just a touch of cool minerality. Pair with a white fish dish or try it at Easter brunch with your eggs Benedict. Drink now-2021.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2018 Blanc de Noirs - 89pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2018 Blanc de Noirs (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here 
Cost: $25 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: April 16th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A new-ish trend in the Okanagan Valley is the experimentation with blanc de noir wines, which are white wines made from red skinned grapes. Pressed quickly after harvest with minimal skin contact leaving a (mostly) clear, 'white' juice to the fermented. 

The Stag's Hollow version is an off-dry blend of 76% Pinot Noir and 24% Gamay Noir with medium-plus body, texture to spare and a clean, crisp finish. A flavour profile of fresh-off-the-tree peaches and hot apple crumble show on the delicate nose and the well-balanced palate. Delish! 
Drink now-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca