River Stone Estate Winery 2019 Corner Stone - 92pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2019 Corner Stone (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $46.90

Alcohol: 13.8%

Date Tasted: July 28th, 2023

@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: At four years of age this Bordeaux-style blend is coming into its own with developing aromas of dark fruit, licorice, menthol and smooth spices creating a lovely, masculine bouquet worth the time spent on enjoying it. The palate offers a similar flavour profile but comes across as still youthful and untamed, needing more time in your cellar or, at minimum, a very long decant before serving. Best to wait, if you can. Drink 2025-2029.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2023 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Corner Stone - 90-91pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2017 Corner Stone (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $38.90

Alcohol: 14.1%

Date Tasted: September 22nd, 2020

@drinkriverstone

Tasting Notes: A sensual, rounded and generous, Right Bank inspired blend (Merlot leading with lesser amounts of the remaining 4 Bordeaux reds) oozing with ripe, red and dark fruit, lightly toasted oak, warm vanilla mocha and aromatic spices on the feminine nose and maturing, toasty-tannin palate. Already approachable at 3 years of age, has the bones to age gracefully with some further development, if you're patient. Drink 2021-2026.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2016 Corner Stone - 91+pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2016 Corner Stone (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $36.89

Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: August 18th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A Right Bank inspired composition of 42% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot showcases Oliver-grown fruit in a beautiful way with a harmonious blend of ripe, dark fruit, minty-goodness, light oak, vanilla, savoury herbs and feminine notes of flowers and incense. Mannered, berry acidity lingers with the herbs and light spice on the finish with just a hint of blood orange citrus. Ready to go now, but library releases of older vintages have shown this wine to develop as it matures. Just don't wait too long. Drink 2019-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2014 Corner Stone - 89-90pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2014 Corner Stone (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $35

Alcohol: 14.3%

Date Tasted: September 17th, 2018

Tasting Notes: An incense, minty-licorice and dark berry puree scented blend of 27% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Malbec and 8% Petit Verdot grapes all sourced from the winery's estate in Oliver or from nearby vineyards. The dry palate that follows is lively with plenty of mouth-watering, yet, delicate red berry acidity, a nice ratio of red fruit to spicy-oak flavours and fine, moderate tannins. 

Ready to go now or for best results, wait another 1-2 years for the onset of mature graphite notes to appear. Drink 2020-2024.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2013 Corner Stone - 90pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2013 Corner Stone (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $28.50

Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: October 14th, 2017

Tasting Notes: A Merlot based, single-vineyard blend from Oliver's family-run River Stone Winery, already beautifully aged 4 years at the writing of this review. Showing shines of maturity with hints of pencil shavings and mint notes peaking through the dark berry and herby-oak aromas, this blend of 47% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot is uber food-friendly with lively berry acidity, light, dusty tannins and lingering spice on the long finish. Drink now-2020.

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2012 Corner Stone - 90-91pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2012 Corner Stone (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $28.50
Alcohol: 14.1%
Date Tasted: October 15th, 2015

Tasting Notes: The 2012 make-up of River Stone's flagship blend is comprised of 57% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec and opens with a gorgeous, complex nose of ripe, dark berry and plum fruit aromas and layers of spice, licorice, toasted oak, dried herbs and mild mint. The medium-plus bodied palate that follows offers good continuity with a similar profile of flavours supported by fully ripened, dusty tannins and refreshing, field berry acidity. Ready to go now with mid-range ageing potential offering some development potential. Drink 2015-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2011 Corner Stone - 89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2011 Corner Stone (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $28.50
Alcohol: 12.1%
Date Tasted: May 23rd, 2014

Tasting Notes: A blend of 53% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Malbec which opens with lovely, deep aromas of blueberry, blackberry and cherry fruit with light, smoky, charred-oak notes and hints of dried herbs on the nose. Certainly, a refreshing Meritage with mouth-watering acidity, mannered tannins and lots of wild berry fruit supported by oak, sage brush and spice box flavours on the palate. Ready to go now with mid-range ageing potential. Drink 2014-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

River Stone Estate Winery 2010 Corner Stone - 90pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2010 Corner Stone (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $28.50
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 415 cases
Date Tasted: May 17th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Round, ripe and robust, this blend of 59% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Cabernet Franc offers mixed berry fruit, spicy licorice and light mint aromas enhanced by mild oak and sweet aromatic notes on the soothing and pleasant nose. The refreshing palate follows with mouth-watering acidity, mannered tannins and lots of intense berry fruit supported by oak, sage brush and spice box flavours. Lots to like here with good complexity, balance and ripeness though, a touch of green pepper creeps onto the dry palate. Drink 2013-2017.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca