Viña Montes 2007 Montes Folly - 93pts

Viña Montes 2007 Montes Folly (Alpalta Valley) Colchagua Valley - Chile

Availability: BCLDB Signature and private wine stores
Cost: $86.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: The expressive nose and silky palate present rich blackberry and blueberry fruit notes that are complimented with elegant toasted oak and warm earth characters. Extremely well balanced with solid structure from refined, developed tannins. Produced from 17-18 year old vines that are really producing some amazing fruit. Aged in French oak for 18 months with a further 12 months+ of bottle aging prior to release.

The acid is up and the richness on the palate is down when compared to the utterly stunning 2006 release, yet the wine remains the champion of all South American Syrah and the wine to gauge against. Drinking beautifully now with a cellar worthy track record that should keep this wine a fixture in your collection for another 8-10 years. Drink 2012-2020+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Geo Wines 2009 Chono Syrah Reserva - 88+pts

Geo Wines 2009 Chono Syrah Reserva (Elqui Valley) Chile

Availability: Limited. Private wine stores or special order
Cost: $18
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: There's an impressive amount of elegance and diversity packed into this under $20 Syrah from Geo Wines. Produced in the Elqui Valley, one of Chile's most northern and driest wine regions, this savoury, terroir expressing Syrah offers a gorgeous palate of oak spice, minerals, smoked meats, leather and dark, brooding fruit. Has the tannins and acid to keep another 4+ years and may develop further, but don't let that keep you from enjoying it right way. Drink 2012-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Tawse Winery 2009 Sketches of Niagara Riesling - 90pts

Tawse Winery 2009 Sketches of Niagara Riesling (Niagara Peninsula) Ontario

Availability: Limited. Look for 2010 release
Cost: $17.95
Alcohol: 10%
Date Tasted: February 29th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A beautifully simplistic and exquisitely well balanced Riesling that shows like a fine, off-dry German export with a nice bite of acid to off-set the opulent lemon/lime and asian pear sweetness. Has great appeal for spicy food pairing. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2009 Cabernet Franc - 91pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2009 Cabernet Franc (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $33
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: February 29th, 2012

Tasting Notes: The always appreciated Franc Funk is back in the 2009 vintage release of Burrowing Owl's single varietal release. The funk adds complexity and charm to the already very pleasing nose of super ripe mixed berries and licorice - a nose that I could sniff all day long. Concentrated red fruit, sweet oak and mild, persistent spice follows on the elegant palate with well balanced levels of tannin and acid. The finish lingers lovingly in your mouth. Delicious and ready to be enjoyed now. Drink 2012-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Oyster Bay Wines 2010 Sauvignon Blanc - 87pts

Oyster Bay Wines 2010 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) New Zealand

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB and private stores
Cost: $17-20
Alcohol: 13.3%
Date Tasted: February 26th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with loads of gooseberry, green apple, sweet grass and lemon drop aromas and flavours without pungent cat's pee notes. Dry, with a touch of residual sugar to offset the mouth watering acid. Light oily texture adds body to the mouth feel. Refreshing tartness and lemon linger on the moderate finish. A tasty, crisp treat. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca