Terra Andina 2012 'Rich' Malbec (Mendoza) Argentina
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $16
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: October 20th, 2013
Tasting Notes: Lives up to its name on the nose and palate with rich berry fruit and MLF characters, while warm oak and light floral notes add depth. The palate starts thick and ripe with intense, ripe berry fruit and tangy acidity that will appeal to the masses, but it lacks structure and finishes short. Should make for a tasty, affordable party wine where you might not have the need for meaty tannins and will make a good pairing for a wide variety of appetizers. Drink now-2013.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca
Xavier Vins 2010 Gigondas (Southern Rhone) France
Availability: Limited. Private wine shops
Cost: $32-36
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: December 7th, 2013
Tasting Notes: Overall, great continuity from the excellent 2009 edition is on offer here, though, the intensity on the nose and palate is simply dialled down, resulting in a paler version of the spicy garrigue, herbs cedar and dried berry fruit Gigondas blend. Masculine from beginning to end with mineral notes throughout and meaty, well-structured tannins. Should hold well for another 3-4 years.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca
SpierHead Winery 2012 Gentleman Farmer Vineyard Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 97 cases
Date Tasted: December 7th, 2013
Tasting Notes: A dark ruby-hued, single-vineyard Pinot Noir from East Kelowna's SpierHead Winery offers a crowd-pleasing blend of cherry-cola, plum and sweet'n'spicy oak aromas on the moderately intense nose. The medium-bodied, dry palate follows with similar flavours and added light earth and forest floor notes, enhancing the complexity of the otherwise, juicy, fruit-forward expression of Pinot Noir. Its moderate tannins and good acidity make it a great match for a wide variety of medium cheeses and fowl entrées like duck or roasted turkey. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca
The following wines received the 25 highest scores by IconScores.ca reviewer Liam Carrier during the calendar year of 2013. Release date was not considered with some wines sourced from the cellar and at special tasting events. For the list of our Top 25 Wines of 2013, where more than simply the tasting score is considered, please visit the main IconWines.ca site.
#1
Silverback Vineyards 2011 Reserve Syrah - 99pts
Violets, tar, cherry, licorice and citrus characters galore. Glaetzer's Amon-Ra springs to mind but with more concentration and length, if that is even conceivable. Bold, rich and absolutely gorgeous, this inky-purple Syrah is sure to become a cult classic.
Full Review
#2
Silverback Vineyards 2010 Syrah - 95pts
Pulls you into its web at first sniff with layers of dark fruit, violets, tar, licorice, vanilla, subtle allspice and vibrant citrus notes. An excellent prelude to the concentrated palate that offers superb acidity and balance with fine tannins and long-lasting, spicy dark fruit flavours that role around your mouth with youthful abandon.
Full Review
#3
Silverback Vineyards 2011 Chardonnay - 94+pts
Fans of Penfold's Yattarna Chardonnay should take note as the Silverback matches the elegance and refinement of the "white Grange" at roughly half the price. Built to age with further development a guarantee. Sky's the limit.
Full Review
#4
Silverback Vineyards 2010 Référence - 94+pts
Classic Meritage berry fruit and savoury, gun powder and Christmas cake spice flavours add complexity to the finely tuned oak treatment and proprietary yeast program that Herrold employs. Ultra fine tannins and perfect acidity levels create a wine for enjoying in its youth or for aging 15+ years.
Full Review
#5
Painted Rock Estate Winery 2010 Red Icon - 93-94pts
A seductive beast that, despite its "cool vintage" provenance, is altogether, big, brawny and supremely delicate. So well balanced and memorable - a true icon and destined to become the next must-have, collectible cult wine of BC.
Full Review
#6
Stag's Hollow Winery 2010 Cachet No. 03 - 93+pts
The nose is pure delight with loads of sweet, smoky fruit aromas and fragrant perfume notes; a truly sexy developing bouquet. The palate is fluid, medium-plus bodied, yet intense and powerful with layers of ripe plum and blackberry fruit mixed with exotic spices and savoury characters. The finish is long and balanced and beckons your continued attention.
Full Review
#7
Meyer Family Vineyards 2011 Micro Cuvée Chardonnay - 93+pts
Both intense and restrained on the baked caramelized apple nose and leesy, orchard fruit and smoky palate. Boasting excellent acidity and a long, never-ending finish with lingering mineral and citrus flavours.
Full Review
#8
Antinori 2009 Tignarello - 93pts
This blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc delivers elegance in a glass with red fruit, cedar, spice box and anise aromas and flavours. Shows great restraint in its intensity on the smooth-textured palate delivering finesse and depth without the in-your-face concentration of its over-extracted peers.
Full Review
#9
Painted Rock Estate Winery 2012 Chardonnay - 93pts
Textured and concentrated with lush tropical, juicy melon, caramel and stonefruit characters supported by a vibrant backbone of citrus acidity and a long balanced finish of tangy, green apple, tangerine and brioche flavours. Effortless compatibility of all elements.
Full Review
#10
Tolaini 2007 Valdisanti - 92-93pts
Warm rocks, toasted oak and sweet prune notes resonate from the feminine and floral nose of this supremely enjoyable and lovably complex blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc. Added potpourri, blackberry, vanilla and anise aromas make the quietly intense, developed bouquet irresistible.
Full Review
Upper Bench Estate Winery 2011 Merlot (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $29
Alcohol: 14.7%
Production: 118 cases
Date Tasted: December 4th, 2013
Tasting Notes: A very impressive Merlot produced in difficult vintage conditions thanks to a 2011 growing season that never saw the persistent heat the Bordeaux varieties crave when trying to ripen. However, the season was saved by longer, relatively mild Fall which rewarded disciplined vineyards who reduced their crop to allow the remaining fruit to properly ripen.
And ripen this Merlot did! No signs of green tannins here. Just pure, intense, balanced, dark berry fruit supported by corner-of-the-mouth curling savoury notes of dark chocolate, leather, vanilla-mocha and light baking spice. Rich, elegant and smooth with just the right amount of tannic grip on the palate. Further development likely after another 1-2 years of bottle age, though, the wine is tasting beautifully today. Drink 2013-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca
