Chateau Des Charmes 2012 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (Niagara-on-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $14.95
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 3000 cases
Date Tasted: April 7th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Deceptively complex on the nose beyond the initial intense wave of blackberry purée and vanilla coke aromas with lovely notes of smoked meats, herbs, cashews and cedar shavings in the background. Palate is not as layered, delivering straight-forward, bright dark fruit flavours and savoury notes like leather, graphite and oak. Balance sways a tad sharp, though, firm tannins form a sound structure and keep this Cab grilled-meats friendly. Great value for money. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Stag's Hollow Winery 2011 Renaissance Merlot (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here, VQA stores
Cost: $30Alcohol: 14%Date Tasted: April 6th, 2014Tasting Notes: Fresh herbs blend seamlessly with the classic dark fruit and mocha aromas on the nose of this beautiful Merlot from Stag's Hollow signalling its provenance: 100% estate sourced fruit from Okanagan Falls. This reserve-tier wine enjoyed a 15 month sleep in 100% new American oak, ushering a feminine, Allspice bouquet and good continuity through to the dry palate where the oak treatment is most welcomed; contributing fine tannins and lingering spices on the long finish.
As with most of the Renaissance Merlot releases, this one has been blended with 3% Cabernet Sauvignon to help add structure and increase its ageing potential. Drinking well now, but to maximize your investment I recommend waiting another 2 years, if you have the patience. Drink 2016-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Stag's Hollow Winery 2013 Riesling (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $20
Alcohol: 11.5%
Production: 380 cases
Date Tasted: April 1st, 2014
Tasting Notes: This is a single vineyard Riesling sourced from the Osoyoos area which focuses on the juxtaposition of its sweet and acidic characters by way of contrasting ripe orchard and tart citrus fruit flavours and aromas.
The nose boasts lively apricot, white peach, lime peel and orange blossom notes while the off-dry palate preens with honeyed citrus fruit flavours off-set by mouth-watering green apple acidity through to a moderate finish.
This is a BC Riesling with a great shot at ageing gracefully thanks to Botrytis affected fruit at harvest time. Look for nectarine-like aromas and flavours to appear over time, though, if you can't wait, its drinking beautifully now. Drink now-2018+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Black Cloud 2011 Altostratus Pinot Noir (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Private wine shops or direct from the winery here
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 13.2%
Production: 101 cases (750ml), 52 magnum bottles
Date Tasted: April 1st, 2014
Tasting Notes: Produced by current Township 7 winemaker Bradley Cooper, the 'Altostratus' is the high-end Pinot of a duo of wines produced by his micro-label side project, Black Cloud. Where its younger sister is 'subtle', the Altostratus is 'supple' with a lush, harmonious expression of BC Pinot Noir that combines a sweet-scented, joyous nose of ripe red fruit, pot-pourri and spice aromas with a well-balanced, red fruit'n'earth palate structured by fine tannins and fresh, alpine berry acidity.
Give this beauty another year in the bottle for further integration. Drink 2015-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
Black Cloud 2012 Fleuvage Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Private wine shops or direct from the winery here
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 12.6%
Production: 98 cases
Date Tasted: April 1st, 2014
Tasting Notes: The 'Fleuvage' could be considered the younger sister, or perhaps, the understudy, to Black Cloud's showcase Pinot Noir 'Altostratus'. Lighter, unassuming and even innocent, one could say. The analogy certainly applies to the light-bodied palate where subtle, huckleberry, truffle and cedar flavours would be drowned-out by the 'louder' Altostratus in direct comparison, but when enjoyed on its own, makes for a pleasant, modest expression of Pinot Noir.
The quaff-able nose, too, is quite light with classic Pinot Noir aromas of red fruit and forest floor. Overall, the wine represents its terroir admirably; a youthful vineyard along the Naramata Bench. Enjoy the Fleuvage as you wait for your Altostratus to mature. Drink now-2015.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
