Domaine Rossignol-Trapet 2014 Bourgogne (Bourgogne AOC) Burgundy - France
Availability: Private wine shops
Cost: $35 est
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: January 14th, 2019
Tasting Notes: Opens with muted nose of both fruit and savoury notes (black cherry, mineral-y earth notes, spices and vanilla) followed by a bright, refreshing palate, layered with a slightly effervescent, medium bodied texture. Blended from multiple vineyards and sites in Burgundy and thus labeled with the more generic and entry-level designation of Burgundy AOC. Ready to go now with a long-ish palate. - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Pierre Lamolte 2014 Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes De Beaune (Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes De Beaune AOC) Burgundy - France
Availability: Private wine shops
Cost: $25 est
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: January 13th, 2019
Tasting Notes: An effervescent, youthful Pinot Noir, despite its 5 years of age, with a rustic, earth'n'herbs nose and palate. A touch of tangy raspberry flavour and acidity lingers on the moderate, spice laden finish. Ready to go now. Drink 2019-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Bouchard Pere et Fils 2014 Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes De Beaune "Cuvee Les Versants" (Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes De Beaune AOC) Burgundy - France
Availability: Private wine shops
Cost: $25 est
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: January 12th, 2019
Tasting Notes: An entry-level Pinot Noir from a lesser Burgundy AOC with a fruit-to-savoury balance skewed firmly towards earthy-meaty thanks to layers of forrest floor, spice, minerals and herbs and just a touch of brambly red fruit on the nose and palate. Ready to go now. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
J. Hauller et Fils 2007 Vendanges Tardives Riesling (Alsace) France
Availability: Limited. Specialty import
Cost: N/A
Alcohol: 12.1%
Date Tasted: January 13th, 2019
Tasting Notes: From the cellar... At 12 years old, the hue of this late harvest Riesling is decidedly golden and the bouquet, though muted, is showing lovely signs of age: lanolin, beeswax and apricot pits. Off-dry, yet, mostly stonefruit driven, rather than the Mott's fruit cup appeal of other late harvest Rieslings. Unctuousness grows as the wine rests and lowers to room temperature. Finish has shortened, but, remains long. Ready to go now or hold for a further 3-4 years. Drink now.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2016 Fortified Vintage Foch (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $25.99 + taxes (375ml)
Alcohol: 18%
Production: 507 cases
Date Tasted: December 20th, 2018
Tasting Notes: On the spectrum of Port-style wines, the Quails' Gate Vintage Foch, made from select Marechal Foch grapes and then fortified with grape brandy, falls towards the fruity end of the spectrum, away from the nutty, aged Tawny Ports. Raisin-y cherries and Fig Newton cookies dominate the nose while the full-bodied, yet, fluid palate follows with flavours reminiscent of the bouquet and with added cocoa powder and blood orange notes.
Pair with a semi-sweet desert or simply a plate of dark chocolate pieces. Ready to go now or hold for another 3-4 years. Drink now-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
