Fairview Cellars 2007 Cabernet Franc - 89-90pts

Fairview Cellars 2007 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Select private stores like Everything Wine
Cost: $25-30
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: November 3rd, 2010

Tasting Notes: When Cabernet Franc is able to fully ripen, as it does in the Fairview Cellars home vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench, it can be one of the most unique red wine drinking experiences around. The best word to describe a great BC Cabernet Franc is "funky". There's a blue cheese-like twang to the nose and palate that inspires a quizzical thought "is it off or divine?" What a refreshing change from the standard, go-to, Cab Sauv/Merlot reds that so many folks buy.

The first stop to Cab Francoville is appreciating the aromatic qualities of the nose. No Viognier needed here - take that Syrah! The Fairview offering has intense perfume notes with both dark and red berry aromas and that tell-tale cheesy-funk.

The last stop on the Cab Francenbus Express is to appreciate the intensity of the palate despite the absence of massive tannins. This Fairview wine has aged beautifully and will continue to develop further over the next two years. The medium-intense, ripe tannins are well integrated with the prominent dark berry and earthy flavours. A balanced, long finish completes the experience. Drink 2011-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright Icon Wines 2010

Meyer Family Vineyards 2007 Tribute Series Chardonnay - 89+pts

Meyer Family Vineyards 2007 Tribute Series Chardonnay (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here. VQA stores
Cost: $35
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 399 cases
Date Tasted: November 1st, 2010

Tasting Notes: With three years of aging, the 2007 vintage Chardonnay has developed a lovely golden hue and bouquet of caramel apple, Bosc pear, vanilla fudge, smoke and clove spice. The palate has evolved nicely as well, but feels a bit chunky. Intense flavours of orchard fruit, savoury toasted oak, toffee and cloves sit well in the mouth with a green apple tartness of high-minus acidity adding a nice kick.

A full-bodied Chardonnay to be sure with a balanced, long finish. Certainly a quality wine that can be enjoyed on its own. Still developing with another 3-4 years left before it peaks but is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2010-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2009 Ehrenfelser - 88pts

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2009 Ehrenfelser (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Winery direct and select VQA stores
Cost: $18.99
Alcohol: 13.8%
Date Tasted: September 25th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Ehrenfelser is a cross of Riesling and Sylvaner and performs very well in the cooler parts of the Okanagan Valley. So well, in fact, that I'm surprised we don't see more of it. Cedar Creek's is the best of the bunch year-in, year-out. Perhaps due to the way they meticulously manage the vineyard or perhaps the vineyard site itself. Whatever the case, it's a fantastic wine, perfect for hot summer days and which easily sells out each year. My tip for the next vintage is to go into your local VQA store and ask for it at the counter rather than search the shelves. It sells so fast that some stores don't bother to stock it out front.

If you do get your hands on some you'll get a lovely aromatic wine with perfume, cooking spice, citrus and mineral aromas on the intense nose. The ever-so-slightly off-dry palate offers refreshing acidity and good continuity of flavours from the nose. Excellent balance with a long-ish finish. Drink this wine in its youth. Drink 2010-2012.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Viñas Centenarias 2006 Sabor Real Tempranillo - 89pts

Viñas Centenarias 2006 Sabor Real Tempranillo (Toro) Spain

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB and LCBO stores
Cost: $14-16
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: September 25th, 2010

Tasting Notes: A raw, unfiltered, unbridled and meaty wine from the Toro DO region of Spain. This 100% Tempranillo wine may turn out to be the best valued bargain of the year with a rustic bouquet of dark cherry, minerality, dried fruits and loads of toasted oak and earthy notes.

The dry palate has intense red fruit and hearty oak flavours with good acidity and medium tannins. The texture is thick and substantial, but not overly weighted. A long, balanced finish with lingering oak spice completes the experience. As this wine is already 4 years old, it has some lovely, developed characters already and is ready to enjoy now. Drink 2010-2011.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Stone Paddock 2008 Chardonnay - 87pts

Stone Paddock 2008 Chardonnay (Hawkes Bay) New Zealand

Availability: Limited. Spec order in BC and Ont
Cost: $13-17
Alcohol: 13%
Production: 949 cases
Date Tasted: August 26th, 2010

Tasting Notes: "Hey, how about a Chardonnay tonight?" "Sounds good. From where?" "New Zealand." (a long pause with empty sounds of crickets and a faint cough) "New Zealand makes Chardonnay?"

Yes they do, and it can very good! The points for this wine won't turn heads, but the value should. Plus, Chardonnay lovers will enjoy discovering a new and unique region producing world class Chardonnay. The Stone Paddock offering is an entry-level wine for sure but does give a hint of greater things to come. Key points to this wine are the prominent stone fruit and mineral characters with orchard fruits, MLF notes and a very restraint, but apparent, use of oak. A touch of residual sugar on the juicy-textured palate. A lovely Chard for mid-week sipping. Drink 2010-2012.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010