Château Paloumey 2009 Cru Bourgeois (Haut-Medoc) Bordeaux - France
Availability: Limited
Cost: $30-40
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: March 30th, 2018
Tasting Notes: From the cellar. From the Haut-Medoc, the Chateau Paloumey is nearly an even split of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (51-49%) and is reaching its peak in its 9th year, opening with a mature, fully-integrated nose of spiced plum, light menthol, coffee, oak and vanilla. The palate is equally integrated and similarly flavoured with an elegant weight and feel. Finish is starting to fade with the regressing tannins. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Chateau Des Charmes 2016 Estate Bottled Gamay Noir (Niagara-On-The-Lake) Niagara Peninsula - Ontario
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $15.95
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 3010 cases
Date Tasted: March 30th, 2018
Tasting Notes: An easy-drinking, low tannin and food friendly Gamay, perfect for your next turkey or pork tenderloin roast, with aromas and flavours of spiced-up blueberries, pomegranate, black plum and sweet earth notes. Acid is pleasantly perceptible but never over-powering or bright. Finish is a bit short. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Familia Bastida 2015 Alceo (La Mancha DO) Spain
Availability: Private wine shops like Everything Wine
Cost: $15-18 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: March 28th, 2018
Tasting Notes: Not your typical "cheap Spanish Tempranillo" with a lovely, feminine nose of ripe berry fruit and complimentary, light, pipe tobacco and anise aromas. The palate is quite Californian on the entry with a front-loaded, sweet, black and red fruit followed by a wave of earthy spice, leather and American oak flavours which balance the sweetness nicely.
Needs a long decant to come together in the glass. Hold for another 2 years for further balancing between the fruit and the savoury characters. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2016 Gamay Noir (Okanagan Falls) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $22.90
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: March 22nd, 2018
Tasting Notes: A beautiful nose of potpourri, Christmas spice and wild berries opens this quaffable, Okanagan Falls Gamay. A slightly plumpy, front-loaded palate follows with rich, juicy red fruit, dried cloves and light, earthy tannins. Tart, huckleberry acidity shows on the spiced finish to (mostly) counter-balance the ripe'n'sweet elements. Ready to go now. Drink 2018-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
Sperling Vineyards 2011 Brut Reserve (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here Cost: $50 + taxes
Alcohol: 11.5%
Date Tasted: March 25th, 2018
Tasting Notes: A classic blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced from the winery's biodynamically farmed home vineyard in East Kelowna, this traditional method Brut is choke full yeasty-goodness, taut citrus fruit and fleshy McIntosh apples on the warm, cuddly nose and on the bright, grippy palate. Finish is long and effervescent. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
