Monthly Picks for October '22

In Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving in October. For the US, it's November. The origins too, are different, but the modern-day traditional meal and cultural experience are quite similar: family, friends and food. Our Monthly Picks list for October is focused on perfect pairings for the ultimate Thanksgiving meal, no matter when you celebrate it.

With Turkey

SpearHead Winery 2021 Pinot Noir Rosé - $25

A rich and opulent rosé made from Pinot Noir grapes, opening with a peachy-strawberry scented nose followed by a refreshing, yet, plump palate of similar flavours, additional mineraly, grapefruit notes and enough cranberry acidity to keep the finish light and crisp. Just about everything you want from a BC blush. 

Full Review

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Pinot Noir - $37

An unrefined, opaque Pinot Noir with subtle layers of cherry, wild sage and sweet herbs on the compelling, earthy nose. The juicy palate offers more prominent fruit with flavours of black raspberries, plums and black cherries supported nicely by the presence of  lightly toasted oak. A touch more acid would do wonders to the overall balance, but there's plenty to enjoy, on its own or paired with Thanksgiving turkey.

Full Review

With Ham

La Frenz Winery 2021 Sémillon - $23

Look for aromas and flavours of grapefruit, honeydew, kiwi, mango skin, lemongrass, and Asian pear on the fragrant nose and the mouth-watering, yet, oily palate of this Naramata Bench sourced Sémillon. Ready to go now of hold for the potential of further evolution. 

Full Review

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Riesling - $26

A vibrant and well-balanced Riesling with an expressive nose of pineapple, nectarine and unpasteurized honey aromas followed by an off-dry, yet, dry-finishing palate with similar fruit flavours and additional notes of tangy peach, lemon-lime and a hint of ginger. A refreshing wine to be served on its own or as a nice counter-balance to hard, white cheeses like Gruyère. 

Full Review

Monthly Picks for September '22

For September we're showcasing some recently reviewed "Big Reds". "What makes a red wine 'big'?" you might ask. Well, let's discuss that...

Generally, a big red has at least 3 of the following:

- Robust tannins (whether earned or otherwise, but hopefully earned)

- Depth of flavour (think, layers upon layers)

- Extraction (a density and or intensity, preferably due to traditional methods like starting with ripe fruit or bleeding or elévage and not due to technology)

- A hefty price tag (comes with the territory - only you can imply value, or lack thereof)

Gold Hill Winery 2018 Merlot (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - $43

A big Merlot with a beautiful, intense nose of ripe, mixed-berries and rich, savoury notes offering impressive depth and opulence. The intensity continues on the plump, high-alcohol palate, though, the luscious layers of plum, black cherry, mocha, toasted oak and cigar box keep the balance in check and the finish tasting smooth where refined tannins and a touch of spice linger.

Full Review

Gold Hill Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - $43

Already peaking at 5 years of age, this is a refined, yet, intense Cabernet Franc with an expressive nose of crushed blossoms, violets, vanilla and lots of brambly fruit. Smooth on the palate, this medium-tannin wine from the newly designated Golden Mile Slope region of the Southern Okanagan offers layers of ripe, verging-on-pruny fruit and elegant, savoury flavours without ever feeling heavy or over extracted.

Full Review

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Merlot - $32

The Burrowing Owl Merlot is back to its intense, yet, elegant self with the newly released 2020 vintage which elevates the label's rich'n'racy style to more familiar heights. Always a beautiful blend of blackened berries, licorice-spiced oak and punchy acidity, the 2020 offers more depth and length on the palate and finish with added notes of eucalyptus, cooking spice and iron.

Full Review

Uko Select Vineyards 2018 Riserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) Argentina - $18

An under $20 Cabernet Sauvignon with this much depth and balance should not be possible, but the Uko Select Vineyards brand makes it happen, year-to-year. What the wine lacks in refinement, it makes up for in character and intensity without resorting to tons of added sugar for a faux-richness like too many Cabernet of the same price range from California. The Uko is dense and intense without feeling over-extracted or heavy.

Full Review

Monthly Picks for July '22

 For July we are showcasing a few new releases from Naramata Bench's iconic winery La Frenz.

La Frenz Winery 2021 Chardonnay - $24

Always a crowd-pleaser, except for only the most fervent of the ABC militia, the 2021 La Frenz Chardonnay holds to the winery's "Peaches and Cream" style delivery comfort food in-a-glass. There's a bit more (and very welcomed) stone fruit acidity on the well balanced and approachable palate with juicy, fruit-cup characters throughout and a nice combination of bright, orchard fruit and creamy, baked pear flavours on the satisfying finish. Drink now-2025.

Full Review

La Frenz Winery 2021 Sémillon - $23

Look for aromas and flavours of grapefruit, honeydew, kiwi, mango skin, lemongrass, and Asian pear on the fragrant nose and the mouth-watering, yet, oily palate of this Naramata Bench sourced Sémillon. Ready to go now of hold for the potential of further evolution. Drink 2022-2026.

Full Review

La Frenz Winery 2021 Alexandria - $23

An off-dry, rich blend of 50% Muscat and 50% Schonburger sourced from the winery's Naramata Bench vineyards. Uber-ripe and creamy on the exotic fruit and melon scented nose with a touch of candied fruit on the well balanced palate which offers relief from the residual sugar by way of a refreshing wave of fresh peach acidity. Enjoy on a sunny patio with friends (and be prepared to open a 2nd bottle). Drink now-2024.

Full Review

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Monthly Picks for June '22

With Summer around the corner and Spring cleaning wrapping-up, our patios and decks are getting ready to be occupied once more. It's rosé season! This month's picks are dedicated to the many fine blush wines produced in BC and already on the market waiting to be taken home to the sunny, outdoor space of your choosing.

SpearHead Winery 2021 Pinot Noir Rosé (Okanagan Valley) BC - $25

A rich and opulent rosé made from Pinot Noir grapes, opening with a peachy-strawberry scented nose followed by a refreshing, yet, plump palate of similar flavours, additional mineraly, grapefruit notes and enough cranberry acidity to keep the finish light and crisp. Just about everything you want from a BC blush. Drink now-2024.

Full Review

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2020 Lucy's Block Rosé (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC - $30

Quails' Gate's premium blush, Lucy's Block, is a subtle and mineraly rosé which gets its light salmon colour from brief skin contact of its Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes (a 70-30% split, respectively) sourced from the winery's East Kelowna vineyard. Though delicate and pretty, this is a very refreshing rosé with layers of rose water, fresh red fruit, steel and lime zest aromas and flavours and impressively low alcohol. Drink now-2023.

Full Review

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2022 IconWines.ca

Monthly Picks for May '22

We're bringing back our Monthly Picks series to highlight different themes or regions of recently tasted/reviewed wines. Availability notes are listed in the details of the reviews.

For May '22 we are highlighting refreshing white wines for Spring.

SpearHead Winery 2021 White Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley) BC - $28

This white is an absolute gem; rich, refreshing and unique. Made from the winery's signature grape, Pinot Noir, this beautiful, fleshy, Blanc de Noirs can attribute its lack of colour to the limiting of skin contract during the crush. Both full bodied and vibrant with white peach acidity and unctuous fruit characters of honeydew melon and papaya. Pair with a white fish dish or try it at a Mother's Day brunch with your eggs Benedict. Drink now-2022.

Full Review

Stoneboat Vineyards 2020 Pinot Gris (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC - $20

A delicious, effervescent and lively Pinot Gris with the pleasing flavour of sweet, fresh peaches nicely contrasting the refreshing minerality on the (slightly) off-dry palate. Finishes with crisp citrus notes making it a perfect companion to seafood dishes. Drink now-2023.

Full Review

Spier 2020 Signature Chenin Blanc (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa - $15

A crisp, clean and straight-forward Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape with a touch of RS on the refreshing, citrus and exotic fruit flavoured palate and with a generous nose of honeydew melon, Golden Delicious apple, peach pit and macadamia nut aromas. Ready to go now. Drink now-2023.

Full Review

Monthly Picks: December '15 - Happy Holidays

"Which wine should I take to Christmas dinner?" "What pairs with turkey or ham?" You may find yourself asking these questions whether you celebrate Christmas on the 24th or 25th or whether you're hosting a similarly festive event during the holiday season. Below are suggestions to help you answer these questions with Canadian wine selections.

Paired with... 

...pre-dinner snacks
Something lively and crisp is needed here to wake-up those taste-buds and get them ready for the forthcoming dinnerpolooza.

SpierHead Winery 2014 Riesling - $19
This Riesling will wake-up your senses with loads of lemon-lime and mineral characters on the fresh and vibrant nose and the bright and (slightly) effervescent palate. Look for layers of honey dew, herbs and pear. Clean, crisp, terroir-driven Riesling.
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Road 13 Vineyards 2014 Old Vines Chenin Blanc - $27
This Chenin Blanc offers delicate and complex aromas of kiwi fruit, minerals, apricot, lime, ripe peach and raw honey on the subtle nose. The palate is concentrated and full-ish with body and texture from 6.5g/l of residual sugar and succulent, tropical fruit flavours.
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...turkey (white meat)
For the white meat, go for a barrel fermented, single-varietal or blended white wine. Something with character, but not too much.

Cellar Hand 2014 Free Run White - $16
The nose offers ripe, delicate aromas of tropical and orchard fruit, most notably: pineapple, mango, apricot and nectarine. The medium-bodied palate follows with similar fruit flavours and added citrus notes and acidity.
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Le Vieux Pin 2013 Ava - $35
A Southern Rhone-inspired blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne (50-41-9%, respectively), that welcomes your appreciation with exotic tropical fruit, juicy white peach and crisp lemon characters on the delicate, floral-infused nose and on the rich, long-lasting palate where added layers of minerals, spice and lime rind await.
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...turkey (dark meat)
I love Gamay Noir with the dark turkey meat. A subtle and medium-bodied Pinot Noir is a good substitute.

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2014 Gamay Noir - $23
The medium-plus bodied palate is Beaujolaise-Village-ish with a good balance of texture between bright, red fruit and fleshy-tangy flavours, finishing long with lingering wild berry acidity and spice.
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Stag's Hollow Winery 2014 Renaissance Grenache - $40
Owns a rich and bright palate with excellent length and continuity from the nose and just the faintest hint of residual sugar. Fine, smoky tannins and huckleberry acidity frame the ripe, juicy, red fruit and funky, savoury flavours. Christmas cake candied fruit and spices linger on the long finish.
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...ham
For the Christmas-Ham folks out there I suggest a slightly off-dry white with orchard fruit flavours to match the apple/honey glaze.

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2014 Chardonnay - $17
Stonefruit, pineapple and light spice grace the muted, cool nose of this Chardonnay from the Southern Okanagan Valley. The palate is juicy and generous, yet, grounded with mineral and citrus flavours, finishing crisp with lingering lemon zest and vanilla spice.
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JoieFarm 2012 "En Famille" Reserve Gewurztraminer - $28
Classic lychee, raw honey and floral characters, dialled-up to '11', on the uber crowd-pleasing, tropical fruit-infused nose and on the lip-smacking, off-dry, juicy palate where generous citrus acidity keeps the long, spicy finish clean and balanced.
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...roast beef
For the roast-lovers I recommend making a splash and introducing your family and friends to the joys of BC Cabernet Franc.

Cassini Cellars 2012 Maximus - $34
A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, opening with a seductive nose of black licorice, cassis liqueur, blackberry jam, toasted oak, tobacco leaf, peppercorn and vanilla aromas. The full-bodied and full-flavoured palate follows with similar flavours and silky-smooth tannins, finishing very long with well-balanced, lip-smacking acidity and lingering cassis liqueur, sweet oak and spice notes.
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Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2012 Athene - $38
The "Athene" is Burrowing Owl's vivacious Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon blend (53%-47% respectively) that takes full advantage of the warm 2012 vintage, delivering ripe, dark fruit and intense, savoury herb characters on the charming nose and the complex, well-structured, mouth-watering palate.
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 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Monthly Picks: November'15 - BC Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is a red grape that, along with Syrah, may prove to be known as BC's signature grapes in the near future. Producers are discovering that when properly ripened, the Cabernet Franc grape can produce charming and unique wines on its own without the need of blending (or much blending).Here are a few of our favourites from the past two vintages.

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2013 Cabernet Franc - $22
Opens with a meaty, dusty, nose of boysenberry, anise, wild sagebrush, dried bay leaf, pipe tobacco and pine sap aromas. The palate is dry and rather intense with similar flavours and a mouth-watering blend of bright, blue fruit and savoury, earthy notes.
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Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Cabernet Franc - $25
A consistent flavour and aroma profile, year-to-year, yields a masculine Cabernet Franc with a nice blend of blue fruit purée and savoury herbs characters on the expressive nose and the uber-dry and mineral'n'oak-infused palate.Wild berry acidity and firm tannins frame the long finish where tongue-tingling bitter-spice and toasted oak notes linger.
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River Stone Estate Winery 2013 Cabernet Franc -$26
Shows depth on the nose with blackberry, wild flower'n'herbs, plum, soft spices, boysenberry and light cedar aromas. The dry, well-structured palate expresses similar flavours with added coffee grind and earthy notes and fine, ripe tannins. The finish is long and balanced with lingering wild berry notes.
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Fairview Cellars 2013 Premier Series Cabernet Franc - $30
A stunning Cabernet Franc from an excellent vintage offering a memorable, feminine nose of ripe, wild berry, vanilla, mint, pot-pourri, dry herb and wild flower aromas. The dry, full-bodied palate that follows is youthful with burgeoning complexity from mixed berry, toasted oak, licorice, dark chocolate, vanilla, mint, spice and light forest flavours that are lovingly supported by mouth-watering acidity and fine, medium tannins through to a long finish with lingering cassis and herb notes.
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Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2012 Oldfield Series Cabernet Franc - $30.50
Happily offers the same wild berry, sagebrush and pipe tobacco medley of aromas and flavours of the uber-popular 'regular' label (2012) just with a more polished structure of ripe, smoky tannins and a richer, fuller palate with fleshy plum and smooth cocoa notes thanks to additional ageing on lees in oak barrels (18 months) and a full year in the bottle prior to release.
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Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc - $33
Sourced from the estate vineyard along the Black Sage Bench, on offer are classic notes of wild berries, dried herbs, licorice, vanilla-spice, toasted oak, pipe tobacco, menthol and the ethereal 'Franc funk' on both the intense, dense nose and the bright, lightly tannic palate. Length is good, not great, but you will love the unique combination of the fruit and savoury characters that only good Cabernet Franc can deliver.
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Cassini Cellars 2012 Cabernet Franc - $TBA
Sourced from a single vineyard and treated to 24 months in French oak prior to bottling, this is a full-bodied, expressive wine from the warm 2012 Southern Okanagan vintage which produced ripe tannins and intense plum and blackberry fruit aromas and flavours supported by layers of complementary sweet pipe smoke, spicy oak, crushed violet and subtle spearmint notes.
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 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Monthly Picks: October'15 - Argentina

This month we celebrate the well-priced, varied wines of Argentina by showcasing some of our recent favourites. From classic French varieties to home-grown grapes, Argentina can produce over-achieving wines at any price-point, though, our selections are all $16 or less (plus taxes) in BC.

Bodegas Catena 2013 Alamos Chardonnay - $13
Sourced from the high altitude vineyards of Mendoza, the wine does spend 6 months in a combination of American and French oak, imparting a myriad of spices on the finish and texture on the palate, balancing the bright, apple and peach flavours.
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Pascual Toso 2013 Malbec - $13
A fruit-forward Malbec with ripe'n'tangy blackberry and chocolate-cherry liqueur aromas followed by a bright, yet, approachable palate of similar flavours and added earth, spice, vanilla and light oak notes. 
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Michel Torino 2013 Cuma Torrontés - $14
A straight-forward, yet, impressively balanced Torrontés, sourced from organically farmed vineyards, offering an unctuous entry of plump, peaches and cream flavours leading to a citrus-y, refreshing finish where stonefruit, lemon zest and spice notes linger.
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Michel Torino 2013 Don David Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - $14
Opens with a dense nose of cassis, blackberry, anise, pepper, toasted oak and Brazil nut aromas. Followed by a palate with similar flavours and a full-ish body from residual sugar that just stops short of being too sweet thanks to well-proportioned, fresh berry acidity and impressive, dusty tannins - especially for the price-point.
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Viña Chela 2013 Reserve Malbec - $15
A supremely smooth and balanced wine for the price point with an unapologetic, easy-going demeanour that focuses on pleasant, juicy and savoury aromas of sweet plums, spiced mocha and fig on the nose and delivers a food-friendly blend of blue fruits, toasted oak and savoury spices on the medium-bodied palate.
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Bodegas Escorihuela Gascón 2013 '1884' Reservado Cabernet Sauvignon - $16
A dark ruby-purple, fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza that delivers a Malbec-y nose of mixed berry fruit and spicy plum aromas followed by a more typically Cabernet palate of cassis and oak supported by savoury flavours and firm tannins.
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 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Monthly Picks: September'15 - BC Pinot Noir

This month we cast our critical eye towards BC Pinot Noir... and like what we see. 

SpierHead Winery 2013 Pinot Noir - $24
This release is their largest production at 600 cases and is a blend of their different East Kelowna vineyards, revealing a minimalist, fruit-forward approach with a pleasant balance of red fruit and earthy notes on the sweetly scented nose and the smooth, yet, mouth-watering palate. Dry herbs and spice add depth throughout. A hint of bitterness and sagebrush lingers on the moderate finish.
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Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2013 Pinot Noir - $25
Black cherry, forest floor, brambly berries and mineral aromas give way to a combination of bright red fruit, spicy plums and weighty oak and earth flavours. The finish is long with lingering bite from tannins and spices. Excellent.
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Eagle Bluff Estate 2013 Crooked Post Pinot Noir - $27
Fairview's popular Pinot Noir is made without bleeding a portion of the juice off the skins during the crush to intensify the colour and flavours - this wine needs no alternation to add intensity, it has heaps of natural red fruit and earth flavours to begin with.
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Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2013 Pinot Noir - $30
This is a big, bold wine with the concentration and 'heat' to match the winery's flagship Meritage label. Intense, red fruit, dialled-up to '11', opens this Pinot with layers of toasted oak, sweet flowers, cured meat, cedar plank and pepper aromas on the nose.
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Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2013 Pinot Noir - $30
Essentially, this is everything you want from a BC Pinot Noir: expressive red fruit supported by earthy characters and hints of herbs and oak. The nose is generous and ripe and worth quaffing while you enjoy this mouth-watering, slightly smoky-tannin Pinot with classic, Pacific Northwest pairings of BBQ salmon and game birds.
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Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2011 Oldfield Series Pinot Noir - $35
The 2011 vintage had its ups and downs with a cooler than average growing season, yet, the finished wine shows ripeness in its tasty, New World blend of both juicy and tangy red fruit and light, earthy-herbal notes. The flavour profile is further enhance with a savoury blend of spices like anise, spearmint and cloves and is neatly wrapped in a blanket of mouth-watering acid and ever-so-slightly greenish tannins.
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JoieFarm 2012 "En Famille" Reserve Pinot Noir - $40
Produced from a blend of Pinot Noir fruit sourced from vineyards in Summerland and the Skaha and Naramata benches. This reserve wine spends 8 months in Burgundian oak prior to bottling and then a further 18 months in bottle prior to release preserving the wine's fresh, vibrant red fruit characters while allowing the earthy notes and tannins to integrate beautifully.
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 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Monthly Picks: August'15 - Random Reds

Random red wines to be enjoyed during the last days of Summer.

Pascual Toso 2013 Malbec - $15
A fruit-forward Malbec with ripe'n'tangy blackberry and chocolate-cherry liqueur aromas followed by a bright, yet, approachable palate of similar flavours and added earth, spice, vanilla and light oak notes. Finish is short, though, a touch of spice lingers on the tongue.
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Averill Creek Vineyard 2014 Foch Eh - $16
Offers some classic and uniquely Foch aromas of toasted marshmallow, Grandma's grape jelly (including the canning wax), candied rhubarb, wild berry fruit and dried herbs. Palate is tangy, juicy and very raw with some prune-y fruit characters, smoke and spices on the moderate finish.
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Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2012 Pinot Noir - $20
Offers a nice combination of red fruit and funky, earthy notes with cherry cola, sweet soil and dried herbs as highlights. Palate is medium-everything, as Pinot usually is, with a smooth entry, some juicy red fruit mid-palate and a mouth-watering finish where herbs and cherry notes linger.
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Stag's Hollow Winery 2012 Heritage Block - $25
One of the best, mid-range, red blends, consistently every year, that opens with sweet'n'smoky berry fruit, spicy chocolate and perfume aromas on the nose. The tasty palate that follows is structured with soft tannins and berry acidity, offering a flavour profile representative of its blend of Bordeaux varieties.
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River Stone Estate Winery 2013 Cabernet Franc - $26
Shows depth on the nose with blackberry, wild flower'n'herbs, plum, soft spices, boysenberry and light cedar aromas. The dry, well-structured palate expresses similar flavours with added coffee grind and earthy notes and fine, ripe tannins. The finish is long and balanced with lingering wild berry notes.
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Le Vieux Pin 2012 Équinoxe Syrah - $90
A beast of a Syrah, yet, still feminine and floral in style. A true femme fatale with both mass and levity, opening with a gorgeous blend of black cherry, crushed violets, vanilla-mocha, white pepper, spicy plum sauce and sweet pipe tobacco aromas on the memorable nose. The intense, brooding palate follows with concentrated dark red fruit and smooth pepper flavours, effortless acidity and ripe, fine-grained tannins.
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 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca