BC Wine Deal: May 8th, 2014

The following VQA wines have been reduced in price at your local participating VQA and BCLDB stores.

Ancient Hill Gewurztraminer was $18.90 is now $15.99
Arrowleaf Pinot Gris was $17.95 is now 16.95
Bench 1775 Chardonnay was $18.90 is now $16.90
Bonitas Merlot Artist was $33.95 is now $29.95
Bonitas Pinot Noir was $25.00 is now $22.95
Calona Artist Series Sovereign Opal was $12.99 is now $11.99
Cassini Cellars Reserve Chardonnay was $28.85 is now $24.90
Daydreamer Rose was $22.00 is now $20.00
Desert Hills Cabernet Franc was $26.90 is now $21.99
Gehringer Brothers Riesling was $14.99 is now $12.99
Gray Monk Odyssey Meritage White was $23.99 is now $18.99
Harper's Trail Gewurztraminer was $17.95 is now $16.90
Hillside Merlot was $18.99 is now $16.99
Inniskillin Pinot Blanc Reserve was $13.99 is now $11.99
Inniskillin Pinot Noir Reserve was $18.99 is now $16.99
Inniskillin Zinfandel was $25.99 is now $22.99
Jackson Triggs Reserve Merlot was $14.99 is now $11.99
Jackson Triggs Private Reserve Sauvignon Blanc was $13.99 is now $10.99
Jackson Triggs Private Reserve Viognier was $13.99 is now $10.99
La Stella Lastellina Rose was $20.85 is now $19.00
Le Vieux Pin Petit Blanc was $19.85 is now $17.00
Le Vieux Pin Vaila Rose was $25.00 is now $22.00
Little Straw Tapestry was $17.90 is now $16.90
Lixiere Gewurztraminer was $19.90 is now $18.50
Mission Hill Five Vineyards Chardonnay was $14.99 is now $13.99
Paradise Ranch Cabernet/Merlot Late Harvest 375ml was $18.90 is now $16.90
Perseus Sauvignon Blanc was $17.99 is now $16.90
Perseus Viognier was $21.99 is now $15.40
Prospect Shiraz was $15.99 is now $14.99
Red Rooster Bantam was $14.99 is now $13.49
Red Rooster Gewurztraminer was $16.99 is now $15.49
Red Rooster Pinot Blanc was $16.99 is now $15.49
Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc was $18.95 is now $17.99
Sumac Ridge Private Reserve Merlot was $15.99 is now $13.99
Sumac Ridge Private Reserve Sauvignon Blanc was $13.99 is now $11.99
Summerhill Organic Alive White Blend was $19.95 is now $18.95
Therapy Vineyards Freudian Sip was $17.50 is now $15.50
Therapy Vineyards Merlot was $22.99 is now $20.99
Thornhaven Pinot Gris was $17.90 is now $15.90
Tinhorn Creek Gewurztraminer was $18.49 is now $16.99
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Merlot was $29.99 is now $26.99
Tinhorn Creek 2 Bench White Blend was $22.99 is now $20.99
Volcanic Hills Gewurztraminer was $18.90 is now $17.90
Whistler Merlot Late Harvest was $16.90 is now $14.90

Try This, Cellar That - BC Riesling

This week we showcase BC Riesling:

Try This...

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2013 Dry Riesling - $17
Pale straw in colour, this Riesling from West Kelowna's iconic Quails' Gate Winery is crisp and vibrant delivering apple, pear, pinapple and citrus fruit aromas and flavours grounded by a strong backbone of stonefruit. The palate gets some body from 9g/l of residual sugar, yet, finishes dry and refreshing thanks to well-balanced grapefruit acidity. Enjoy this Riesling in its youth as a go-to Summer Sipper.
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Cellar That...

Stag's Hollow Winery 2013 Riesling - $20
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. This Riesling has a great shot at ageing gracefully thanks to Botrytis affected fruit at harvest time. Look for nectarine-like aromas and flavours to appear over the next 3-4 years.
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- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Monthly Picks: May '14 - Church and State

For May's monthly picks we offer a showcase of recent Church and State releases. The Black Sage Bench-based winery produces 3 tiers of wines plus random offerings via a 2nd label called "Church Mouse". The new releases this Spring are mostly single varietal red wines from the 2011 vintage from their "Church and State Series" as well as the new vintage of their tasty single-vineyard Chardonnay. Also worth exploring is the still available 2009 Meritage from the winery's premium "Coyote Bowl Series".

To order these wines, order direct from the winery here (discounts are occasionally available) or search-out their wines at your local VQA and BCLDB stores.

Church and State Wines 2011 Merlot - $20
Quite an intense nose for a moderately priced BC Merlot with loads of blackberry and black currant puree aromas and some savoury notes like coffee grinds, spice  and cedar adding depth. The finish, although a tad bitter, is moderately long and offers the distinct taste of Christmas cake in all its spicy-candied fruit glory.
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Church and State Wines 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon - $25
Lots to like and pick-out on the nose of this Osoyoos-sourced Caberner Sauvignon with aromas of blackberry, cola, mint, black raspberry and light French oak. Pair with a chocolate plate after a savoury dinner to finish off the night in style.
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Church and State Wines 2011 Cabernet Franc - $25
After 2 hrs of decanting, this youthful Cabernet Franc will begin to reveal sweetened pot-pourri and crushed fresh flower notes which float delicately above the blueberry, black cherry and vanilla aromas.
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Church and State Wines 2012 Gravelbourg Chardonnay - $27
An exploration of texture and of the masculine qualities of the Burgundian grape, with the former enhanced from extended lees contact during élevage, adding fullness to the mouth feel and imparting brioche aromas and flavours.
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Church and State Wines 2009 Coyote Bowl Series Meritage - $35
nother excellent Bordeaux-inspired blend from the Southern Okanagan's hot 2009 vintage. At 5 years of age, the dusty tannins are beginning to mellow and round, yet, the acid and dark fruit core remains youthful and vibrant. Will easily hold for another 5-6 years with proper cellaring, though, its peak will come sooner.
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 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca