Monthly Picks: April '15 - Quails' Gate

Springtime in BC means the release of last year's whites, rosé wines and the occasional red to the market. The first such release to land on our review table arrived from West Kelowna's Quails' Gate Winery. They have 3 new whites, their always dependable blush and their killer Pinot Noir to try. Enjoy.

2014 Dry Riesling - $17.11
A very consistent label for the West Kelowna winery, this Riesling is an exploration of the balance between the crisp and sweet facets of tart orchard fruit like green apples and lemon/lime.
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2014 Gewurztraminer - $17.11
For 2014, the Quail's Gate Gewurztraminer showcases a little more of the opulent, tropical fruit we've come to associate with the Alsatian variety than from the 2013 release - especially on the off-dry palate where the initial citrus tartness is overtaken by lychee and papaya fruit through to the bright and spicy, mineral-infused finish.
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2014 rosé - $18.14
The palate is juicy and refreshing with near off-dry levels of residual sugar balanced by plenty of wild berry and rhubarb acidity. Flavours of delicate red fruit, minerals and sweet citrus with bring a smile to your face.
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2014 Chasselas Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris - $19.18
Popular for its approachable and affordable combination of refreshing orchard fruit and mineral flavours, this is the ultimate patio wine with some residual sweetness balanced by mannered acidity and grassy notes on the finish.
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2013 Pinot Noir - $28.15
Essentially, this is everything you want from a BC Pinot Noir: expressive red fruit supported by earthy characters and hints of herbs and oak.
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 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca

Photo Album - La Frenz Winery

After many trips through the Okanagan Valley to visit its wineries and meet the folks behind the great wines on offer, I've accumulated many photographs over the years

Every time I visit the Naramata Bench I try and make time to enjoy a glass of Sauvignon Blanc on the humble patio of La Frenz Winery. These photos are taken from multiple visits to La Frenz since my first trip in 2009.

La Frenz Winery's tasting room

Monthly Picks: March '15 - March Meritage!

In honour of the upcoming NCAA Men's Basketball tournament, affectionately known as "March Madness", this month's wine picks feature a selection of our favourite BC Meritage blends from the past year.

River Stone Estate Winery 2011 Corner Stone - $28.50
Certainly, a refreshing Meritage with mouth-watering acidity, mannered tannins and lots of wild berry fruit supported by oak, sage brush and spice box flavours on the palate. Ready to go now with mid-range ageing potential.
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Fort Berens Estate Winery 2012 Meritage - $29
The components follow a Right-bank recipe of 72% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc, delivering a masculine wine with firm, blue fruit and underlying layers of savoury notes like toasted oak, cured meat and coffee grinds.
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Gold Hill Winery 2012 Family Reserve Meritage - $35
A nice entry into the popular 'big-blend' category for the Golden Mile-based winery from the Southern Okanagan. A sweetly scented, feminine nose billows from the glass with engaging, blackberry, cassis, raspberry seeds, pine needles, sweet pipe tobacco, vanilla-mocha and French oak aromas.
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Serendipity Winery 2010 Reserve Serenata - $40
A dense and meaty red blend of Bordeaux varieties, delivering concentrated aromas of cassis, plum chutney, black cherry, anise, menthol, incense, toasted oak and eucalyptus on the complex nose. The dry, mouth-watering palate offers good continuity from the nose with concentrated, dark fruit flavours and added savoury elements from French oak and coffee grinds.
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Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2011 Meritage - $45
A dense, masculine blend of Bordeaux varieties that opens with a complex nose of cool blackberry, wild red currant, menthol, black cherry, coffee grinds, cardamom and baking spice aromas. The medium-plus bodied palate is loaded with brooding, dark fruit and toasted oak flavours, with light, savoury notes adding depth.
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Black Hills Estate Winery 2012 Nota Bene - $55
The latest edition sees a whopping 57% Merlot mixed with 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc and despite the changes, the 2012 offers good typicity for the iconic brand suggesting the vineyard site is the most dominant influence over the finished wine and not the finite percentages of the main components.
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Painted Rock Estate Winery 2012 Red Icon - $55
Though the components change year-to-year, Painted Rock's Red Icon is an exceptionally consistent, high-end blend that successfully executes its but de vie to deliver complex, New World flavours wrapped in an elegant, Old World structure.
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 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca