For the 2017 awards season, in addition to our Top 20 list and singular Icon Wine of the Year, we're including a celebration of the best wines in a few select categories. Here are our Top 5 Chardonnay of 2017:
1. JoieFarm 2015 "En Famille" Reserve Chardonnay - 90+pts
A hedonistic, barrel fermented Chardonnay sourced from Skaha Bluff and Naramata Bench vineyards with layers of melon, orchard and citrus fruit mixed with savoury characters of nuts, vanilla bean and oak on the buttery nose and briny palate.
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2. Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards 2014 Chalk Hill Chardonnay - 90pts
A wonderfully balanced Chardonnay with a solid mineral backbone on the joyful, sweetly-comforting, baked aroma scented nose and the refreshing, orchard and citrus fruit infused, full-bodied, oak-kissed palate. Finish is moderate-plus with some lingering spice, lemon peel and 'hot' alcohol notes.
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3. Liquidity Wines 2015 Chardonnay - 90pts
Subtle oak and partial malolactic fermentation notes frame the characteristics of the estate-sourced fruit nicely; medium intense, pear, peach and papaya fruits, light herbs and macadamia nut aromas and flavours with crisp, citrus acidity.
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4. Taken Wine Co. 2014 Complicated Chardonnay - 90pts
A well-structured and balanced Chardonnay with a lifted nose of fresh, orchard fruit and Spring blossoms with light mineral and oak notes adding depth. Full-ish palate is clean and crisp with mouth-watering acidity and plenty of citrus and peach flavours. Just a kiss of oak contact lingers on the moderate finish.
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5. Upper Bench Estate Winery 2016 Chardonnay - 90pts
A nice degree of opulence is on offer with mineral notes and vivacious stonefruit acidity present to keep the finish refreshing and balanced. Melon, peach and macadamia nut aromas and flavours throughout.
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- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
For the 2017 awards season, in addition to our Top 20 list and singular Icon Wine of the Year, we're including a celebration of the best wines in a few select categories. Here are our Top 5 Rosé of 2017:
1. Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2013 Brut Rosé - 91pts
A gorgeous nose of honey-kissed scones, grape seeds, raspberries and lees gives way to the dry palate, loaded with strawberry shortcake and light cinnamon applesauce flavours and texture to spare. Drink now or hold for 3-4 more years.
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2. Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2016 Oldfield Reserve Rosé - 90pts
A very attractive rosé made with 100% Cabernet Franc, with a gentle, orange-salmon hue, a joyful, berry and sweet herb scented nose and a well-balanced, off-dry and mouth watering palate where tangy, rhubarb and citrus characters blend, effortlessly, with ripe strawberry fruit and watermelon Jolly Rancher candy flavours.
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3. Le Vieux Pin 2016 Vaila - 89pts
This blend of 100% Pinot Noir grapes, sourced from the multiple Okanagan Valley regions, is dry and refreshing with excellent texture and a delicious profile of rhubarb, kiwi, cranberry, raspberry seed and layers of citrus fruit. The finish is long and mouth-watering.
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4. Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Rosé - 89pts
The first vintage of Black Hills' Rosé suggests the Southern Okanagan winery did its homework before joining the trend, producing a beautiful, 100% Pinot Noir blush with an attractive, watermelon-pink hue and offering a range of strawberry-citrus and rhubarb-herb aromas and flavours.
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5. Stag's Hollow Winery 2016 Syrah Grenache Rosé - 89pts
A blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache sourced from multiple sites in the Okanagan Valley grown specifically for this aromatic and lively rosé. Excellent texture on the red fruit driven, well-balanced palate with added herbs and spice flavours and brisk, mouth-watering, citrus acidity.
Full Review
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
For the 2017 awards season, in addition to our Top 20 list and singular Icon Wine of the Year, we're including a celebration of the best wines in a few select categories. Here are our Top 5 Pinot Noir of 2017:
1. SpierHead Winery 2015 Pinot Noir Cuvée - 91pts
Rich and engaging on the vanilla-kissed, cherry-raspberry-earth scented nose and on the similarly flavoured, medium-plus bodied palate. Well-structured with smooth, slightly-earthy tannins and fine, berry acidity and finishes long with a touch of spice and lingering Black Forest cake notes, a signature of the label.
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2. Bethel Heights Vineyard 2014 Estate Pinot Noir - 91pts
A blend of the winery's different Pinot blocks from their 100 acres vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of Willamette Valley. Quite robust, for a Pinot, with a classic, earthy/red-fruit base, dialled up to "11", and a medley of surprisingly compatible sweet and austere notes. Sure to please Pinotphilesboth traditional and adventurous.
Full Review
3. Meyer Family Vineyards 2015 McLean Creek Road Vineyard Pinot Noir - 90-91pts
Sourced from the winery's home vineyard in Okanagan Falls, this is a rich and hedonistic Pinot Noir with harmonious dark fruit, sensual herbs and rustic earth aromas on the nose. The dark fruit and earth theme continues through to the medium-plus bodied palate, nicely balanced with fresh blackberry acidity and supported by silky, fine tannins.
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4. JoieFarm 2015 "En Famille" Reserve Pinot Noir - 90pts
Opens with a generous nose of raspberry, potpourri and sweet spices followed by a bright, dry palate of raspberry flesh and seed flavours with savourytidbits of smoky pepper and cocoa notes adding depth. Fine, light tannins and mouth-watering acidity make this Pinot a friend to beef stews and game dishes.
Full Review
5. Eagle Bluff Vineyards 2015 Crooked Post Pinot Noir - 90pts
Fairview's approachable-now, medium-everything Pinot Noir, produced under the Eagle Bluff Vineyards label, offers a nice blend of ripe and brambly red fruits with layers of earthy and savoury notes; cherry, raspberry skin, huckleberry, sun-warmed rocky soil and mellow spice. Acid is on-point and punctuates the long finish where light herbs and spice linger.
Full Review
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
