Maison Calvet 2009 Reserve - 86-87pts

Maison Calvet 2009 Reserve (Bordeaux) France

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $15.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 18th, 2011

Tasting Notes: A charming vein of sweetness runs through the nose of this pleasing Bargain Bordeaux. Ripe, dark fruits and black licorice candy aromas dominate the juicy and concentrated nose. The dry palate follows with lighter than expected weight, easy-drinking tannins, a touch of spice and ripe plum and blackberry flavours. This Merlot heavy blend (80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon) should appeal to wine lovers who enjoy New World-leaning Bordeaux wines. Not built for the long haul, this wine is ready to drink now and will hold for another 2 years max. Drink 2011-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Chateau Pey La Tour 2009 Grand Vin - 87pts

Chateau Pey La Tour 2009 Grand Vin (Medoc) Bordeaux - France

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores and private wine shops
Cost: $15-17
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 18th, 2011

Tasting Notes: The warm and long growing season of 2009 has done wonders for not only Bordeaux’s finest wines but also its most affordable. The Chateau Pey La Tour is a blend of 77% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and offers good value for money with juicy, dark berries and savoury, leather and coffee bean characters. Good concentration on the palate and nose derives from ample extraction and a short, but effective oak program adds complexity and weight. A moderate finish with a lingering, smoky texture and subtle mineral notes. This is a good example of Bargain Bordeaux at its best. Ready to drink now, but will hold for another 2-3 years with minor refinement. Drink 2011-14.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Weingut Geheimer Rat 2009 Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Riesling - 86-87pts

Weingut Geheimer Rat 2009 Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Riesling (Pfalz) Germany

Availability: Not available in Canada
Cost: $N/A
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: February 15th, 2011

Tasting Notes: This is a fruity and dry German Riesling not often found in Canada. Intense on the nose with fuzzy peach candy, mandarin orange and river stone aromas. The dry palate starts juicy and bright and then ends with austere characters, biting citrus acidity, an effervescent texture and a steely finish. Enjoy this wine in its youth or hold for 2-3 more years. Drink 2011-14.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Peller Estates 2008 Private Reserve Riesling - 86pts

Peller Estates 2008 Private Reserve Riesling (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $15.99
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: February 14th, 2011

Tasting Notes: This Riesling from Peller Estates’ Okanagan winery opens with a delicate and seductive nose of orange blossoms and sweet lemon drop aromas followed by notes of mandarin oranges and kiwi fruit. One could enjoy the nose for hours. On the dry palate things fall apart a bit with the balance’o’meter leaning too far to acidity with only the perception of sweetness from citrus fruits to right it. The finish ends abruptly with only a hint of lingering minerality. Overall a good effort and an appropriately priced food wine. Drink 2011-12.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Hugel et Fils 2008 Classic Pinot Blanc - 88pts

Hugel et Fils 2008 Classic Pinot Blanc (Riquewihr) Alsace - France

Availability: Limited
Cost: $15-20
Alcohol: 12%
Date Tasted: February 20th, 2011

Tasting Notes: A rich and creamy Pinot Blanc from top Alsatian producer Hugel et Fils with strong tropical and orchard fruit flavours and subtle slate minerality. Slightly off-dry with a full mouth feel and lingering lemon zest. A great pairing for salads or a hot afternoon with friends. Drink 2011-13.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Hugel et Fils 2006 Jubilee Pinot Noir - 87pts

Hugel et Fils 2006 Jubilee Pinot Noir (Riquewihr) Alsace - France

Availability: Limited.
Cost: $N/A
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: February 19th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Alsace is mostly known in North America for delicious, aromatic, white wines but they can also make a mean, cool-climate Pinot Noir. Rare to see one imported, but should you get the chance to try one, snatch it up for a unique experience.

Subtle and delicate with maraschino cherry, cool raspberry and perfume aromas on the nose. The fruit characters transfer to the dry palate where austere hands are waiting to clasp the throat of the juicy flavours and extinguish them, but never succeed. The oak treatment lingers on the moderate-plus finish. Light tannins and high-ish acidity make for an excellent wine to pair with savoury lamb stews. Drink 2011-13.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Mission Hill Estate Winery 2004 Oculus - 92-93pts

Mission Hill Estate Winery 2004 Oculus (Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Sold out. Contact winery direct for library release
Cost: $90-100 est
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: December 24th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Right Bank Bordeaux is served well in tribute with a brooding, Merlot driven blend (74% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot) with a dusty nose of dark fruit, toasted oak and licorice, but not in an organic, effortless way. An exceptional wine with powerful tannins and concentration, worthy of one's cellar, but one that it is slightly dishonest. The high tannins, crucial to longevity, seem a bit "by design" rather than a more natural by-product of the oak treatment and skin contact. Should your cellar already contain a bottle, I recommend another 2-3 more years before opening - an exceptional incubation time for a BC wine. Drink 2013+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Blackwood Lane 2004 Alliance - 95pts

Blackwood Lane 2004 Alliance (Langley) Fraser Valley - BC

Availability: Sold out. Contact winery direct for library release
Cost: $80-90 est
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: December 24th, 2010

Tasting Notes: A complex nose of cassis and other dark fruits mingle on the developing bouquet with aromas of graphite, fig, stewed plums and licorice. The full-bodied palate follows with concentrated dark fruit, plum, cassis, savoury oak flavours and mulled-wine spices. Powerful and intense but not over-extracted with a finish that goes on and on.

This Cabernet Sauvignon-leading blend is still years away from its peak as the wine has aged beautifully and effortlessly. Drinking well now and suggests, with its fine structure of tannins and near perfect balance, it won't peak until 2014 and then hold for further 5 years. Drink 2011-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Fairview Cellars 2004 The Bear - 92pts

Fairview Cellars 2004 The Bear (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Sold out. Contact winery direct for library releases
Cost: $70-80 est
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: December 24th, 2010

Tasting Notes: A bouquet of red and dark berries, orange peel, minerality and toasted oak, has managed to stay fresh and vibrant. The palate is relatively light for a Meritage blend - not uncommon for wines of the vintage - very similar weight to the Black Hills 2004 Nota Bene. Red fruits dominate the palate which has evolved into an elegant, subtle Siren with a chalky texture and smooth, mellow tannins. This wine has peaked and is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2011-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2008 Reserve Pinot Noir - 90pts

Cassini Cellars 2008 Reserve Pinot Noir (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $34
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 115 cases
Date Tasted: February 3rd, 2011

Tasting Notes: The 2008 version of this fine Reserve Pinot Noir from Cassini Cellars will appeal to Pinophiles who like a little funk in their wine. A familiar red fruit and toasted oak profile from the 2007 vintage is accompanied by barnyard and cured meat aromas in the new release. This adds complexity to the wine which also boasts silky smooth tannins and food-friendly, mouth-watering acidity. An excellent pairing for duck confit or BC salmon. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Cassini Cellars 2007 Reserve Pinot Noir - 89pts

Cassini Cellars 2007 Reserve Pinot Noir (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and select VQA stores
Cost: $34
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 115 cases
Date Tasted: January 30th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Showing some maturity in appearance and on the nose, this ruby-brick coloured Pinot Noir offers a developing bouquet of cherry, vanilla, toasted oak and slate mineral aromas. Delicate in character, the nose is very charming and deserves time to be appreciated.

The dry palate follows with classic BC Pinot qualities: food-friendly acid, medium tannins that sit lightly in the mouth, good use of French oak and bright red fruits that balance the savoury notes perfectly. Not overly complex, but rather, a very focused and very well balanced wine.
Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier (with Hugh Carter) ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Monthly Picks: February 2011

In February we celebrate Valentine's Day so this month's picks are all sensual wines. The perfect pairing for Romance's special day.

Fort Berens Estate Winery 2009 Late Harvest - $20
A subtle nose of tropical fruits continues through to the nuanced and moderately intense, semi-sweet palate where flavours of lemon drops, apricots and minerals are also present.
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Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars N/V Brut - $24
Apples, pears and a touch of citrus aromas on the nose with mineral and lees notes. The dry palate has mouth-watering lime zest acidity and a lingering, orchard fruit finish. A serious sparkling wine without the serious price-tag.
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LaStella Winery 2009 Vivace Pinot Grigio - $25
A sexy wine to be sure. Some residual sugar (7g/l) balances beautifully with the citrus acidity and minerality.
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Poplar Grove Winery 2008 Chardonnay - $25
Richly textured on the dry palate with a nice mixture of ripe apple and pears, serene oak and steely mineral flavours. Well balanced with a moderate-plus finish and lingering vanilla spice.
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Summerhill Pyramid Winery NV Cipes Rosé - $38
A well balanced, fresh and vibrant Rosé sparkler with fine, persistent bubbles that delivers subtle cherry and tart cranberry characters and a touch of sweetness on the otherwise dry palate. Nothing says Valentine's Day like pink bubbly.
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Viña San Diego De Puquillay 2007 Encierra - $38
The dry, easy-drinking palate doesn’t challenge with complex layers, but does reward with focused, concentrated fruit followed by savoury oak flavours and round tannins. A very “big” wine which, despite the high alcohol (15%,) is well balanced.
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Cassini Cellars 2008 Nobilus - $39
Worthy of one's cellar, this 100% Merlot brute from Golden Mile Bench winery Cassini Cellars is a tasty treat full of dark berry, earthy peat, smoky licorice, toasted oak, dark chocolate and cherry-cola candy aromas and flavours. The sublime nose also delights with aromatics notes of rose petals. One of BC's top Merlots.
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Meyer Family Vineyards 2008 McLean Creek Road Vineyard Pinot Noir - $40
Refined aromas of dark cherry, plum, warm gravel, toasted oak, vanilla and a hint of spice are followed by an intense palate of similar flavours with added raspberry flavours and a smoky texture. The moderate-plus finish is well balanced with medium tannins and acid.
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