2020 Red Icon

REVIEWS

95 Points - "This is a cerebral wine beginning with aromas of spice, black cherry and black currant. On the palate, there are layers of dark fruits – black cherry, blackberry, plum and blueberry – mingled with spice and notes of chocolate. The tannins are firm but the extra year of bottle age has polished the texture. Decant for immediate consumption or lay it down for a decade or so." John Schreiner

"Painted Rock fans won't be disappointed with this 2020 Red Icon. The Painted Rock style is always a big despite a strict Bordeaux farming and winemaking regime thanks to a mid-valley vineyard that soaks up the sun from dawn till dusk. The colour is opaque, the nose a smoky red but primarily black fruit affair with cedar and mushroom throughout. Firm but silky tannins invade the palate from front to back, finishing with cassis, blackberries, baking spices, and dark chocolate." Anthony Gismondi

Awards and Media for Past Vintages

2019 Red Icon - Gold Medal, Wine Align National Wine Awards of Canada 2023
2019 Red Icon - John Schreiner, 94 Points
2018 Red Icon - John Schreiner, 94 Points
2017 Red Icon - Decanter's "Canadian Wine of the Year"
2017 Red Icon - Decanter - 95 Points "Outstanding"
2017 Red Icon - WineAlign's Guide to Canada's Top Wines "Best Red"
2016 Red Icon – John Schreiner – 95 Points
2016 Red Icon – Silver Medal, WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada 2019
2015 Red Icon – 93 Points – Decanter Magazine – September 2018 issue Steven Spurrier Fine Wine Selection
2015 Red Icon – Gold Medal, WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada 2018
2015 Red Icon – Silver Medal, InterVin International Wine Awards of Canada
2014 Red Icon – Best Red – Okanagan, 2017 Best of BC Wine Country Awards
2013 Red Icon – 94 Points, Steven Spurrier, Decanter Magazine
2012 Red Icon – 17 Points, Richard Hemming, www.jancisrobinson.com
2010 Red Icon – Gold Medal, 2014/2015 InterVin International Wine Awards
2009 Red Icon – Gold Medal, 2011 Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards
2009 Red Icon – Silver Medal, 2012 Decanter World Wine Awards
2009 Red Icon – Silver Medal, 2012 Devanter World Wine Awards
2007 Red Icon – Winner of the 2010 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence In BC Wines
2007 Red Icon – Winner of the People’s Choice Awards, 2010 Fall Okanagan Wine Festival

WINEMAKING

A blend of Merlot 39%, Cabernet Franc 31%, Petit Verdot 14%, Cabernet Sauvignon 12%, Malbec 4%

Each vineyard block was individually hand picked and berry sorted. Blocks were then broken into small batches, cold soaked on their skins for four days and fermented for an additional 21 days on their skins in tank with twice daily pump overs. All batches were then barrel aged for 18 months in 30% new French oak. The barrels that were blended to create the Red Icon were chosen first for their specific attributes. The wine was blended prior to bottling, unfiltered.

Recommended Drinking Window*: 2023-2035

It started out not unusually with slightly delayed bud break due to a cool spring, followed by a mild and wet June leading to exponential growth in the vineyard and a lush canopy. Temperatures and rainfall evened out to averages in July and we were seeing great fruit development. Harvest arrived on time and started with those beautiful golden clusters of Chardonnay on September 28, 2020. Our Winemaker, Gabriel & Winemaking Consultant, Alain both described the vintage as fantastic due to the smaller berry size and particularly low yields leading to ripe, beautifully balanced wines. With bright acidity and ripe fruit, the 2020 vintage will cellar beautifully for years to come.