Big Reds from Niagara as High as🔥95+ Points!

Icellars is redefining Niagara-on-the-Lake with bold, Napa-inspired Cabernet Sauvignons and Syrahs that rival the world's best.

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We are absolutely thrilled to feature Icellars this week. This is a winery that holds a very special place in my heart. 

 

I fondly remember the late founder, Adnan Icel, a brilliant mechanical engineer who brought an unmatched passion and precision to winemaking. Adnan built this estate from the ground up, even engineering Canada's first Net Zero Energy winery with a unique geothermal system, a true testament to his innovative spirit.

 

While we miss Adnan dearly, I am so happy and proud to see his wife Elif and their sons, Tolga and Arda, taking the helm and continuing his incredible legacy. 

 

This is a project that the legendary Peter Gamble supported from day one, and together, they are completely redefining what we can do with big reds in Niagara-on-the-Lake. 

 

If you love bold, structured, and age-worthy wines, you are going to be blown away by what the Icel family is doing.

 

Click here to go directly to the order page...or keep scrolling to see the wines and tasting notes.

 

Cheers,

Carl

Choose Your Wines Here (click or tap)
Six Bottle Icellars Discovery Pack🔥 90+ to 93pts

Six Bottle Icellars Discovery Pack🔥 90+ to 93pts

$237.00

Receive one of each of the following six bottles to discover why Icellars has become known as the 'House of Reds' - plus a mini vertical of their little-known but delicious Chardonnays.

 

2017 Chardonnay🔥93


2018 Chardonnay | 91pts


2018 Reserve Red | 92pts


2018 Cabernet Sauvignon 🔥 92+pts


2021 Pinot | 90+pts


2019 "Wismer-Parke" Syrah 🔥 93pts
Five Bottle Icellars Collector Pack🔥 93 to 95+pts

Five Bottle Icellars Collector Pack🔥 93 to 95+pts

$387.00

Receive five rare reds from Icellars, all rated 93 to 95+ points!

 

2017 Wyana Wanda🔥93+pts


2016 Arinna🔥94pts


2020 "Wismer-Parke" Syrah🔥95+pts


2017 "Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon 🔥 94pts


2019 "Reserve" Pinot Noir🔥93pts

Here's exactly why I rated these wines the way I did:

2020 Icellars “Wismer Parke Vineyard” Syrah - Carl's Wine Club

2020 Icellars “Wismer Parke Vineyard” Syrah 🔥95+pts

$79.00

#2 Wine of the Year (see my video review here)

WOW, definitely an early leading candidate for Wine of the Year and probably the best Syrah I’ve tasted from Niagara. A wine with power and finesse, incredible depth and richness, this Syrah is the perfect expression of the “Vintage of the Century”.

 

The nose is generous with aromas of blueberry, cassis and violet, before transitioning towards cappuccino and cinnamon. On the palate, the texture is incredibly rich and perfectly lifted by a wave of freshness and acidity which gracefully balance the 14.9% alcohol. 

 

The flavours of blueberry jam, dark cherry, tiramisu, licorice and white pepper come in perfectly synchronized layers. An absolute MASTERPIECE. This will age for at least a decade without blinking. (CWC, 13/3/23). 120 cases made.

 

95.5 points Carl's Wine Club

ON Niagara Peninsula VQA Twenty Mile Bench VQA

100% Syrah

 

Dry Wine | 14.9% ABV | Drink from 2023 to 2032

Pairings: BBQ pork ribs, lamb roast
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2016 Icellars Arinna🔥94pts

2016 Icellars Arinna🔥94pts

$60.00

2016 was one of the best Niagara vintages, at the same level as 2020 and 2012. This is the Bordeaux Right Bank version of Icellars. It delivers more elegance and finesse than it's Cab Sauv counterpart, Wiyana Wanda. 

 

This 2016 is concentrated and layered, but extremely soft and silky. This is truly an iron fist in a velvet glove! 

 

On the nose, a great mix of black and blue fruits like blueberry, cassis, and also dark plum and black cherry. Dark chocolate, chocolate brownies, vanilla cream, liqorice, and cedar. 

 

The texture on the palate is absolutely magic! The tannins are super soft and integrated. The oak is at the very perfect place from start to finish. The length and complexity is at a really high level. Flavours include blueberry jam, black macerated cherries, black tea, and dark chocolate. The oak spices are developing past the mid-palate with Christmas-cake like flavours and vanilla custard.

 

One of the best wines in the Icellars portfolio, and at the current price point, it way over-delivers! (Carl Boucher, April 15, 2026).

 

425 cases produced.

 

 

94 points Carl's Wine Club 

ON VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake

52% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec

 

Dry Wine | RS: 3.0g/L | 14.5% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2032

Pairings: beef tenderloin, garlic mushroom pork chops
2017 Icellars Wiyana Wanda🔥 93+pts

2017 Icellars Wiyana Wanda🔥 93+pts

$100.00

This bold red blend has spent 24 months in all new French oak barrels. It’s powerful, structured, layered and incredibly complex.

 

Let’s keep in mind, 2017 was an outstanding vintage and this wine totally displays all the qualities you’d want for a super-premium Left Bank Bordeaux style.

 

On the nose, aromas of dark fruit like black berry, black currant, black plum, but also loads of tobacco, cedar, vanilla, and oak spice. A hint of savouriness also comes back here and there, adding an extra layer.

 

The palate is concentrated and silky, delivering blackberry, black cherry, black currant, freshly ground coffee beans, sweet tobacco leaves, and spice lingering on the very very long finish – like cloves, black cracked pepper, and white pepper.

 

This wine has at least another decade ahead of it. (Carl Boucher, April 15, 2026).

 

225 cases produced.

 

93.5 points Carl's Wine Club | 94 points Rick VanSickle

ON VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Malbec

 

Dry Wine | RS: 3.6g/L | 14.6% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2040

Pairings: ribeye steak, rack of lamb with cabernet sauce
2017 Icellars Chardonnay 🔥 93pts

2017 Icellars Chardonnay 🔥 93pts

$45.00

 

Alright…the 2017 Chardonnay. A definite contrast with the 2018: much brighter acide, have aged much better. This wine is an absolute tank. Nine years in, and it is still going very strong. 

 

The acidity is still up there, the definition is still really precise, and the evolution is just… clean. Pure. You’re getting a bit of richness now, but it still carries that beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake expression, and for sure the Icecellars Chardonnay house style.

 

On the nose, you’ve got lemon curd, white flowers, yellow apple, peach, pear, toasted barrels… really classic, but with a nice depth to it.

 

Then the palate… bright but powerfull right from the start. Lime, peach, pear…, vanilla and then it starts to open up into more of that almond cookie, lemon pie character through the mid-palate.

 

The finish is where it really tightens up again… flinty, mineral, with that little burst of baking spice right at the end.

 

It saw 18 months in oak, and you feel it throughout, but it’s integrated, it’s supporting the wine, not overpowering it.

 

Honestly… this is one of my favourite Chardonnays from that vintage. And a great example of just how well these wines can age. Absoluteky worth every single penny. (Carl Boucher, March 26, 2026).

 

350 cases produced.

93 points, Carl's Wine Club | 91 points WineAlign | 92 points Daniel O'Keefe

ON Niagara Peninsula VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake

100% Chardonnay

 

Dry Wine | RS: 3.0 g/L | 13.2% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2030

 

Pairings: brown butter seared scallops, grilled pork chops
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2018 Icellars Chardonnay | 91pts

2018 Icellars Chardonnay | 91pts

$36.00

Now, 2018 was a hot vintage with a shorter fall, and you really feel that throughout the wine.

 

Right away, you get more tropical fruit coming through… peach, pear, a bit of that riper fruit profile. And the texture… it’s creamy, it’s loaded, with a really nice, generous mid-palate. This is very much in line with the Icellars style.

 

It spent 12 months in oak, and you can tell. The oak is well integrated, but it’s definitely there…giving a bit of spice and structure.

 

On the palate, it’s soft, round, not that sharp, high-acid style. It’s more about texture, roundness, balance, and that lingering oak spice on the finish.

 

It’s a really approachable, expressive Chardonnay…especially if you like a bit more richness in your glass. (Carl Boucher, March 26, 2026).

 

Only 170 cases produced.

91 points, Carl's Wine Club | 91 points Rick VanSickle | 90 points David Lawrason

ON Niagara Peninsula VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake

100% Chardonnay

 

Dry Wine | RS: 3.0 g/L | 13.0% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2028

 

Pairings: roasted chicken, veal schnitzel
2018 Icellars Cabernet Sauvignon 🔥 92+pts

2018 Icellars Cabernet Sauvignon 🔥 92+pts

$49.00

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon doesn’t quite reach the same depth and complexity as the 2017 Reserve, but it sits firmly within the house style and reinforces the potential of this Niagara-on-the-Lake powerhouse.

 

Icellars has clearly established itself as one of the top Cabernet Sauvignon producers in the region. Absolutely no doubt about that.

 

This 2018 leans a bit more into approachability. It’s still structured and expressive, but overall more open and easier drinking than the 2017 and the 2019.

 

On the nose, you get a generous mix of dark cherry, black currant, and crushed raspberry, layered with a touch of cigar box and dark chocolate.

 

The palate is soft and nuanced, showing a nice burst of French oak (18 months of aging) that integrates well with a blend of black and blue fruits. There’s a good energy here, less brooding than the Reserve, but still clearly serious.

 

The finish is supported by a soft tannic structure, with lingering oak spice adding depth and length. (Carl Boucher, March 26, 2026).

 

Only 315 cases produced.

92+ points, Carl's Wine Club | 93 points Rick VanSickle

ON Niagara Peninsula VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Dry Wine | RS: 3.6 g/L | 13.9% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2030

 

Pairings: braised shortribs, lentils shepherd's pie
2017 Icellars "Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon 🔥 94pts

2017 Icellars "Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon 🔥 94pts

$95.00

This 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was meticulously put together from a selection of the top five barrels after the first 12 months of aging. Those barrels were then transferred into entirely new oak for an additional 12 months, resulting in incredible depth and texture for the final wine.

 

This is bold, rich, and powerful: very much a reflection of the 2017 vintage, which I still think is a total sleeper in Niagara-on-the-Lake. A very long, dry fall allowed the Cabernet Sauvignon to reach perfect and complete ripeness. 

 

On the nose, it’s deeply expressive: dark cherry, black currant, blueberry jam, cassis, layered with notes of dark chocolate, tobacco and graphite. Truly Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

The palate is soft, rich, and concentrated. You get waves of black currant, blackberry, and dark plum, with a subtle savoury note, like fresh sage, adding complexity and layers.

 

The mid-palate is where everything comes together. The oak, after 24 months in barrel, has completely integrated by now, supporting the fruit without ever overpowering it.

 

The length here is outstanding. The complexity is off the charts. And the finish lingers with dark chocolate, cedar, and a lift of asian spices like clove, nutmeg and black pepper. This wine has much more to offers: I had it open for over a week and it was still rocking. It can go for another 5 years easily.

 

This is a one-of-a-kind wine, and a serious statement for Niagara-on-the-Lake Cabernet Sauvignon. Only 270 cases produced. (Carl Boucher, March 26, 2026).

 

94 points, Carl's Wine Club | 94 points Rick VanSickle

ON Niagara Peninsula VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Dry Wine | RS: 3.4g/L | 14.8% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2033

 

Pairings: BBQ grilled NY steak, lamb tenderloin w Cab Sauv reduction
2019 Icellars "Wismer-Parke" Syrah 🔥 93pts

2019 Icellars "Wismer-Parke" Syrah 🔥 93pts

$49.00

This 2019 Syrah, just 90 cases produced, really exceeded my expectations.

 

It comes from a very cool vintage, one that was exceptional for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir…but not necessarily where you’d expect big reds to shine.

 

That said, the Wismer-Parke Vineyard on the escarpment has a track record of producing beautifully structured reds, and this is a great example of that.

 

There’s a real structure to the wine. Classic Old World Syrah in style, with black cherry, blueberry, a hint of cassis, and plenty of savoury, gamey character.

 

The tannins are very well resolved at this stage, giving the wine a polished, elegant and cerebral feel. And the oak, with 24 months in exclusively French barrels, has now fully melted into the structure. You feel it most through the mid-palate, where it carries perfectly and all the way through to the finish.

 

The finish is where it gets especially interesting: white pepper, black pepper, clove and a touch of salty minerality, which you don’t often see in Syrah. It adds a really compelling layer.

 

This wine is entering his peak window now and should hold there for another two to three years. And for the quality in the glass, it’s very well priced at $49. (Carl Boucher, March 26, 2026).

 

93 points, Carl's Wine Club

ON Niagara Peninsula VQA Twenty Mile Bench

100% Syrah

 

Dry Wine | RS: 3.0g/L | 13.5% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2030

 

Pairings: smoked lamb shank, beef and pork chili
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2018 Icellars Reserve Red | 92pts

2018 Icellars Reserve Red | 92pts

$31.00

The two Cabernets totally shine in this wine, led by Cab Franc. This is versatile, elegant, and structured.

 

This wine is a beautiful example of what Icellars can do at an entry level. 

 

Aromas of red cherry, blue plum, black cherry, a hint of herbaciousness, cedar box, and a hint of chocolate. The aromatics are not overly complicated, but definitely really elegant and appealing.

 

Interestingly, this wine shines much more on the second day open, which tells me that a quick decant will be useful.

 

The palate is full of energy, the tannins are still active but well placed, and the flavours completely match the aromas.

 

A perfect, well priced and well made welcome to the Icellars portfolio! (Carl Boucher, April 18, 2026).

 

225 cases produced.

 

92 points

ON VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake

40% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Malbec

 

Dry Wine | RS: 2.0g/L | 13.6% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2030

Pairings: baked lasagna, bison burgers with gorgonzola
2021 Icellars Pinot Noir | 90+pts

2021 Icellars Pinot Noir | 90+pts

$27.00

This elegant Pinot Noir from the 2021 vintage is a beautiful expression of balance, finesse, and vintage character.

 

On the nose, you get aromas of red cherry, crushed raspberry, dried cranberry, and rose petal, layered with subtle earthiness and a touch of spice. The palate is silky and refined, with bright acidity lifting flavors of cherry, wild strawberry, red currant, and a hint of forest floor. The mid-palate shows lovely texture and purity, while the finish is long, graceful, and lightly framed by soft tannin.

 

A very classy Pinot Noir that should continue to drink beautifully over the next few years. (Carl Boucher, April 20, 2026).

 

200 cases produced.

 

90+ points, Carl's Wine Club

ON Niagara Peninsula VQA Twenty Mile Bench

100% Pinot Noir

 
2019 Icellars Reserve Pinot Noir 🔥 93pts

2019 Icellars Reserve Pinot Noir 🔥 93pts

$53.00

From the outstanding 2019 vintage (for Pinot and Chardonnay - a much cooler year than usual), this Pinot Noir Reserve was selected from the top barrels and aged for 24 months in French oak, likely around 25% new oak.

 

The complexity of this wine is absolutely outstanding. Wow!!! While not as well known for  Pinot Noir production, Icellars really nailed it with this one.

 

On the nose, you get aromas of dark cherry, red currant, dried cranberry, forest floor, tobacco, cedar, clove, and a light touch of vanilla from the oak.

 

The palate is layered but precise, tension remains even after 7 years, and beautifully structured, showing flavours of black cherry, red currant, raspberry, blue plum, and a good amount of baking spice, well supported by bright acidity (a vintage character) and refined tannins.

 

There’s a beautiful depth and elegance here, with the kind of development you hope to find in serious Pinot Noir.

 

The finish is incredibly long, easily outperforming my expectations. This is truly impressive. (Carl Boucher, April 20, 2026).

 

130 cases produced.

 

93 points Carl's Wine Club | 93 points Rick VanSickle

ON Niagara Peninsula VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake

100% Pinot Noir

 

Dry Wine | RS: 2.0g/L | 13.7% ABV | Drink from 2026 to 2029

Pairings: beef and mushroom stew, duck rillette on crostini

Order Your Wines by April 27 Below

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this work?

Carl's Wine Club is Canada's first pan-Canadian, direct-to-consumer wine club.

 

Being a member of the wine club is FREE and you have access to our informative emails and our live virtual events with Carl to learn more about Canadian wineries.

 

We feature a different Canadian winery every 1-2 weeks with a specially curated mix of wines. You choose if and how much wine to purchase, with winery direct pricing and shipping deals. 

 

On Wednesdays (yes Wine Wednesdays!) we also go LIVE on our social media platforms to chat about Canadian wine and often interview winemakers. Cheers!

How does shipping work?

The wineries ship these wines to you via couriers like Canada Post, UPS, Purolator, ATS or GLS and the wines arrive right to your doorstep! No need to spend time or gas or manpower to visit a store.

 

Your wines will ship within 1-2 weeks of your order date, as wineries ship out our club orders all together in a few batches. You'll receive a tracking number from our system and sometimes also from the winery's system.

 

Someone over the legal drinking age must be present at the time of delivery and provide ID to the delivery driver (this is a legal requirement). Please do your best to ensure that an adult is available to receive the order on the anticipated delivery date.

What if there's a problem with my order or wines?

We will be very happy to assist you if there are any issues, and find a suitable solution. Please contact us at carl@carlswineclub.com or call 587-899-8249.