Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
Today on CFRA News Talk Radio, CFRA Patricia Boal and Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased some great wines and spirits for gifting this season as well as enjoying with family and friends over the holidays. These options will suit every palate and budget, including white, red, and sparkling wines too.
December 2023 Excellent getting a sneak peek of the 2020 vintage release of one of the most exciting Pinot Noir producers in North America - Martin’s Lane from the Okanagan Valley, BC 🇨🇦🍷👌🏻 2020 vintage was as close to a perfect vintage for a Pinot producer as one could imagine, and given the high degree... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON December 2023 Matt’s review: Vallarom's 2020 Syrah, from northern Italy is another impressive wine I recommend seeking out. La Cantina Vallarom is located north west of Verona, as you drive up the valley towards Trento and Bolzano, parallel to Lake Garda, in the region of Trentino. It's here where the majestic Dolomite mountains,... Continue Reading →
The most memorable Orange Wine I tasted in 2023 was from an impressive Italian producer located in the renowned Collio DOC - Primosic's Ribolla Gialla Riserva 2019. This Orange Wine (long skin contact white wine) is a beautiful amber colour, thanks to four weeks of maceration extracting all that colour and flavour from the grape skins and seeds. This long skin contact also is responsible for much of the impressive texture complexity in this impressive wine. Super expressive aromatic profile with apricot, candied mandarin, tomato leaf, and balsamic/resin notes. Medium+ body, this super textured wine has beautiful refreshing mineral and stone fruit driven finish that highlights the rich Collio terroir that produces some of Italy's finest wines. This reserve-tier Orange Wine is super versatile making great pairings with Asian cuisine, Mediterranean dishes, or traditional holiday roasts. Enjoy around cellar temperature and drink over the next decade. Tasted May 2023. 94 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Fontanafredda's Serralunga d'Alba Barolo is renowned for its approachability, great structure, and complex aromatic and flavour profile. Ruby with a garnet hue, this 2018 Barolo is showing wonderfully now with loads of red fruit, spice, earthy characteristics, hints of tar and minerality. Fresh, layered, with a long spicy fruit finish, it's showing beautifully now. Enjoy with creamy mushroom risotto with truffles or braised beef. Enjoy 2023-2030. Tasted November 2023. 93 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Ottawa, ON November 2023 Matt’s review: 2022 Four Feathers is an expressive, refreshing, and exotic blend of Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio, highlighting the great characteristics of each in this super versatile and delicious value-priced wine. Sweet orchard and tropical fruits, pear, crisp citrus, honeyed notes, lemon grass, and flinty minerality on the... Continue Reading →
Noble Ridge's 2022 Rosé shows ripe orchard fruits, sweet stone fruit, tropical fruit and candied apple with a hint of Okanagan desert herbs. The palate is fresh and lively with a nice weight. Layers of ripe fruit persist on the long finish making this an absolute stunner for patio sipping as well as enjoying with hors d'oeuvres, salads with goat cheese and fresh strawberries, grilled salmon, and roasted chicken with cherry-thyme compote. Enjoy now and over the next two years. Tasted November 2023. 92 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Las Lagunas Carménère 2021 shows textbook Chilean Carmenère characteristics with blackberry, raspberry, green peppercorn, spice, and graphite minerality on the nose. Repeat on the palate with dark berries, green peppercorn spice and herbal notes persisting on the long and lightly textured finish. Enjoy this super value priced wine now and over the next few years with roasted rack of lamb and mint-basil pesto or grilled NY strip with salsa verde. Tasted November 2023. 90 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Matt's review: Established in 1959, Campo Viejo is Rioja's leading producer, and the 2016 Gran Reserva Rioja is prime example of the high quality and great value wines this Spanish winery is renowned for. Campo Viejo Rioja Gran Reserva 2016 is a blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mazuela, sourced from old vine vineyards (35+ years old) throughout Rioja. Aged in barrel for two years followed by a minimum of three years in bottle prior to release, earning the Gran Reserva designation and making it ready for immediate enjoyment once released. Ruby red colour, the nose shows plum, dried fruits, currants, wood spice, forest floor, and leather. The palate repeats the rustic and refreshing character of the wine with great structure, elegant tannins, and a refreshing finish. Showing great complexity and balance now, it's primed to enjoy now and over the next decade with savoury dishes, stews, paella, and aged cheese. Tasted November 18, 2023. 92+ points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
St. Hugo has been crafting fine wines since their first vintage in 1980. While Australia's Barossa Valley is renowned for Shiraz, Grenache has gained great attention and become a favourite varietal star as of late, contributing both floral and spicy characteristics in the wines. St. Hugo's GSM, is a blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mataro, which brings the best of the Barossa Valley in one elegant and inviting blend. The nose shows delicious dark plum, crushed raspberry, cherry, mocha, floral and graphite minerality notes. The palate highlights its elegant style, this GSM is yummy and light on its feet, showing great elegance and concentration, structure and impeccable balance. 2021 vintage was an exceptional vintage, arguably the best in 20 years, and St. Hugo GSM is a great representation of this fine vintage and one that is showing beautifully now and will shine bright the next 10+ years. Tasted November 2023. 93 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Quercus Vino 