Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
Matt's review: Deep colour, the nose shows black plum, currant, herbs, spice, and prominent graphite minerality. The palate is fresh with impressive balance. Fine grained and well integrated tannins make this Cabernet ripe to enjoy now and over the next five years with braised dishes, aged cheese, and BBQ burgers alike. Tasted November 2023. 90 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
October 2023 Ottawa, ON Matt’s review: Baileyana Firepeak Pinot Noir, named after the Acacia Baileyana trees found throughout California’s Central Coast, Baileyana has been a prominent figure in the Edna Valley wine scene over the past four decades. Located in California's coolest growing region near the Pacific Ocean, Baileyana showcases the ripe and fruity style... Continue Reading →
San Pedro's 1865 Selected Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is produced in Chile's Maipo Valley, along the foothills of the Andes Mountains where the gravelly soils, warm days and cool evenings create exceptional terroir for producing premium Cabernet Sauvignon. Las Piedras (the stones) Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 shows a very complex bouquet with delicious blackberry, plum, blueberry, black currant, freshly cut wood, forest floor, herbs, and distinct minerality. The palate highlights the harmony, structure, and elegance of this wine with dusty fine grained tannins adding additional textural complexity and making this wine a perfect complement to a grilled fillet mignon with reduced Port sauce. Enjoy 2023-2030. Tasted October 2023. 91 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
1 Mill Road's newest offering in their small portfolio of premium wines is their 2022 Chardonnay from the East Kelowna Slopes sub-GI (Okanagan's newest sub-GI which became official in 2022). Clean, crisp, and elegant, the nose revels citrus, delicate pear, wet stone, subtle spice, and a hint of melon. The palate is bright and lively with an elegant creamy texture. Exceptionally well balanced, the finish is long and bright with delicate orchard fruit and minerality persisting. Enjoy with pan seared halibut with a lemon butter sauce. Tasted October 2023 92 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Ottawa, ON October 2023 Matt's review: 1 Mill Road's newest offering in their small portfolio of premium Pinot Noir is Black Pine Pinot Noir 2022 - a single vineyard Pinot from the Black Pine Vineyard at the northern tip of the Naramata Bench. This single vineyard Narmata Bench Pinot incorporates clones 667, 777, 115, and... Continue Reading →
Today on CFRA News Talk Radio, CFRAs Patricia Boal and Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased some of their top recommended wines to enjoy this Thanksgiving and throughout Autumn. From Spanish Cava to Canadian Chardonnay, Riesling, or elegant Ontario Pinot Noir, refreshing Valpolicella Superiore, big and juicy California red blends, Matt’s Autumn-inspired wine recommendations include something for everyone, for every palate, every preference.
Cloudsley Cellars is situated on the Twenty Mile Bench in Ontario’s Niagara region, where they produce some of the finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir you'll taste. Their Twenty Mile Bench Chardonnay, happens to be their non-single vineyard offering, is absolutely delightful! Wow! So harmonious, flavourful, intriguing. Medium-full bodied with refreshing yellow apple, almond croissant, tropical fruit, and sweet banana chip flavours…oak influence adding some further aromatic, flavour, and textural complexity. It’s a love-at-first-sip wine you’ll fall in love with, well if you’re like me you will . Tasted October 2023. 93 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Matt's review: Nestled in one of the most picturesque settings you'll discover along the Naramata Bench you'll find 1 Mill Road's 'Home Block' vineyard where they produce their impressive Home Block Pinot Noir. This small vineyard is perched on a cliff above the shores of Lake Okanagan with its sun-drenched southwest aspect that encourages great fruit ripening, but it's the sage-lined amphitheater that sets it apart and plays a major role contributing to the unique terroir of this Okanagan Cru vineyard in-the-making. Home Block is planted exclusively with Dijon Clone 115 producing compact clusters that provide impressive aromatic complexity, finesse, structure, and overall balance in the finished wines. 2020 Home Block shows cherry, savoury dark fruits, herbs, dusty rose petals and earthy notes on the nose. A deeply coloured Pinot, with great aromatic intensity and overall structure, it's medium+ bodied with supple tannins - characteristics from both the Dijon 115 clone and the enhanced fruit-ripening features of the Home Block vineyard which protects from early spring frost and ensures full ripening even in the cooler vintages like 2019. The palate shows spicy and savoury fruit with fine grained tannins persisting on the finish. A Pinot Noir to keep your eyes on and one to look for early to ensure you get access to its very small production. Tasted September 2022 and June 2023, 93+ points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca Look for the next release of Home Block Pinot Noir at 1MillRoad.ca
Ottawa, ON June 2023 Matt’s review: Experience the latest 100% Pinot Noir Rosé from the emerging East Kelowna Slopes Sub-GI with 1 Mill Road’s inaugural vintage 2022 Rosé. It offers a sneak peek into what 1 Mill Road excels at, in particular their Home Block Pinot, which shows great potential to be an outstanding single... Continue Reading →
From France's Loire Valley, Henkell's Crémant de Loire 2016 is a blend of Chenin (60%), Chardonnay (20%), Pinot Noir (15%), and Cabernet Franc (5%), crafted in the traditional method to produce an elegant, refreshing, and very approachable sparkling wine which is perfect for any occasion. With several years of bottle age it's shinning now with great aromatic, flavour, and textural harmony. Inviting baked apple, pear and orchard fruit characteristics with a fine creamy mousse making this vintage 2016 Crémant de Loire a great choice to enjoy now and over the next couple years with autumn dishes, Lox bagel, canapés, and spicy Asian cuisine. Tasted September 2023
Quercus Vino 