Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
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
Ottawa, Canada September 2023: Matt’s review: Renato Keber is a renowned winery located in northeastern Italy’s Collio DOC wine region along the Slovenian border. If you’re not familiar with this region or producer, take note as they produce some of the most complex and sought after white wines in Italy making them difficult to source... Continue Reading →
2019 Monterey Pinot is very approachable with impressive complexity on the nose and palate, something you don’t always get that this price point. Look for cherry, raspberry, plum, fragrant herbs with a subtle earthiness and flinty minerality on the nose and palate. Ripe, refreshing, and polished, it’s showing beautifully now and will be great over the next few years paired alongside braised grouse with bacon and sage, grilled pork tenderloin with a cherry compote, or wood-fired Margherita pizza. All great pairings with this value-priced Pinot. Tasted September 2023. 92 points.
A wine I suspect many will love given it's profile and price. Highly recommend checking out this new release from Tom Gore Vineyards and see for yourself. $19.95 at LCBO.
The most elegant and impressive vintage of this wine I recall tasting in the last five years.
Quercus Vino 