Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
Ottawa, ON November 2016 Son Vida Malbec 2012 Matt's review: Wow, what a delicious, robust and elegant single vineyard expression of Mendoza Malbec. The grapes were hand harvested from their Paraje Altamira vineyard at an elevation of over 1km. Rich dark berries, plum, pepper, cacao, underbrush, leather, and cedar on the nose and finish. This wine... Continue Reading →
November, 2016 Ottawa, ON Terra Terrae Organic Cava - $15.95 Matt's review: Cava continues to be a favourite sparking wine for its great value, consumer and food friendliness, and quality. Produced using the same methods as Champange, Cava differs slightly in that it's always been produced with the these three grapes: Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada. What... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON October 2016 Elderton Ode To Lorraine 2013 Matt's review: A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Shirza, 4% Merlot, all from the Barossa Valley. Gorgeous warm baking spices, black fruit, plum, cherry and pepper on the nose. Full bodied, with a velvety smooth texture, it's dry with black berry, plum, and spice on the... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON November 2016 Barón de Ley Reserva 2010 Matt's review: What an incredible wine for the price! The colour is a deep ruby red with a hint of garnet, the nose shows ripe dark fruit, black cherry, plum, fig, baking spices, mocha, bacon, and cedar - needless to say this is an incredibly complex... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON November 2016 Hidden Bench Terroir Caché Meritage Matt's review: The 2012 is an assemblage of 46% Merlot with 25% Cab Franc, 16% Cab Sauv and 13% Malbec each vinified separately then aged for 21 months in French oak. Deep ruby red, with a rich and inivitng nose of ripe dark berries, plum, and... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON November 2016 Quintorelli Primofiore 2012 Matt's review: Medium ruby with a garnet hue, Quintarelli's Primofiore 2012 shows rustic balsamic notes, stewed and dried fruit, plum, and spice. Soft and inviting this is a very interesting and delicious wine from the land of Romeo and Juliet. Highly recommended and what a great Christmas... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON November 2016 Barone Ricasoli Torre della Trappola Brunello di Montalcino 2010 Matt's review: Ruby red with a garnet hue, it's packed with smoky dark fruit! This bold wine has great structure with high acid and big tannins making it ideally suited for cellaring and enjoying with rich Italian cuisine. Decant prior to service... Continue Reading →
More and more celebrities are getting into the wine and spirits business for a variety of reasons, including their passion for wine & spirits, and the fact that they can afford it! Celebrities like Drake, Dave Matthews, the Tragically Hip, and Dan Aykroyd are all doing really impressive things in the industry, and today we’re going to taste some of their latest ‘hits’. Sommelier Matt Steeves has prepared a nice line-up of Celebrity wines and spirits for us today.
Ottawa, ON November 2016 Sanchez Romate Hnos Cardenal Mendoza Solera Gran Reserva Brandy Review: Butterscotch galore! This sweet and beautifully balanced Brandy, made with PX (Pedro Ximenez) grape from the Jerez region of Spain, would be dynamite with holiday fruit cake, rum cake, or while enjoying a fine Cuban cigar, or one of my favourite... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON November 2016 13th Street Winery - Sandstone Gamay Noir 2013 Review: Medium ruby red, with red berries, plum, leather, and cured meat on the nose. Repeat on palate with mushrooms and balsamic notes added in to the layers of flavours. Great balance with just the right amount of tannins making this ideal with... Continue Reading →
