Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
Ottawa, ON February 2025 Matt's review: From Lailey's vineyards along the picturesque Niagara River Parkway, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, their off-dry Riesling is an elegant expression of premium Niagara Riesling. The nose shows a fragrant bouquet of orchard and stone fruit, apple, pear, with wildflower honey and floral blossoms and impressive steely minerality. The palate repeats,... Continue Reading →
Founded in 1985, Rizzini is a small, family-owned winery in the heart of Franciacorta, Italy, dedicated exclusively to crafting vintage Blanc de Blancs sparkling wines from their 'single cru' vineyard. Nestled at the base of the Monticelli Brusati hills, their two-hectare estate was replanted in 1995 and 2000, focusing entirely on Chardonnay — where they have been focused on producing the finest expressions of traditional method sparkling wine from their unique terroir each year.
Tenuta delle Ripalte is a stunning Mediterranean resort and winery located on Elba Island, off the coast of Tuscany, north of Rome and south of Florence. Nestled within the rugged landscapes of the island’s southeastern coast, the estate is part of a sprawling 450-hectare private nature reserve, offering breathtaking views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and their 16 hectares of rolling vineyards.
Ottawa, ON January 2025 Matt’s review: 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 2022, celebrates the Year of the... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON January 2025 Matt’s review: Marco Felluga Russiz Superiore Collio Bianco Col Disôre 2017 - A Gem from Collio DOC Nestled in the picturesque hills of Collio DOC in Italy, Russiz Superiore Collio Bianco Col Disôre by renowned producer Marco Felluga is a stunning representation of the region’s rich viticultural heritage. Drawing its name... Continue Reading →
Ottawa,ON January 2025 Matt’s review: 2014 Materium Cabernet Sauvignon, Maybach Family Vineyards, Napa Valley The 2014 Materium Cabernet Sauvignon from Maybach Family Vineyards is a remarkable wine of exceptional provenance, a testament to the dedication and craftsmanship that has defined the Maybach name for over a century. This single vineyard Napa Cab was sourced from... Continue Reading →
The 2022 vintage presented challenges, yet it resulted in fruit of exceptional quality. Hester Creek's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the remarkable potential of this variety in the southern Okanagan. Despite a cooler-than-usual spring, the extended growing season allowed the fruit to fully ripen, with some even slightly withering on the vine. This extended maturation resulted in a beautifully balanced and harmonious Cabernet with impressive aromatic and flavor complexity. The wine reveals a deep ruby color, with a nose offering fragrant dark fruits, sweet spices, dried fruits, cassis, forest floor, and a hint of graphite. On the palate, dark fruits, spices, and herbal notes persist, leading to a long, lingering finish. The tannins are exceptionally soft and well-integrated, a true testament to both the terroir and winemaking expertise. Tasted over two days, the wine showed even greater harmony and enjoyment on day two. Best enjoyed between 2025 and 2035, with decanting recommended before serving. Tasted January 2025. 93+ points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Ottawa, ON January 2025 Matt’s review: This organic Shiraz (98% Shiraz, 2% Cabernet) from the Western Cape province in South Africa where the Indian and Atlantic oceans’ influence helps produce a very fresh and lively wine. The nose shows crunchy blackberries, plum, herbs, and spice, while the palate repeats with refreshing dark fruit and spice... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON December 2024 Matt’s review: Checkmate 2021 Little Pawn Chardonnay With each vintage CheckMate further demonstrates their exceptional winemaking artistry highlighting the great potential of the impressive vineyards they work with to craft their world-class wines. While 2021 brought unprecedented challenges during the growing season, the team at CheckMate delivered the consistent high-quality standard... Continue Reading →
Today on CFRA News Talk Radio with Patricia Boal, and later on CTV Morning Live, Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased a few of his top rated drinks for the occasion including how to jazz up some delicious sparkling wines by making ‘Champagne Cocktails’ to enjoy this New Year’s Eve.
Quercus Vino 