Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
Ottawa, ON October 2018 Matt's review: Icellars 2016 Pinot Noir, 150 cases total production from the Icel (estate) Vineyard in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake. Inviting sweet spice box aromas with fresh herbs, plum, and cherry notes showing the complexity of the wine from this special vineyard that has been producing nothing short of exceptional wines with each vintage.... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON October 2018 Matt's review: Featherstone's Four Feathers blends four cool climate white grapes: Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and a splash of Gewürztraminer, in one fragrant, creamy, and refreshing wine that's both super versatile and super value priced. Pale straw in colour, it's loaded with sweet orchard and tropical fruits, fragrant floral blossom, and... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON September, 2018 Matt's review: Icellars is excelling in the production of high quality red wines, which is earning them a reputation as one of the top fine wine producing wineries in Ontario. Their low production Syrah (145 cases) has a deceiving light ruby red appearance which bursts with expressive strawberry, smoky plum, black... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON October 2018 Matt's review: Icellars Wiyana Wanda is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, all from their Icel estate vineyards in Niagara on the Lake. Deeply coloured, the nose shows rich dark fruit, dark plum, cassis, black cherry, sweet spices, cedar, and graphite. The palate offers fleshy ripe... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON September 29, 2018 Matt's review: Burrowing Owl's 2015 Cabernet Franc, from the southern part of British Columbia's pocket desert, the Okanagan Valley, is a deep ruby colour showing rich and concentrated dark plum, black cherry, blueberry pie, grilled peppers, cedar, scorched earth and black sage. Full bodied with great structure, the rich dark fruits,... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON September 2018 Matt's review: Black Sage Vineyard 2015 Merlot: Deep ruby red, the nose shows dark plum, stewed cherries, mocha, smoky notes, and its namesake in spades, Black Sage - a hallmark of fine Okanagan Merlot. Silky smooth and very inviting with layers of dark chocolate, plum, and black cherry persisting on the... Continue Reading →
Saskatchewan, Canada August 2018 Matt's review: Featherstone's Cuvée Joy Rosé is a fine example of the mineral-driven premium traditional method sparkling wines that Featherstone Winery is producing on the Twenty Mile Bench. Delicate strawberry, cherry, and rhubarb notes are supported by refreshing red fruit acidity and limestone minerality on the finish. Paired beautifully with watermelon, feta,... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON August 2018 Matt's review: Perfumed orchard and tropical fruits with fresh cut grapefruit on the nose. Fresh and fruity with crisp orchard fruit and creamy poached pear flavours persisting on the finish. Lundy Manor Proprietor's White is perfectly suited for entertaining and enjoying with a fine meal such as grilled pork tenderloin with... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON July 2018 Matt's review: Ruby red with a garnet hue, Lundy Manor Proprietor's Blend shows an inviting bouquet of spiced plum, cherry, mocha, cedar, and sweet pipe tobacco notes. Medium bodied and very well balanced, this Niagara red blend shows layers of dried fruit and herbs, with delicate tannins persisting on the finish.... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON July 2018 Matt's review: Niagara's ultra premium boutique winery, Icellars Estate Winery, produced a stunning Riesling Icewine that highlights the strength of the exceptional 2016 vintage. Picked on December 24th, and bottled in spring 2017, this decadent and refreshing wine showcases beautifully the strengths of Niagara Riesling in a style that Canada does better... Continue Reading →
Quercus Vino 