Torre di Terzolan's Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2019 caught my attention at Anteprima Amarone this year. In a flight of 72 Amarones from 2019, Torre di Terzolan's was a star. While the 2019 vintage is anticipated to be released to market only in 2026, it was showing beautifully already and merits top accolades. This is a wine you should seek out and stock up on.
The 2023 vintage of Nova 7 shows great finesse, harmony, and balance. Another impressive vintage! The most elegant vintage I recall.
Coming to LCBO on April 13th, Staete Landt State of Grace Pinot Noir from the Rapaura & Brancott sub appellations of Marlborough, NZ. Light ruby, the nose shows cherry, plum, herbs, rose petals, earthy notes, and minerality. The palate reveals the refreshing tart fruit, fine grained tannins, and harmonious balance. A serious Pinot with its impressive structure and complexity, a fantastic expression of this top of the line State of Grace label Pinot. Enjoy over the next five years with grilled lamb or pork tenderloin. Tasted April 2024. 93 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca
March 2024 Matt's review: Craggy Range Te Kahu Gimblett Gravels Single Vineyard Proprietary Red 2021 from Hawke's Bay, New Zealand - A blend of 49% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot. This deep... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON March 2024 Matt's review: Originating from the Santa Maria Valley within Santa Barbara County, California, Cambria Estate Winery's Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir showcases the character of ripe and spicy California Pinot that so many enjoy around the world.... Continue Reading →
Matt’s review: Flashback to tasting the impressive terroir-focused wines that Robert Princic of Gradis’Ciutta winery is producing in Collio DOC. This one being the 2017 Chardonnay. Incredibly elegant and complex, loaded with crisp orchard fruit, brioche, lees, and minerality. Remarkable... Continue Reading →
Let me introduce you to Contrada Palui, a relatively new Valpolicella producer that has entered the market with one of the most elegant and expressive terroir-focused wines you'll find in all of Valpolicella, and it's an Amarone!
Renowned Valpolicella producer, Tommasi, launched an ultra-premium label after two decades in the making. It's called De Buris (shown as DE BVRIS on the label), and they produce one single vineyard riserva Amarone from the La Groletta vineyard in Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella.
2019 Zýmē Amarone showcases the excellence of the 2019 vintage and demonstrates what is possible with this iconic winery. Celestino Gaspari, the winemaker behind Zýmē, is now one of the most renowned names in Valpolicella winemaking. His journey began alongside the iconic Giuseppe Quintarelli, arguably the most revered producer in Valpolicella history. These formative years working with Quintarelli laid the foundation for Gaspari's progressive and curious approach, which has led Zýmē to become one of the most respected ultra-premium wineries in Valpolicella.
This is an outstanding Cru-quality wine that showcases the the pedigree of the terroir and vision of the winemaker in crafting such well integrated and elegant age-worthy wines. Highly recommend acquiring and cellaring wines from Rubinelli Vajol, as they showcase the greatness in premium Valpolicella wines. Tasted February 2024. 97+ points.
An impressive single vineyard Riserva Amarone with decades of age ahead of it.
La Fabriseria Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva (and the associated single vineyard Valpolicella Classico Superiore) is a fantastic example of the world-class wines being produced in Valpolicella and the potential its wines have for decades of cellaring. Highly recommend La Fabriseria vineyard wines and enjoying them over decades.
Impressive 94 point wine coming to LCBO on February 3, 2024
After tasting hundreds of wines, here's my short list of most memorable wines tasted in 2023. Put these on your must-try list for 2024!
Ottawa, ON January 2024 Matt’s review: Situated high up on Golden Mile Bench in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, Hester Creek’s vineyards, including 50+ year old vines, produce expressive wines showcasing the greatness achievable in the Okanagan. Garland 2020... Continue Reading →
Matt's review: Rottensteiner Sauvignon Blanc 2022 from Bolzano, Italy. An outstanding expression of mountain influence Sauvignon Blanc from the Alto Adige DOC in northern Italy. It's the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc from the renowned Bolzano-based family winery, Rottensteiner, who's family name translates to... Continue Reading →
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