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.
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
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.
When it comes to premium Pinot and Chardonnay in the Okanagan, I've always found the vineyards in the centre of the Okanagan, along the Naramata Bench and in Okanagan Falls, consistently produce the finest expressions. One of those top producers in Okanagan Falls is Meyer Family Vineyards. Last fall I had the pleasure of visiting JAK Meyer and the team at Meyer Family Vineyards in Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, Canada. It had been ~5 years since I last visited so it was a real treat to be back in Okanagan Falls sampling JAKs wines from their OK Falls and Naramata Bench vineyards.
Rosehall Run's single vineyard 'Righteous Dude' Riesling hails from the Nedelko Vineyard on the Twenty Mile Bench of the Niagara Peninsula. A cold winter saw a reduction of crops in 2022, but those low yields brought great concentration, structure, and balance to the 2022 vintage. Fresh and expressive, this Riesling shows fragrant stone fruit, pear, lychee, and honey on the nose. Repeat on the crisp and off-dry palate with honey, pear, and refreshing minerality persisting. A terrific single vineyard Riesling which will complement a wide range of dishes, especially spicy fare, hors d'oeuvres, Autumn fare, and artisanal cheese boards. Enjoy now and over the next five years. Tasted August 2023. 91 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
First impressions of this single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from @hiddenbench … wow! Béton (as in concrete vessel fermented and aged) and sourced from the Rosomel Vineyard on Ontario’s Beamsville Bench. Expressive, lovely lemon grass, pear, lemon meringue, floral, flinty minerality, and superbly balanced. Certified organic, and absolutely delicious! Bravo @hiddenbench ! Tasted August 2023. 93 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Ottawa, ON August 2023 Matt's review: Rosehall Run’s top tier Pinot Noir, St. Cindy, makes it's debut for the incredible 2020 vintage. Remarkably fresh, complex, and elegant, the nose shows raspaberry, cherry, herbs, wet stone minerality, some tobacco and rose petals. Superbly balanced with fine silky tannins and refreshing acidity, with field berries, spice, and... Continue Reading →
Quercus Vino 