wine review: Sempre Mio Marsanne 2023 – VQA Lincoln Lakeshore – Corey Mio Home Vineyard

Corey Mio's debut wine from their Beamsville-based home vineyard in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation of the Niagara Peninsula. Sempre Mio Marsanne 2023 is a low production (105 cases) blend of 87% Marsanne, 13% Viognier (clone 1042), which was co-fermented following harvest on October 5th 2023. Natural primary and malolactic fermentation in a combo of 2nd fill and neutral French oak barrels for 11 months. The nose is very pretty and fresh, with honeydew melon, poached pear, quince, roasted nuts, and lanolin. Dry and deliciously creamy, with impressive refreshing acidity for this varietal, the palate shows layers of ripe orchard fruit, pithy citrus, chamomile, and custard, with a slight nuttiness on the finish. A unique wine from Niagara, and one that is certain to impress any palate given its approachable style yet very complex bouquet and flavour profile. Enjoy over the next 5-10 years with roast chicken, creamy pasta, or pan-fried trout with a butter sauce and honey-mango compote. Tasted November 2024. 93+ points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca

wine review: Stonebridge Reserve Cabernet Franc 2019, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Canada

Stonebridge 2019 Reserve Cabernet Franc comes from a single vineyard along the Twenty Mile Bench which is renowned for producing world-class cool climate wines. This reserve tier Cabernet Franc is exceptionally elegant and refreshing with delicious dark fruit, cherry, chocolate covered cherries, counterbalanced with expressive graphite, tobacco, and earthy notes. The palate is exceptionally fresh and vibrant with more cherry, plum, and dusty fine tannins, beautifully integrated, leading to a long refreshing finish. Enjoy over the next decade with game dishes, braised lamb, or wood-fired pizza. Tasted October 2024. 93 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca

wine review: Foreign Affair Winery Dream 2020

Dream incorporates some appassimento grapes in an expressive and textured Bordeaux blend that's sure to please. 52% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Franc, and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, with a small portion left to wither and concentrate the flavours, the result it a deeply coloured wine with aromas of bramble berry pie, Saskatoon berry crumble, anise, dark plum, chocolate orange, and herbs. The palate highlights the fleshy dark fruit, more plum, and dark chocolate with fine tannins leading to a refreshing and finely textured finish. A great wine to enjoy with bold BBQ, Mexican chicken mole, or wood fired pizza. Tasted October 2024. 91 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca

wine review: Cloudsley Cellars 2020 Foxcroft Vineyard Chardonnay, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario, Canada

Each year Cloudsley Cellars are producing some of the best expressions of Canadian Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from their winery situated along the Twenty Mile Bench of the Niagara Peninsula. Their 2020 Foxcroft Vineyard Chardonnay is no exception. Proprietor Adam Lowy and winemaker Matt Smith source the grapes for this wine from a select parcel of the highly acclaimed Wismer Foxcroft Vineyard along the Twenty Mile Bench. Foxcroft Vineyard was planted in 1996 with Dijon Clone 96, and for the past two decades Foxcroft Vineyard has been renowned for producing many of the region's best wines, earing it a Cru-quality reputation, arguably one of the best single vineyards in the region, if not the best.

95 points wine review: Stratus Vineyards White Label Cabernet Franc “Amphora” 2020, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, Canada

Matt’s review: Stratus White Label Cabernet Franc “Amphora” 2020 is the latest release from this renowned Niagara-on-the-Lake winery. Harnessing ancient winemaking traditions with a modern twist, Stratus has produced an exceptional terroir-focused wine that beautifully showcases the greatness achievable in Niagara Cabernet Franc. 2020 was a 5 star vintage in Ontario, culminating with ideal conditions... Continue Reading →

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