Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
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, CFRAs Patricia Boal and Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased some of their top recommended wines for entertaining and gifting this holiday season.
Hester Creek’s 2022 Syrah is a wine that demands a place in your collection. South Okanagan terroir in a glass... such a great wine at a very attractive price!
Today on CTV Morning Live and CFRA News Talk 580, Sommelier Matt Steeves was introducing us to the latest trend in the premium wine scene … Orange wine!
Ottawa, ON August 2024 Matt’s review: Hester Creek’s inaugural GSM (45% Grenache, 38% Syrah (includes 2% co-fermented Viognier), and 17% Mourvèdre) from one of the hottest vineyard sites in Canada, in the far south of the Okanagan Valley. “Vineyard Eleven” is located on the east side of Osoyoos Lake, practically a stones throw to the US... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON July 2024 Matt’s review: Pinot Noir from the Okanagan Valley’s Naramata Bench can be absolutely incredible as they have great terroir for producing expressive terroir-driven wines thanks to the mineral rich soils, varying elevations and west facing aspects, northen latitude with long days, significant diurnal temperature differences, and of course the moderating effects... Continue Reading →
The Judge 2021 is a deep ruby colour with slight garnet hue, the nose shows dark plum, black berries, dark cherry, savoury desert herbs, cedar, earth, and graphite. The palate shows great intensity of flavour with refreshing plum, fine integrated dusty tannins, with savoury dark fruit, spice, and pepper persisting on the long textured finish. A serious wine that beautifully showcases the unique vintage characteristics from this esteemed Golden Mile Bench estate. Enjoy over the next decade with rosemary and garlic grilled lamb chops or Parmesan crusted steak skewers. Tasted July 2024 and July 2025. 94 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Ottawa, ON July 2024 Matt’s review: From the warm 2023 vintage which saw the highest growing degree days on record from April to August, Hester Creek’s Pinot Bianco was sourced from their beautiful mountain-side estate vineyards along the Golden Mile Bench. The nose is clean with vibrant stone fruit, pear, exotic fruits and a hint... Continue Reading →
Today on CTV Morning Live (and later on CFRA News Talk 580), Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased an impressive line-up of world-class wines from all across Canada that highlight how vibrant the Canadian wine scene has become.
Beautifully integrated fine grained tannins highlight both the vineyard characteristics but also the winemakers touch in capturing the best expression of this Pinot through mindful winemaking practices including delicate pressing and use of large oak vessels (2100 L Foudres) to appropriately frame without masking the wine.
Quercus Vino 