Ottawa, ON May 2018 Matt's review: Icellars Estate Winery's Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from the Twenty Mile Bench Wismer Homestead Vineyard, further demonstrates just how exceptional the wines from this boutique winery can be. In its inaugural vintage, this small production (120 cases) wine is beautifully structured with crisp acidity, great exotic and tropical fruit characteristics,... Continue Reading →
Wine and Spirits for that special mom this Mother’s Day…
Ottawa, ON May 10, 2018 Today on CTV Morning Live, in preparation for Mother's Day, Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased some terrific wine and spirits that are guaranteed to be loved by Mom and certain to help put a smile on her face! Check out the CTV Morning Live video here. In addition to making mama... Continue Reading →
94 point #wine review: @Checkmatewinery 2013 End Game #Merlot
April 2018 Ottawa, ON Matt's review: Checkmate Artisanal Winery produces world-class Chardonnay and Merlot from their Golden Mile Bench winery situated in Canada’s wine capital, Oliver, BC. The 2013 End Game Merlot is an outstanding expression of ultra premium Okanagan Merlot. Sourced from the Osoyoos East Bench and Black Sage Bench, End Game displays a... Continue Reading →
Malbec World Day – what Malbec will you be celebrating with today?
Ottawa, ON April 17, 2018 By Matt Steeves Malbec World Day is celebrated to pay homage to the influence of the late president, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento (1811-1888), who made it his mission to transform Argentina’s wine industry. On this day in 1853, he proposed diversifying and expanding the country’s wine industry, including a school of agriculture,... Continue Reading →
93 pts #wine review: Icellars 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon from NOTL, ON – $60 winery direct
Ottawa, ON April 2018 Matt's review: 2016 was the warmest vintage ever recorded in Niagara, which resulted in the grapes at Icellars' Icel Vineyard being able to hang on the vines until November 17 and be picked at 26.2 brix with full phenolic and flavour ripeness and great acidic structure. Icellars Cabernet Sauvignon is a... Continue Reading →
92 pts wine review: Icellars Estate Winery Arinna (red blend) from NOTL, ON – $42
Ottawa, ON April 2018 Matt's review: Boom, this expressive red blend from Icellars Estate Winery in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, consists of 50% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, and a splash of Malbec to produce a beautiful balanced and well structured wine. Fragrant sweet spices, plum, black cherry, mocha, black tea, and pipe tobacco... Continue Reading →
92+ pts #wine review: #Icellars 2016 Chardonnay
Ottawa, ON April 2018 Matt's review: Icellars are producing some of Canada's finest wines, from their boutique Niagara-On-The-Lake winery. Their 2016 Chardonnay (130 cases produced), from their Icel (estate) Vineyard, displays a light gold colour, revealing baked apple, tart pineapple, melon, croissant, white floral aromas, and minerality on the nose. Medium bodied and remarkably fresh, this... Continue Reading →
wine review: The Yearling Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra South Australia – $13.95 @LCBO
Ottawa, ON April 2018 Matt's review: From the renowned Coonawarra wine region in South Australia, The Yearling Cabernet Sauvignon shows remarkable maturity and complexity on the nose with plum, mulberry, pepper, eucalyptus, leather and grilled brisket. The palate is dry with black cherry and fine grained dark chocolate persisting on the finish. Impressive structure that... Continue Reading →
#wine review: The Yearling Sauvignon Blanc from Coonawarra South Australia
Ottawa, ON April 2018 Matt's review: The Yearling Sauvignon Blanc, from South Australia's Coonawarra wine region, is a very ripe and refreshing wine that's perfectly suited for enjoying throughout the spring and summer. Very aromatic with sweet pear, lime, lemongrass, and a hint of minerality on the nose, while the palate offers mouthwatering acidity with... Continue Reading →
Women in Wine event in Toronto – a great Mother’s Day gift for any wine lover!
May 5 in Toronto, join four wonderful female wine personalities from some of the world's famous wine regions, including Champagne France, Napa California, Niagara Ontario, and Mendoza Argentina. I've had the pleasure of meeting Louise Engel of Featherstone Estate Winery as well as Megan Schofield of Robert Mondavi, and they're very dynamic and talented wine... Continue Reading →
