wine review: 2022 Paraschos Sauvignon Riserva JZB Vineyard Collio DOC, Italy

Paraschos, from San Floriano del Collio, in the far north east of Collio, has grown a reputation for producing expressive, bold, skin-fermented wines that don't hold anything back. Their direct press wines are exceptional too, such as the Paraschos 2022 Sauvignon Riserva. Sourced from a new Cru vineyard in their portfolio near Gradis’ciutta, named JZB for Jazbine that means Giasbana, the small part of the village of San Floriano del Collio where the vineyard is located. They waited for the grapes to achieve perfect maturation at harvest, then their low intervention winemaking took over...allowing spontaneous fermentation on wild yeasts (no commercial yeast in their winery), with two years of aging in large Slovenian oak barrels (10-25hl) on fine lees. Bottled without filtration resulting in a super expressive wine, showing ripe fruits, stone fruits, exotic fruits, citrus zest, herbs, and a touch of chamomile tea. This expression of Sauvignon is pure terroir and highlights the ability they have to make world-class wines across their portfolio. This is an intriguing wine that I plan to follow as it evolves over the next decade and as winemaker Jannis Paraschos fine-tunes working with this impressive new Cru vineyard in their portfolio. Tasted February 2025. 95+ points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca

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Raising your elbows and a glass of delicious Canadian wine this Spring – Being patriotic never tasted so good! As aired on CTV – March 31, 2025

Today on CTV, CTVs Stefan Keys, Melissa Lamb, and Sommelier Matt Steeves were tasting an all-Ontario line-up of local wines and spirits which are delicious, crafted right here in Ontario, and are easily accessible winery-direct or at LCBO. With everything going on these days, having some delicious local Canadian wines and spirits is the perfect way to show your national pride and stay refreshed this spring. 

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Raising your elbows and a glass of delicious Canadian wine this Spring – Being patriotic never tasted so good! As aired on CFRA News Talk Radio – March 28, 2025

Today on CFRA, CFRAs Patricia Boal and Sommelier Matt Steeves were tasting an all-Ontario line-up of local wines and spirits which are delicious, crafted right here in Ontario, and are easily accessible winery-direct or at LCBO. With everything going on these days, having some delicious local Canadian wines and spirits is the perfect way to show your national pride and stay refreshed this spring. 

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wine review: Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery Elisha’s Chardonnay 2018 – Niagara Peninsula VQA – $26.95

Light gold colour, the nose is inviting with rich orchard fruit, baked apple, pineapple, melon, and a hint of hazelnut. Full-bodied and creamy, offering an array of luscious orchard and tropical fruit flavors. The winemaker's careful attention in crafting this fine wine included fermenting in stainless steel followed by aging in French oak, and a small amount of Hungarian and Bulgarian oak. The result is a great expression of high quality and great value Niagara Chardonnay. Rich, ripe, and creamy, it’s a wine that showcases both the depth and power of the 2018 vintage. A testament to the skill of winemaker Sue-Ann Staff and the high quality fruit she's working with to offer such impressive wines at great prices. Enjoy over the next five years. Tasted March 2025. 90 points. Matt Steeves

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wine review: Black Bank Hill Cabernet Franc 2022, Lincoln Lakeshore VQA, Ontario, Canada – $40 winery-direct

the earthy sweetness of roasted beets. These aromas combine to create a nuanced and multi-layered bouquet that invites deep exploration. On the palate, elegant and beautifully composed. Medium to full-bodied, it reveals a repeating pattern of dusty plum, raspberry, black tea, and graphite, which carry through from the nose with great persistence. The balance between fruit, structure, and acidity is impressive. Proprietor/vintner Taylor Emmerson and winemaker Jonathan McLean have beautifully crafted a wine that is sophisticated, complex, yet so approachable. Fine, ripe tannins frame the wine’s complexity, offering a smooth yet substantial mouthfeel. The acidity adds freshness, while the wine’s rich fruit and savory depth linger on a long, pleasant finish. For those seeking a nuanced, terroir-driven wine, Black Bank Hill Cabernet Franc 2022 offers an exciting opportunity to experience the potential of this region and how big reds can shine in Niagara. Its deep, complex flavors and structured elegance make it a perfect candidate for medium-term cellaring, though its current expression is perfectly primed for enjoyment as soon as it's released in late March/early spring 2025. Black Bank Hill Cabernet Franc 2022 is a stellar example of Niagara Cabernet Franc, offering a complex mix of fruit, savory notes, and minerality. At $40 a bottle, this wine delivers great value for collectors and enthusiasts alike, offering both immediate enjoyment and medium-term aging potential.

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