Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
Matt's review: Stoneboat Vineyards are located along the Black Sage Road just south of Oliver, in the heart of Canada's wine capital. It's here where they produce their impressive Pinot Noir, which I highly recommend. 2019 Pinot Noir is a light ruby, the nose shows elegant cherry, herbs, and a touch of spice. The palate... Continue Reading →
Noble Ridge produced King's Ransom Cabernet Sauvignon once, being the 2015 vintage. For a winery in Okanagan Falls where Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and traditional method sparking wine seem ideally suited for their terroir, what a surprise to see they deliver such a spectacular expression of Okanagan Cabernet.
Ottawa, ON Matt's review: Situated along the Osoyoos East Bench, at the very southern limit of the Okanagan Valley, is where Moon Curser's vineyards are located. It's here in arguably the warmest vineyards in the Okanagan where you'll find the only plantings of Touriga Nacional in the Okanagan, and after tasting the wine you might... Continue Reading →
Planted with Dijon clones from Burgundy, in one of Niagara’s premiere ‘Grand Cru’ quality vineyards, on the Jordan Bench, 2020 vintage marks the fourth since the revival of LCJ in 2019 with the 2017 vintage crafted by Thomas Bachelder. Consistently one of the top quality Pinots in Ontario, the 2020 shows expressive field berries, savoury cherry, dark chocolate, herbs, flint, and wood spice on the nose. Medium bodied, the palate shows refreshing cherry, delicate spices, and great texture with impressive flinty minerality on the long finish. Le Grand Clos wines are well suited to enjoy youthful, and will evolve beautifully over a decade, perhaps longer. Tasted April 2023. 93 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Matt's review: Five Farms sources the fresh cream that makes the base of their premium Irish Cream Liqueur from five family-owned and operated farms in the south of Ireland in a region called County Cork. As they say a happy cow produces higher quality milk and one taste of Five Farms and you'll see why... Continue Reading →
A blend of 89% Merlot with 4% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc bringing additional aromatic and flavour complexity to this impressive wine. Ruby red with a garnet hue, the nose shows savoury dark fruits, plum, sweet spices, with a hint of wood smoke and familiar Okanagan Black Sage. A fantastic expression of premium Okanagan Merlot. Great intensity, exceptionally well balanced, the youthful fine grained tannins make this a great choice to enjoy with grilled steak, mushroom risotto, or firm aged cheese. Decant and enjoy over the next decade. Tasted September 2022. 93-94 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Donnafugata's Sul Vulcano Etna Bianco DOC highlights the incredible minerality and texture this volcanic region is renowned for. The nose shows ripe citrus, fragrant floral blossom, and a very inviting sea breeze salinity. The palate is refreshing with a creaminess and pronounced minerality on the long finish. Enjoy with seafood, creamy pasta, BBQ shrimp, or your favourite hors d'oeuvre. Tasted March 2023. 92 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
O'Rourke Twisted Pine Chardonnay 2020 14% abv - $80 - Sourced from Block 4, by the Estate's 'twisted Pine tree', where four clones of Chardonnay form this block. The nose shows honey, nutty characteristics, hay, and some tropical fruit. Medium-full bodied with great texture, its elegant and layered, showing impressive complexity for such a youthful vineyard. Keep your eyes on this one over the next decade, it's destined to become a Lake Country icon.
Culmina’s Decora Riesling shows great varietal characteristics with lively acidity and impressive minerality making this an exceptionally fresh and energetic wine. Crisp orchard fruit, honey, and minerality on the nose and palate. Enjoy with spicy cuisine, bratwurst, schnitzel, and Autumn soups. Enjoy 2022-2026. Tasted Fall 2022, 90+ points.
2018 Zymé Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico (barrel sample)– Big and bold, deeply coloured, the nose shows rich dried red and dark fruits, with fragrant balsamic and tobacco notes. Fresh with great intensity of flavours, the palate is loaded with delicious dried fruit, raspberry, Fragrant nose showing dark fruits, roasted beets, sweet spices, herbs. Full bodied, with lively youthful tannis, there’s a remarkable freshness with dried dark fruits and raspberry notes persisting. An great wine from an iconic producer, and a wine you’ll want to enjoy over the next few decades. Drink 2028-2048+. 94-95+ points.
Quercus Vino 