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
Ottawa, ON June 2020 Matt's review: Jackson-Triggs' 2016 Entourage Grand Reserve Brut - A very impressive high quality sparking wine from this well known Niagara-on-the-Lake winery. At $29.95, Jackson-Triggs' Entourage Grand Reserve Brut has become a Sommelier favourite with each... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON April 2020 Matt's review: Benjamin Bridge has been making a real fizz in the sparkling wine scene over the past two decades. This Nova Scotia (Canada) based winery is producing sparkling wines that rival those from Champagne... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON October 2019 Matt's review: Another unique small production hand crafted wine from the talented Niagara-based winemaker, Marco Piccoli, of Jackson-Triggs. Winemakers have many tools to help them produce expressive and different styles of wines each year. Ideally the... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON November 2018 Today on CTV Morning Live, we're talking winter wines, otherwise stated, wines that complement the season...wines that are suited for entertaining, enjoying with comfort food, and enjoying this holiday season and throughout the winter. Check out... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON October 2018 Matt's review: Icellars 2016 Pinot Noir, 150 cases total production from the Icel (estate) Vineyard in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake. Inviting sweet spice box aromas with fresh herbs, plum, and cherry notes showing the complexity of the wine from... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON October 2018 Matt's review: Featherstone's Four Feathers blends four cool climate white grapes: Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and a splash of Gewürztraminer, in one fragrant, creamy, and refreshing wine that's both super versatile and super value priced. Pale... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON September 29, 2018 Matt's review: Burrowing Owl's 2015 Cabernet Franc, from the southern part of British Columbia's pocket desert, the Okanagan Valley, is a deep ruby colour showing rich and concentrated dark plum, black cherry, blueberry pie, grilled peppers,... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON September 2018 Matt's review: Black Sage Vineyard 2015 Merlot: Deep ruby red, the nose shows dark plum, stewed cherries, mocha, smoky notes, and its namesake in spades, Black Sage - a hallmark of fine Okanagan Merlot. Silky smooth... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON February 2017 I love tasting wines (obviously!) and am always keen to taste new wines in the Ontario market so I can share any new personal favourite wine picks with fellow wine lovers on social media and via... Continue Reading →
CTV Ottawa Morning Live June 30, 2017 Theme: Sangria and Summer Cocktails for Canada Day Celebrations Today on CTV Morning Live, CTV's Lianne Laing and Sommelier Matt Steeves served up some easy to make and super refreshing ice cold sangria... Continue Reading →
CTV Ottawa Morning Live June 15th, 2017 Theme: Iconic Canadian Wines for Canada 150 Celebrations (and Father’s Day gifting!) Overview: Today on CTV Morning Live, CTV’s Lianne Laing, Henry Burris, and Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased some iconic Canadian... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON June 2017 Matt's review: Stratus Red 2012 - This impressive Niagara-on-the-Lake winery consistently produces some of the finest wines available in Ontario. 2012 was the best growing season the winery had experienced which enabled the grapes to... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON June 2017 Matt's review: For over 20 years Burrowing Owl has been producing some of Canada's finest wines, from the Wine Capital of Canada, Oliver, BC. Their 2013 Meritage (Bordeaux blend) is a blend of 39% Merlot,... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON April 2017 Matt's review: Icellars Estate Winery 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the finest Ontario Cabernet Sauvignon's I can recall tasting! This boutique winery from Niagara-on-the-Lake produces a very limited amount of wine, including only 150 cases... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON April 2017 Matt's review: Tidal Bay is uniquely Nova Scotian, in fact this is Nova Scotia's first wine appellation and also the name of their signature white wine. Benjamin Bridge's Tidal Bay is a unique blend of L’Acadie,... Continue Reading →
Quercus Vino 