June 2025 Matt's review: From one of Niagara’s most compelling single vineyards, Cloudsley's 2023 Wingfield Vineyard Chardonnay delivers a stunning expression of cool-climate winemaking and site-specific nuance. The Wingfield Vineyard, planted in 1993 with Clone 76 Chardonnay, lies just uphill from the celebrated Foxcroft Vineyard on the Twenty Mile Bench, yet it carves its own... Continue Reading →
wine review: St. Hugo Chardonnay 2023 – Eden Valley, Australia – now at LCBO
St. Hugo Chardonnay stands as a great example of Eden Valley’s cool-climate elegance. From the first encounter, the nose is alive with zesty citrus, delicate stone fruit, and a blend of fresh herbs, melon, and a whisper of pineapple. These aromas are beautifully restrained, leaning towards crisp citrus rather than the heavy tropical fruit notes found in warmer climates. An exceptional expression of Eden Valley, this wine is already impressive, yet it holds the potential to age gracefully over the next decade.
Wine review: Stratus White 2021
Stratus White 2021 combines elegance and intensity in every sip. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with a delectable culinary creation, it’s sure to leave a lasting impression, exactly why I recommend buying by the case. Although it’s showing beautifully now, expect further evolution and complexity gains over the next decade. Tasted July 2023, 94+ points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
wine review: Andrew Peller Signature Series Chardonnay Sur Lie 2021 Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Ottawa, ON Matt's review: Light gold colour, the nose is clean and fresh with orchard fruit, nectarine, lemon meringue, a touch of pineapple, floral, and wet stone. Medium body, the palate is very fresh and elegant. Orchard fruit, lees, subtle nuttiness, and minerality on the finish. Impressive expression of Four Mile Creek Chardonnay from this... Continue Reading →
#wine review: 2017 Arterra Pinot Noir
Ottawa, ON April 2019 Matt's review: 2017 Arterra Pinot Noir benefits from a touch of appassimento winemaking where a portion of the grapes were carefully set aside and left to dry for a period of time after harvesting, similar to what they do in Valpolicella (Italy) with the iconic Amarone wines, before the partially dehydrated... 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 reviews: Arterra Chardonnay & Pinot Noir 2016
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 my wine segments on CTV. Well earlier this winter I had the pleasure of tasting... Continue Reading →
94 pts #wine review: @StratusWines White 2013 – $38.20 – available @LCBO
Ottawa, ON May 2017 Matt's review: Stratus White represents the finest white wine that this acclaimed Niagara-on-the-Lake winery produces. Winemaker J-L Groux selects the very best grapes from a handful of varieties to incorporate into this premium white wine, and after countless blends, the best representation of the vintage is showcased in the final... Continue Reading →
94 point #wine review: Icellars #Chardonnay 2014 – $35 @fooland60acres #buybythecase
Ottawa, ON April 2017 Matt's review: Burgundy, take note...Ontario is quickly becoming known as the cool-kid on the block! With wines such as Icellars Chardonnay, Ontario is showing the world just how great its wines can be. Icellars 2014 Chardonnay is a remarkably delicious, complex, and beautifully balanced cool-climate Chard, in fact, this is one of... Continue Reading →
Romantic Wine Picks for your Valentine’s date night as seen on CTV Morning Live
February, 2017 Ottawa, ON Today on CTV Morning Live, CTV's Lianne Laing and Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased some sexy wine picks for a romantic Valentine's date night. Check out the video on CTV Morning Live here This year I decided to showcase some of my favourite wines from romantic wine regions, including Niagara, Okanagan Valley, California,... Continue Reading →
