Dream incorporates some appassimento grapes in an expressive and textured Bordeaux blend that's sure to please. 52% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Franc, and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, with a small portion left to wither and concentrate the flavours, the result it a deeply coloured wine with aromas of bramble berry pie, Saskatoon berry crumble, anise, dark plum, chocolate orange, and herbs. The palate highlights the fleshy dark fruit, more plum, and dark chocolate with fine tannins leading to a refreshing and finely textured finish. A great wine to enjoy with bold BBQ, Mexican chicken mole, or wood fired pizza. Tasted October 2024. 91 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
wine review: Foreign Affair Winery – The Conspiracy 2020
2020 was a great vintage in Niagara and this wine highlights that with delicious fruit and structure. Conspiracy is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 15% Petit Verdot, and 7% Cabernet Franc where the base wine is re-passed over their appassimento Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes after they're pressed. This ultimately boosts the wine's body, flavours, and textures, producing a wine with impressive complexity for the price. Look for rich dark fruits, dark cherry, raspberry tarts, herbs, and graphite minerality. Medium-full bodied with a creamy texture, this wine over-delivers on price and quality. Enjoy with BBQ fare, beef tacos, pizza, and hearty stewed dishes too. Tasted September 2024. 90+ points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Top Rated Orange Wines to try this Autumn
Today on CTV Morning Live and CFRA News Talk 580, Sommelier Matt Steeves was introducing us to the latest trend in the premium wine scene … Orange wine!
wine review: Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling 2022: A Winemaker’s Rebellion with a Touch of Class
Black Sheep Riesling—a wine that’s as delightfully rebellious as it is refined. Featherstone has once again proven that breaking from the herd can lead to extraordinary results. This vintage continues the label’s tradition of delivering a high-scoring, value-priced Riesling that’s nothing short of spectacular.
Wine review: Featherstone Rosé 2023 available at LCBO Sept 21
Featherstone Rosé 2023 from Niagara, Ontario, continues to impress as a fan favorite, offering exceptional value at $16.95. This vintage expertly blends 41% Cabernet Franc, 31% Merlot, and 28% Gewurztraminer, showcasing the diverse bounty of Niagara’s vineyards. The nose is a fragrant bouquet of cherry, herbs, red apple, and strawberry-rhubarb pie, complemented by floral blossoms and juicy Jolly Rancher bonbons. On the palate, it’s beautifully balanced with a hint of sweetness, delivering layers of ripe cherry and fresh strawberries, while strawberry preserve lingers on a long, creamy finish. This rosé is perfect for pairing with Thanksgiving meals or your favorite spicy dishes, and should be served chilled. Tasted September 2024. 90 points - Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca Available at LCBO - $16.95 September 21, 2024
Bachelder 2022 Gamay – Wismer-Foxcroft Single Vineyard, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Ontario
Thomas Bachelder always seems to be working with the best vineyards in each region to produce his award winning wines. That certainly is the case for Bachelder's 2022 Gamay Noir from Craig Wismer's Foxcroft Vineyard. 13% ABV and 34% whole cluster pressed. Released in Spring 2024, the 2022 Gamay Noir is a light ruby colour, and the nose shows bright cherry, tart raspberry, savoury herbs and and fresh cut hay, with distinct flinty minerality aromas - a very complex bouquet with great intensity. The palate is harmonious, beautifully integrated dark cherry, herbs, and spices with a refreshing and lively profile, the great acidity and delicate polished tannins inviting a savoury autumn dish to complement the experience. Showing beautifully now and structured to age gracefully, suggest enjoying over the next five (possibly ten) years with creamy mushroom risotto, beef Stroganoff or grilled lamb with a cherry reduction. Tasted July 2024. 93 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca Available winery-direct $33
Premium Burgundy Alternative You Need To Taste… and it’s not Pinot Noir… or from France.
Thomas Bachelder is renowned for his focus on producing ultra premium single vineyard wines throughout the Niagara Peninsula. Although Thomas produces some of the best and most sought after single vineyard Pinot and Chardonnay in Ontario, his latest project includes 9 single vineyard expressions of Gamay Noir from the Niagara region that highlight the great 2022 vintage. One that particularly impressed me was his newest single vineyard Gamay Noir from Corey Mio's Lincoln Lakeshore Sub Appellation vineyard in Beamsville, Ontario, located just below the Beamsville Bench.
World-Class Canadian Wines for Canada Day as seen on CTV Morning Live
Today on CTV Morning Live (and later on CFRA News Talk 580), Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased an impressive line-up of world-class wines from all across Canada that highlight how vibrant the Canadian wine scene has become.
wine review: Dobbin Estate Dry Riesling 2019 – Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, ON
This is one of the most exciting wine projects to emerge in the premium wine scene in Ontario. Dobbin Estates is located along the renowned Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation of Ontario's Niagara Peninsula.
Cheers to the New Year – Sommelier Matt Steeves’ NYE Wine and Spirits Recommendations as seen on CTV Morning Live
Today on CTV Morning Live, CTVs Melissa Lamb and Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased some great wines and spirits for ringing in the New Year.
