Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Today on CTV Morning Live, CTVs Melissa Lamb and Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased some great wines and spirits for ringing in the New Year.
Today on CFRA News Talk Radio, CFRA Patricia Boal and Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased some great wines and spirits for gifting this season as well as enjoying with family and friends over the holidays. These options will suit every palate and budget, including white, red, and sparkling wines too.
Cloudsley Cellars is situated on the Twenty Mile Bench in Ontario’s Niagara region, where they produce some of the finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir you'll taste. Their Twenty Mile Bench Chardonnay, happens to be their non-single vineyard offering, is absolutely delightful! Wow! So harmonious, flavourful, intriguing. Medium-full bodied with refreshing yellow apple, almond croissant, tropical fruit, and sweet banana chip flavours…oak influence adding some further aromatic, flavour, and textural complexity. It’s a love-at-first-sip wine you’ll fall in love with, well if you’re like me you will . Tasted October 2023. 93 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Rosehall Run's single vineyard 'Righteous Dude' Riesling hails from the Nedelko Vineyard on the Twenty Mile Bench of the Niagara Peninsula. A cold winter saw a reduction of crops in 2022, but those low yields brought great concentration, structure, and balance to the 2022 vintage. Fresh and expressive, this Riesling shows fragrant stone fruit, pear, lychee, and honey on the nose. Repeat on the crisp and off-dry palate with honey, pear, and refreshing minerality persisting. A terrific single vineyard Riesling which will complement a wide range of dishes, especially spicy fare, hors d'oeuvres, Autumn fare, and artisanal cheese boards. Enjoy now and over the next five years. Tasted August 2023. 91 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
