Ottawa, ON February 2024 Matt’s review: Situated in breathtaking Okanagan Falls, Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery offers unparalleled views of the iconic Mount McLellan and Peach Cliff, which define the southern edge of the Okanagan Valley Sub-GI. The terroir of... Continue Reading →
After tasting hundreds of wines, here's my short list of most memorable wines tasted in 2023. Put these on your must-try list for 2024!
Ottawa, ON January 2024 Matt’s review: Situated high up on Golden Mile Bench in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, Hester Creek’s vineyards, including 50+ year old vines, produce expressive wines showcasing the greatness achievable in the Okanagan. Garland 2020... Continue Reading →
Noble Ridge's 2022 Rosé shows ripe orchard fruits, sweet stone fruit, tropical fruit and candied apple with a hint of Okanagan desert herbs. The palate is fresh and lively with a nice weight. Layers of ripe fruit persist on the long finish making this an absolute stunner for patio sipping as well as enjoying with hors d'oeuvres, salads with goat cheese and fresh strawberries, grilled salmon, and roasted chicken with cherry-thyme compote. Enjoy now and over the next two years. Tasted November 2023. 92 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
1 Mill Road's newest offering in their small portfolio of premium wines is their 2022 Chardonnay from the East Kelowna Slopes sub-GI (Okanagan's newest sub-GI which became official in 2022). Clean, crisp, and elegant, the nose revels citrus, delicate pear, wet stone, subtle spice, and a hint of melon. The palate is bright and lively with an elegant creamy texture. Exceptionally well balanced, the finish is long and bright with delicate orchard fruit and minerality persisting. Enjoy with pan seared halibut with a lemon butter sauce. Tasted October 2023 92 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Ottawa, ON October 2023 Matt's review: 1 Mill Road's newest offering in their small portfolio of premium Pinot Noir is Black Pine Pinot Noir 2022 - a single vineyard Pinot from the Black Pine Vineyard at the northern tip of... Continue Reading →
Today on CFRA News Talk Radio, CFRAs Patricia Boal and Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased some of their top recommended wines to enjoy this Thanksgiving and throughout Autumn. From Spanish Cava to Canadian Chardonnay, Riesling, or elegant Ontario Pinot Noir, refreshing Valpolicella Superiore, big and juicy California red blends, Matt’s Autumn-inspired wine recommendations include something for everyone, for every palate, every preference.
Matt's review: Nestled in one of the most picturesque settings you'll discover along the Naramata Bench you'll find 1 Mill Road's 'Home Block' vineyard where they produce their impressive Home Block Pinot Noir. This small vineyard is perched on a cliff above the shores of Lake Okanagan with its sun-drenched southwest aspect that encourages great fruit ripening, but it's the sage-lined amphitheater that sets it apart and plays a major role contributing to the unique terroir of this Okanagan Cru vineyard in-the-making. Home Block is planted exclusively with Dijon Clone 115 producing compact clusters that provide impressive aromatic complexity, finesse, structure, and overall balance in the finished wines. 2020 Home Block shows cherry, savoury dark fruits, herbs, dusty rose petals and earthy notes on the nose. A deeply coloured Pinot, with great aromatic intensity and overall structure, it's medium+ bodied with supple tannins - characteristics from both the Dijon 115 clone and the enhanced fruit-ripening features of the Home Block vineyard which protects from early spring frost and ensures full ripening even in the cooler vintages like 2019. The palate shows spicy and savoury fruit with fine grained tannins persisting on the finish. A Pinot Noir to keep your eyes on and one to look for early to ensure you get access to its very small production. Tasted September 2022 and June 2023, 93+ points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca Look for the next release of Home Block Pinot Noir at 1MillRoad.ca
When it comes to premium Pinot and Chardonnay in the Okanagan, I've always found the vineyards in the centre of the Okanagan, along the Naramata Bench and in Okanagan Falls, consistently produce the finest expressions. One of those top producers in Okanagan Falls is Meyer Family Vineyards. Last fall I had the pleasure of visiting JAK Meyer and the team at Meyer Family Vineyards in Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, Canada. It had been ~5 years since I last visited so it was a real treat to be back in Okanagan Falls sampling JAKs wines from their OK Falls and Naramata Bench vineyards.
Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery made their debut in 2003, initially producing a modest 40 cases of Pinot Noir and 500 cases of Meritage. Now, after two decades of unwavering dedication, Leslie & Jim D'Andrea, the proprietors, continue to thrive and earn numerous accolades. This year marks their 20th anniversary of crafting premium wines at their enchanting winery in Okanagan Falls.
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... 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.
The 2021 GVR Pinot Noir is an outstanding expression of premium Okanagan Pinot. Texture, elegance, expressive and very approachable, this is a pure expression of the Garnet Valley Ranch vineyard terroir.
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... 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
Quercus Vino 